Well Done

Almost 27 years ago, a family living in Orlando, Florida said "Yes" to God and to full-time missions and moved to west Africa. This past Monday night, Marc's parents were honoured at a special dinner in Africa for their years of service with the IMB. They leave in Africa in just over a week and will be "retiring" to the Atlanta, Georgia area. We so wish we could've been there to celebrate them! Marc wrote a letter to them that was read at the dinner and with his and their permission, I'm posting it here for you to read. Get your kleenex.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I guess Jeffrey and I are among the few who have been with you from the very beginning of this journey. And what a journey it has been. I will never forget the day that you told us that we were going to move to Africa. Even as a 10 year old, I remember feelings of despair and excitement all at the same time. I hated it and loved it. You were pulling me away from the thing I loved most at the time. Our new pool in the backyard. Little did I know that while I was giving up my beloved pool, I would be gaining the ocean! And so much more! There were many times over the following years when I seriously thought I was dreaming and that I would eventually wake up in my bed in Casselberry. Now 26 years later, if it is a dream, I don't want to ever wake up. I would not trade a single moment.

Were there difficult moments? Absolutely. Saying goodbye to family and friends long before the days of the internet was excruciating. Being placed in a French public school with very few who spoke any english at all was terrifying. Cobras, spiders and rats! But oh there were so many wonderful moments as well. Being fluent in French after 3 months. (Well, me and Jeffrey at least.) ;-) The many places we have visited and seen on vacations. The people we have met along the way who have become our family. What a journey!

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that, had you not been obedient to God's call on your life, I would not be the person that I am today. Africa wouldn't hold the special place in my heart that it does today. My view of God's world wouldn't be the same as it is today. I am so very thankful for you both and I'm so very proud of you. I know that you have not had it easy all the time. But you have remained faithful to God's call on your lives and I'm a product of that. Just this last week, I heard a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that has always been my favorite song of his. It's called For the Sake of the Call. Here's some of the lyrics from that song:

Once we hear the Savior's call we'll follow wherever he leads

Because of the love He has shown

And because he has called us to go we will answer


We will abandon it all for the sake of the call

No other reason at all but the sake of the call

Wholly devoted to live and to die


Not for the sake of a creed or a cause

Not for a dream or a promise

Simply because it is Jesus who calls

And if we believe we'll obey


Thank you for answering Jesus' call and obeying. I would not be where I am today had it not been for your example. I love you both so very much.

I know that Jesus will tell you this face to face one day, but I'll say it to you now. "Well done!" And I'm proud to call you Mom and Dad.

For the sake of the Call,

Marc


I remember the first time I met Marc at Ouachita Baptist University. He told me all about growing up in Africa and by the way he spoke of this country, I knew he loved it dearly and called it home. He told me of his beloved swimming pool too. Several years ago we had the opportunity to go to Senegal to visit the house he grew up in. It was quite emotional for me (let's be honest, everything is emotionally for me!) standing in his old bedroom looking out (literally) on the Atlantic Ocean. The view from his room was something else! He quite literally gave up his pool for the ocean. His stories of diving off cliffs and spear fishing still give me the chills! "See this scar on my hand? One time this giant hook went through my hand and I was about to pass out on this cliff, it was awesome!" He would without a doubt tell you that growing up in Africa was awesome!

Thank you to Marc's parents for their servant hearts and for saying "Yes" to God's call all those years ago. Thank you for raising such a wonderful man. We're praying for you as you adjust to life in the States again! Just think- air conditioning!

It gives me great hope for my girls. This is no Africa, but it is a different culture and my prayer is that our girls thrive like Marc and his brother did.

Posterous theme by Cory Watilo