The Tensions of a Missionary Calling

The playlist below has the latest episode of  "A Place Missionaries Call Home."  This is the radio show that is following Scott and I on our journey to the mission field.  As I listened to the completed episode tonight I realized how many different ways people in our lives are pulled by our call to missions.  We are not walking this journey in a vacuum; it is a journey with a lot of passengers.  I am glad you are part of the journey.

Consider, first our family - even within our immediate family there is the tension between being a parent to Zach (almost 20 years old and will stay here in the states) as he tries his wings of adulthood and our desire to get to Spain as soon as possible.

The tension with Scott's mom and Cindy's parents as they want their children to be obedient to God's calling while at the same time want their grandchildren to at least be on the same continent as them (and maybe their children a little bit too).

The tension with our pastor as he considers it a privilege to help a family surrender to full time missions and yet at the same time is losing a staff member.   Or consider the tension he feels as serving as a trustee of one mission sending agency while one of his staff members and family has been appointed with a different agency.

The tension Scott feels as he is excited about where God is taking him and his family and yet as an employee to a secular company he is not free to discuss this change with excitement for the future.

The tension SEND International experiences as they receive repeated requests to place more families on the mission field and yet at times having to turn families away.

When we surrendered to missions no one prepared us for all the emotions that were ahead.  Thank you for your support and interest as we travel this journey.   We never know what is going to be around the next curve.