The Stack of Cards

As we come upon a full year since we arrived in Romania, Carolyn and I cannot help but look back over the last year and reflect on all that has happened during this time.  We are also forced to look to the future as we face a year of many changes and another trans-atlantic move.  It amazes me that only a year ago we arrived in this country with a few belongings and established a home. We tried to avoid accumulating any unnecessary possessions, but we still feel like we ended up with a ton of extra “stuff”.

As I look through all our stuff, one group of items catches my eye; and that is a collection of cards that were mailed to us from friends and family.  The reason this stack jumps out at me is because it’s so tall!  We have over five inches of birthday, anniversary, baby, encouragement, and Christmas cards (and even an empty envelope of which the contents didn’t quite make it!).  The time and effort that went into each individual card reassures me of deep relationships and love of those who want to show us that we’re not forgotten even across the world!  And that stack doesn’t even include the emails, care packages, and baby gifts that we received!

We were told that the calling of a full-time missionary puts you into a very vulnerable and lonely position because of things like cross-culture living, and culture and language barriers. But also that through the partnerships of individuals and churches that we were not going into the mission field alone. This stack of cards represents our “home team”, and the joy that we’ve experienced through those at home participating in this work with us through prayers and financial partnership. It’s very easy for us on the difficult days to become discouraged in missing our friends and family back home. But in this stack are the cards that we received often on the days that we were feeling extra lonely or discouraged. We thank God for prompting these individuals to send us a special note of encouragement just at the right time. If we’re the hands and feet of Christ, the writers of these cards were the veins supplying the life-blood to the Body’s extremities.

Some have expressed to us disappointment when they wish they could partner with us to a greater extent financially. And to them we’d like to say that we’re so thankful that they give what they can. But we want you to know, that just as much as we’ve prayed and trusted God to provide finances, food, and clothing – we’ve also depended on him to provide relationships through his Body. So “thank you” for your partnership in every way. And especially to everyone who has sent us a message of encouragement over this last year.  You cannot imagine the joy and encouragement that you gave to us.  We are so thankful that the Lord has united us together in this mission.