Can't Wait

One of the sweetest couples you could ever meet, are a part of out church...and in fact, are missionaries to Africa.  They have been stateside for the past year, maybe closer to two, until a month ago this past Tuesday, when the wife succumbed to Glory, after a long battle with MS.

My heart goes out to her husband, and the three boys, the oldest who serves in the US Armed Forces, the middle is about to enlist, if he hasn't already, and the youngest, still in middle school.

The husband spoke at our men's ministry meeting this past Monday and among his remarks on missions and the situation in Africa, was the sentiment "I can't wait to go back".

I've tried to imagine my life without my wife. You think you might be okay, but it's one of those things, you'll never know unless or when it happens. My heart goes out to my friend...and his wife, the dearest and one of the most beautiful souls to grace this fallen world.

Among my friends' remarks during that meeting, were the opportunities he passed up during Africa because of his wife's condition. I shared moments later, a thought I had weeks prior, that her passing would allow a release and an empowerment for him to accomplish for the kingdom what the disease had challenged. It's just one of those things...when it's that kind of a situation, a whole list of things get shuffled, wait-listed or unattended altogether. The downside of not being in two places at once; which simply emphasizes the point, that, wherever you are; be all there.

Pray for missionaries around the globe. The challenges are great and complex and any health issues, let alone, something like MS...I can't imagine the frustrating and mental and emotional taxing that must take, while trying to accomplish eternal tasks. Pray for strength and wisdom. Energy and discernment. Pray for renewed vision and sense of purpose, especially for this friend; focused and ready, yet still recognizing his life is forever changed by the loss of his wife and the mother of his sons. Pray for encouragement and provision, and for my friend and many like him, healing for mind, soul and spirit as he grieves...but not as those without hope. Pray his hope is restored, to overflowing, that he might give to those on the mission field.

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