Vaya Con Dios, Ryan and Sarah The fact that Grundy Street’s two newest missionaries are part of my family has much to do with my writing this. Please indulge me a partly-personal message. I am proud of the nobility of spirit that motivates these, my children, to venture from their homeland to minister to the people of Cusco, Peru. I am not sure I could do it. Part of me will miss them terribly! Selfishly, don’t we all wish to keep close those dear to us? I think of Hannah, of Old Testament fame. She had no child; but she promised the Lord that if he would grant her a son she would lend him to the Lord, (1 Samuel 1:28). So, little Samuel went to live with Eli. There he served God with honor and fidelity. Hannah knew that “children are a heritage of the Lord,” (Psalm 127:3). She entrusted him to the Lord who had blessed her with a child. In a very real way, all of our children are “on loan” from God. He grants them to us for a brief time to nurture and to bring up in such way that they will love Him and cling to Him. Now He reclaims them for His service. My prayer for any child—whether in a foreign mission field, or near to his birth-place—is that he serve the Lord faithfully. Solomon, by Inspiration, teaches us, Ecclesiastes 12:13 – Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. No matter the manner or place in which we serve the Lord, let us be found faithful (1st Corinthians 4:2). The Spanish language has a beautiful expression when parting from a friend. It is “Vaya con Dios,” or “Go with God.” It means that we wish for those separated from us by the miles that they keep a close relationship with our Maker. For when one is right with God, it is enough (Romans 8:31). Sarah and Ryan, Que Dios te acompañe en el Perú y en todas partes. (God be with you in Peru and everywhere). Your earthly family and your Grundy Street family love you very much. — Dad
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 19:42:12 +0000