Even as the LORD whispered this title to me, I was not thrilled at all. I also whispered back to HIM, “People will not like this. They could even be offended.” In our dialogue, HE was asking me, “Who is this season really about?”
Yesterday, a newly placed missionary was reminiscing about all the marvelous sights, sounds and experiences of this season. She was waxing line upon line. Abruptly, she had multiple emojis of crying and dismay. As she was running excitedly down memory lane, reality intersected her, and stopped her like a brick wall.
This Thanksgiving and Christmas, she will be so far from everything familiar that she might as well be on another planet, or in another galaxy. We prepare, train, and answer the tender loving call of GOD to go to other lands to take HIS heart and truth. We get so swept up in our love relationship with HIM. Those we are being assigned to reach overwhelm our thoughts and actions.
Our training and prep might be done in a city or state far from our home. Surroundings and sounds are new but still familiar. After all, this is still America. A phone call, or break in training to spend time with family is afforded us.
The suitcases, new clothes, gifts from friends, and things to share in our new world are in place. Dressed in our best, with our new wardrobe, and armed with gifts, excitement and anticipation we head to the airport. Courage and strength sustain us to our destination.
New everything- people, sights, language, food, and culture - keeps us engaged and pushes our past life to the background. So much to do, learn, and absorb: we have little time for thinking about missing home and all we held dear.
Facebook posts from your family and friends begin to be overwhelming seasonal. Cookies by the tray, decorated trees, snow, and everything Christmas and holidays are impossible to avoid. When you are thousands of miles from home, this feels so isolating. An ache enters your soul, and you may question your decision and maybe regret that that life is passing you by.
People who have gone through separation, loss, or grief know the extreme pain of a holiday like Christmas. Our minds can be our worst enemy making presumptions and assumptions. The ache screams louder than reason. We who have survived these experiences know so well how to encourage, pray, and carry our dear fellow sojourners in this time. JESUS knows this the best.
I will be in Kenya for Christmas and for every event or milestone in the next year. I spent every other Christmas with my family and friends here. The others I spend with my loved ones in Kenya. I remember one holiday being in the bush with drought, famine, no power, and no sounds or sights of Christmas. Phoning home, I heard the laughter and sounds of Christmas. I thought I would be crushed under the weight of the ‘ouch’. My precious BRIDEGROOM came and began to minister and speak to me. HE was with FATHER, HOLY SPIRIT, and all the angels in heaven since time began. HE was never separated from all HE loved. Yet HE chose to come as a baby placed in the womb of a virgin. A scandalous pregnancy requiring an angel to convince Joseph to marry her. Imagine the gossip, and his questioning and courage. Unprecedented! No virgin can be pregnant.
JESUS was being jostled on a donkey in his mother’s womb on the way to a strange city with no home to call his own, no relatives to lend you a room, no time for hotel reservations. Really, a smelly stable? GOD entrusted the hope of man to this couple, in this setting.
Born in a stable with surrounded by animals, with shepherds and angels coming to call. Before a routine of sleep and feeding is established, rumors and threats were being carried out. All male babies were being ripped from the arms of moms and dads. On the run now to a strange land where your ancestors had been enslaved.
As HE ministered this to me, I realized HE had suffered this for me. HE was asking me to now drink from the cup of suffering for the sake of redemption for those HE called me to minister to. I cannot express how this moved me.
Isaiah 53:4-9
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows[a] that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
5 But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
the sins of us all.
7 He was oppressed and treated harshly,
yet he never said a word.
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,
he did not open his mouth.
8 Unjustly condemned,
he was led away.[b]
No one cared that he died without descendants,
that his life was cut short in midstream.[c]
But he was struck down
for the rebellion of my people.
9 He had done no wrong
and had never deceived anyone.
We do not equate Christmas with suffering. We have the cultural mindset to focus on gifts, family gatherings, and parties. Yet through these lenses, we can make out the cross looming beyond the stable.
There is no guilt if you are surrounded by all those you love and things familiar. Enjoy to the fullest! Drink in sounds and sights! Lock them in your memory. Just please pray for those laying in hospital beds, military stationed on the front lines, or your missionaries who chose to cross the seas and labor in HIS vineyard of choice.
Peaceful Protest
7/6/2020 9:55:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Piercings
7/2/2020 11:40:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Unshareable Glory
6/24/2020 1:20:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Ancient Roots
6/16/2020 4:25:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Perfect Love
6/9/2020 5:00:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Mountains Tossed into the Sea
6/1/2020 1:00:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Genesis of Nations
5/26/2020 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Torchbearers
5/18/2020 10:55:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Trilling and Aflutter
5/12/2020 12:00:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Mchungaji
5/5/2020 3:40:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Mountain Top to Mountain Top in Lockdown
4/29/2020 1:00:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Observations from the Shadows
4/21/2020 2:00:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
He Called It! His Fast!
4/13/2020 2:30:00 PM by: Hannah S.Hunter
When Being Passed Over is Good
4/7/2020 12:30:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Alternate New Normal
4/2/2020 9:00:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Nor'easter Wheels Within Wheels
3/24/2020 6:00:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Stillness- the posture of Reshaping and Remolding
3/17/2020 5:00:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Dwelling in the Everlasting Flow
3/10/2020 5:30:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Godly Reprimand, Removal of Shame, and Redemptive Restoration
3/3/2020 4:00:00 AM by: hannah hunter
Essential Oil is Love
2/25/2020 5:00:00 AM by: hannah hunter
Going Into the Deeper....
2/17/2020 12:00:00 PM by: hannah hunter
Feet of Your Soul
2/11/2020 6:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Activating Our Children
2/3/2020 11:00:00 AM by: hannah hunter
Vigilant Observations
1/28/2020 6:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Commander in Chief
1/21/2020 6:00:00 AM by: hannah hunter
Heights of Hope
1/16/2020 7:35:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Shepherds Shielding in Storms
12/12/2019 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Shepherds Shielding in Storms
12/12/2019 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
How did Jesus Celebrate His Birthday on Earth?
11/27/2019 4:00:00 PM by: Hannah Hunter
Paul and Pauline in this Season
11/19/2019 6:30:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
A Day in the life of an Expat in Kenya
11/11/2019 2:00:00 PM by: Hannah Hunter
Conquerors in the Nest
10/30/2019 3:00:00 PM by: Hannah Hunter
A Look at Fear
2/22/2019 10:37:00 PM by: Zach Hunter
The Beauty of the Cross
2/15/2019 11:45:00 PM by: Zach Hunter
Turning Disgust into Grace
2/8/2019 11:10:00 PM by: Zach Hunter
Take My Faith
1/12/2019 5:17:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Love is really REALLY hard (but totally worth it)
1/5/2019 8:05:00 PM by: Zach Hunter
Is He Lost or Am I?
12/29/2018 6:30:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Pointing Fingers
12/22/2018 6:00:00 AM by: Zach Hunter
Sold Out Slaves
12/15/2018 6:30:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Stirring Deep Wells
12/1/2018 12:20:00 PM by: Tyler Robertson
Seasonal Suffering
11/24/2018 6:30:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
God's Play Room
11/17/2018 6:55:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Voting Day
11/10/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Homework
11/3/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
The Way
10/21/2018 6:50:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Battle Fronts
10/6/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
True Love
9/22/2018 6:45:00 PM by: Tyler Robertson
Mapacha "The Twins"
9/15/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Venomous Snakes Thwarted
9/10/2018 2:30:00 PM by: Hannah Hunter
In His Arms
9/1/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Follow Love’s Thread
8/25/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Remanded Rest
8/18/2018 8:40:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Clueless Obedience
8/11/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Same Old Days
8/4/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
A Child of Mine
7/29/2018 1:00:00 PM by: Tyler Robertson
He is I Am
7/24/2018 11:40:00 PM by: Tyler Robertson
Joy's Calm
7/7/2018 8:55:00 PM by: Tyler Robertson
The Dire Hour
6/30/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Joyful Warriors for the Kingdom
6/23/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Daughters of the Mountain
6/16/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Daniel and Malicious Intent
6/9/2018 12:35:00 PM by: Hannah Hunter
Forge Me
6/2/2018 10:30:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Grieving Grace
5/26/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
His Revelation
5/19/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Micaiah - I Stand With Him!
5/12/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
The Sense of God
5/5/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Removing Junk from your Treasure Chest.
4/28/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
To know the pain.
4/21/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Meeting my Maker
4/14/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Stop! In the name of Love!
4/7/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
For Such a Time
3/31/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Rejoice in the Fear!
3/24/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
In the Blood
3/17/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Can't Fight the Need
3/10/2018 12:15:00 PM by: Tyler Robertson
In Everything
3/3/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Let Freedom Ring
2/24/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
IT'S Coming.
2/17/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Nailed It!
2/10/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Complacency Kills
2/3/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Measure of Faith
1/27/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Darkest of Nights
1/20/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Destination: Church Unknown
1/13/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Peace 2018
1/6/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Blessed Are the Servant Healers
12/30/2017 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Honoring HIS Wishes
12/23/2017 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
How is Your Shine?
12/16/2017 7:00:00 AM by: Lori Meed
Beatrice-Bringer of Joy
12/9/2017 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Smooth Stones
11/18/2017 10:42:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Littered Valley
11/11/2017 10:40:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
What Happened to the Church?
11/4/2017 10:34:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Antithesis of Rage
10/28/2017 10:29:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Truth Prevails
10/21/2017 10:18:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
False Pretenses
10/11/2017 12:43:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Eye of the Needle
10/11/2017 12:24:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Wells Every Where
9/11/2017 1:01:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Underestimated Army
9/11/2017 12:59:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Third World Eyes
9/11/2017 12:57:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Songs of Joy in Drudgery
9/11/2017 12:53:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Spirit of Sanballat
8/11/2017 12:55:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Guardian in the Night
8/11/2017 12:45:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Sacredness from Kenya’s Wilderness
7/11/2017 12:49:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Pause
11/7/2016 1:33:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Perception, Prayers and Purpose
11/7/2016 1:32:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Tribes
11/7/2016 1:29:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Take Courage!
10/21/2016 1:34:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Kenya Elections 2017
10/12/2016 12:48:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Define Rest and Refuge
10/11/2016 2:47:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Soaring or Sailing
10/11/2016 2:46:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Life Threatening Worms
10/11/2016 2:45:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Mapacha, The Twins, and Micronutrients
10/11/2016 2:45:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Angel Awareness
10/10/2016 2:48:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
When Seasons Come Too Early
8/6/2016 2:49:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
RVP (Restoration Village Project) Kilgoris, Kenya
6/15/2016 2:50:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Kinsman Redeemer
1/23/2016 2:53:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Free Flow, Clarity, and Airlift
1/16/2016 2:53:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Synergy
1/9/2016 2:54:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Wilderness Base Camp
1/2/2016 2:55:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
The General’s Tent – 2015 Posts
12/29/2015 2:56:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Control Held by None
12/25/2015 2:58:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Qualifications for Vessels of Honor
12/19/2015 2:59:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
