With everything that has happened here in the last two plus weeks, it’s hard to imagine continuing on with plans as usual. However, no matter how changed our lives may be, at some point many of us have to fulfill the commitments we’ve already made. Ryan and his wife, Meg, are headed out onto the mission field as scheduled at the beginning of June and we were able to pray over them and send them out as a church this morning. It’s hard to go somewhere knowing how much need there is in Tuscaloosa, but the need worldwide hasn’t silenced either. Even in a time like this, we as a body need to continue to find the balance of serving our hometown and serving the world.
Ryan and Meg have never been to this country, they don’t know the language, they don’t know much about the culture, and they’re not completely sure what this summer will hold for them. It sounds like my kind of trip. Luckily for them, they have family awaiting them in the country and they’re excited about having the chance to serve alongside their family and see all that is going on out there. As I talked to them earlier today to see what the trip was all about and see how they were feeling about it, I could tell this trip might be a little bit outside of their comfort zone. Well, how can you be comfortable heading to a country that isn’t receptive to the work you’re doing and you also know little to nothing about them? Only God can prepare you for that.
These two are packing up and heading to her hometown this week and will finish up the final preparations for heading over there. They will try to raise the last of their money (if you want to financially support someone, they would be a good couple to support, so let me know…) and try to prepare spiritually and mentally as best they can. I could actually relate to them in traveling to this country and was blessed that they asked for my advice and heads up on the country. The one thing I told them, as I would any person that is headed overseas, is to pray and prepare before ever setting foot on the plane. In America, everything is so loud that we rarely see spiritual warfare in our daily lives. Pretty much everywhere else in the world faces very obvious spiritual warfare constantly and that’s a tough transition to make.
I’m excited to hear from Ryan and Meg when they return because while all the experiences are unique, people tend to come back with great stories and excited for change. These two will be gone for the entire summer and will be working with the youth of this country – I haven’t named it for a reason – while seeing what God has planned for them and their marriage. As I’ve seen (not experienced obviously), the mission field can be such an interesting place for a marriage. It’s a joy when two like minded people can share an experience like this together and it really helps strengthen and challenge a marriage. I’m sure they will have stories to tell as they travel out to see what God is doing elsewhere.
Please pray for this couple as they head out. It can’t be easy to leave this town like this. I’m already fighting it as I’m less than two weeks from heading out again. It’s not an easy place to leave, especially when you call it home. But, for Meg and Ryan, they know this is where they need to go. Again, one more push. If you have the ability or calling to support them financially, please pray about it and I can get you in touch with them. Despite having so much to do at home, we can still take the chance to joyfully send people out.
