How long does it take?

I was recently reading about Jim Elliot. He was a missionary to Ecuador. When he first decided to go to Ecuador to serve (from what I read) he was really excited to get in the trenches to share God's love. Instead, he arrived in Ecuador to hostile villagers.

He first spent time learning the language. Months of training.

Knowing that the villagers were hostile, he couldn't just walk up to them. He devised a plan to get to know the villagers first. He had a plane fly over the village, and he dropped down supplies and gifts from the plane. While giving gifts, he used his newly acquired language to yell words of encouragement, greetings, and information about why he was there. Again, months and months.

He was finally able to get into the village and meet the villagers. He was finally able to begin the work he came to do. How long he had waited!

This story made me think of the work at The Crossing. Great news! We do not have to drop boxes from planes. The bad news... We cannot just jump in and do our work. First, prayer, prayer, prayer. How do we know where we are to go? How do we know which students we are supposed to reach? Second, we have to learn the language. Wow. This is a tricky one. I am not just thinking about the language but about really knowing someone. We need to learn about the lives being led, the aspirations, the issues. This takes time and perseverance. Finally, finally... the work can begin. It is just plain messy. It can be painful; it can be rewarding.

I think that reading about Jim Elliot reminded me one more time that working at The Crossing is not a job. It is first and foremost a missionary calling.

The End

Here he is on his first day of kindergarten. Made me cry a little to look at this sweet face so little, so happy, so innocent.

I thought I should talk about the end. Yes, the end of an era. William graduated elementary school this week. He is officially a middle schooler now. How is that possible? People always say, "It goes so fast." Isn't it funny how sometimes it feels like the time is slowly ticking by while managing temper tantrums, doing homework, daily tasks, and just life. Other moments flash before me, and I am looking at my pre-teen and thinking, "How?"

I am so proud of him. I have to admit that I am really nervous about him going to middle school. Organization is not his strength. He is still very small for his age. I just want to protect him. On the other hand, he is really excited about band, sports, and having a locker.

Middle School is the turning point, I think. Having taught middle school, I know this is where kids make big decisions on what they will do, who they will follow, and how far they are willing to go to get friends. What will he choose?

My prayer today is that he will remember what we taught him, that he will be comfortable in his own skin, and that he will find the right path. He is growing up so fast.