What if we loved like Dzintra?

What if we loved like Dzintra? We are finally in Riga, Latvia, back home, so to speak. We haven’t been here in three years and the waves of emotion were overwhelming as we flew over the country yesterday. Driving down the streets? More memories, more emotion. So many good things happened in our time here, a few hard times were experienced as well but they were life-changing and hopefully molded our character for the future.

We have rented another airbnb for our stay in Riga. Insert shameless plug here: If you haven’t tried airbnb, you must! We have had total success with it but I venture to say that is because I go by REVIEWS; I read them all. And I pour over their pictures, enlarging them if I have to. Yes, I am that person. But I digress.

So, this particular rental is another where you rent out the entire apartment or home. You don’t want to share with a stranger but some do not seem to mind that. I would definitely mind. This lovely couple here in Riga actually has two homes on this property that could be divided up into four! One home was their parents, now deceased, and the other is their own. They live upstairs in one and rent the downstairs and we are in one next door and have an entire apartment and garden, patio, etc., to ourselves. Two bedrooms, an office, beautiful bathroom with double rain shower, large living room and fully functional kitchen. It is just perfect, so clean and very comfortable. Why would you get a hotel when you can have an entire apartment?!

Upon our arrival, we met Dzintra, who is Russian. She didn’t shake my hand, she hugged my neck and I knew right then we were going to get along fine. I cannot get over her infectious smile and the way we were greeted even though we were total strangers. How did she know we weren’t crazy Americans that had flown across the ocean to steal her blind?! Okay, a little much with the drama, but still. It is a lot to allow people you do not know to stay on your property and come and go as they please.

Back to Dzintra. She hugged me and then clasped my hand between hers and with that smile again, said, “I am so very happy to have you here with me!” And I knew she meant it. This is an older couple, persuaded by their son, who lives in Prague, to open their home as an airbnb. Did he ever nail retirement for these two; it is their calling. You can genuinely tell they enjoy what they do and look forward to interacting with their guests.

But it was that smile, that make-you-feel-at-home smile that has me writing today. Watching her greet us as if the way she treated us decided her internal well being made me consider a few things:

When we meet someone for the first time, do we react as Dzintra?
Does the smile on the inside ooze out and spill over to the outside?
Do we greet newcomers in our church the way Dzintra welcomed us?
Do we make them truly feel that they are not only wanted but that we will do everything in our power to see them connect and succeed?
Do we make it easy for them to come back or do we make them uncomfortable because, since we don’t know what to say, we don’t say anything and we make the situation totally AWK-ward?
Maybe most importantly, do we truly care that they have come to our church, or just entered our world, and do we show to them that compassion, concern and care?
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18

Perhaps you have been in the newcomers shoes. It is difficult enough to be the stranger, everyone stares, that is a given. Then you make the uncomfortable stroll toward the greeter, praying they are not too friendly but that they don’t give you the dead fish handshake either. You are just silently praying they will not overdo it but won’t leave you feeling worse than when you arrived.

So, what if we greeted others at church, or meeting them for the first time, as Dzintra greeted us? “I’m so very happy you are here…you are going to love our church and our people. How can I make you feel at home today? What can I get for you and your family? I will be here if you need ANYTHING.”

And then, mean it. Do it. Own it. Like a boss.

Check on them again, and again without smothering them. A good hostess does that. She comes back instead of just saying, “If you need anything, let me know!” She actually makes the effort to return and see if she missed anything or if the guest thought of something they missed or needed answered. The good hostess tries to anticipate what the guests are thinking and knows that this is a situation that will pass but it is crucial that she treat them with love and respect.

Friend, if you are going to be a greeter, BE a greeter. Don’t stand in the doorway where they can’t get in without having to brush up against you…yikes! Don’t give them a fish handshake. Just don’t. Grip it firmly and quickly, don’t hang on to their hand forever. Welcome them, smile and mean it! If it is your job to make sure they have a visitor card, help them with those things but don’t throw so much of the welcoming kit at them that they can’t carry it and don’t expect them to stand there in the doorway and fill out the card. And then point them to the right direction. If they have children, they are wondering where to take them. Maybe they don’t know where to sit, greeters and ushers should be all over this!

One of the worst things about walking in a church for the first time is running the gauntlet. Yes, it can truly feel that way since some churches not only have a greeter but the greeter has friends that hang around and hang around the front door talking with the greeter about their weekend and if the visitor is fortunate, they will stop long enough to say, “Welcome to First Church” and then right back to the hole in one they didn’t get or the fish that got away. Then you have to make your way past ten limp handshakes and half-hearted and awkward “hello’s”. Ugh.

Of course it is not the easiest thing in the world to meet a stranger or have conversation with someone you have never met before. And, it is not the sole responsibility of the GREETER to befriend a newcomer! It is the responsibility of us ALL to make sure anyone and everyone is comfortable worshipping with us.

But if you ooze Jesus, if that Christ-like spirit that dwells on the INSIDE cannot but help to spill over to the OUTSIDE, others will be drawn to you, as we were to Dzintra. And you will just know that even though this new journey might not be easy, you have at least one friend who is going to do everything that they can to make it smoother for you and you are going to be loved to pieces in the meantime.

Doogalas (The Sweetheart) was trying to convey to Dzintra that we were leaving to go for dinner and would be back shortly, how do we open and close the gate, what about the key, etc., etc. He was throwing way too many questions, and talking way too fast, for her to understand his English. I could see the bewilderment on her face and when he finally stops talking she looked at me and said, “My English is not so good, but he speaks too fast for me to understand. But do not worry, I will get it!”

Yes, she will. I have no doubt.

Never discount what a child can accomplish for the Kingdom!

Never discount what a child can accomplish for the Kingdom!

The only person who dares wake up a king for glass of water at 3 a.m. is a child. We have that kind of access. ~Tim Keller

I am so excited to bring you a soul-stirring, true story from my friend, Kim Buerky. I met Kim when we pastored in NW Missouri and she was truly a bright spot in my life at that time. She and her husband were also pastors in the same city and they were instrumental in bringing several ministers and their wives together for fellowship, all different denominations! Kim opened her home and her heart and just loved on us all. Several days ago, on Facebook, I posted the following: “Does anyone else turn up the radio when the song gets to “What a POWERFUL Name it is!”?? In reference to the song by Hillsong Worship, “What a Beautiful Name it is”. Kim private messaged me with the following true story. I promise you won’t want to start reading without a box of tissues; you have been warned! Be blessed…

My husband and I recently traveled to Louisville, Kentucky for a family reunion on my dad’s side of the family. We have family in Georgia, Kentucky and Missouri. Louisville is the middle location for all of us to gather. It is also the home of my uncle, aunt, his two grown sons and their families. One of his sons, Darren, and his wife Jenna, pastor a multi-cultural church in Louisville.

Darren and Jenna have two teenagers of their own but felt a great calling to also be adoptive parents. A couple years back, they adopted a seven year old girl from the Philippines and then, just seven months ago, adoption was final and they brought a seven year old little boy from China, who also is blind!

Joshua adapted to his new family and America immediately. He has embraced the language and culture change successfully. He attends regular classes at school. They have many resources for the visually impaired so Joshua has learned braille and to speak English very well in his short time in America.

Joshua loves to go to church and has asked Jesus into his heart! This little boy has such a sweet, gentle spirit about him. He has learned many songs at home, and in church, with one of his favorites being, What A Beautiful Name It Is. He loves to sing! Joshua rides a school bus to and from school with just one other visually impaired boy.

On the last day of school this year, Darren went to meet Joshua at the bus stop. The bus driver told Darren how much he had enjoyed having Joshua ride his bus. He said, “I can tell from all the songs he sings that you all are a Christian family.” He and Darren talked some more and the bus driver began to share some of the songs that Joshua would sing on the bus. He had even gone home and looked some of them up to see who sang them.

While sharing his heart, the driver started to cry and said, “I was raised in a Christian home but have walked away from God, but when Joshua would sing the song, What A Beautiful Name It Is…….What a Powerful Name It Is……The Name Of Jesus, I could feel something stir inside of me telling me I needed to get back into church and start serving God again!”

“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” Mark 10:13-16 NIV

So, at our family reunion we started the weekend off with family worship and communion. We sang What A Beautiful Name It Is with Joshua up front helping lead. There were tears throughout the family. I could hear his precious little voice singing his very favorite song that he has learned since being with his new family in America and it has great meaning to him because he now knows who Jesus is!

I hope your heart has been touched by this story of how God can work even through a child. He brought a child from China to lead a bus driver in Kentucky back to God!

Never discount what a child can accomplish for the Kingdom!

Kim Buerky has been married to her wonderful husband, Tim, for 39 years. She is a mother of two married children and “Meena” to three beautiful, fun, creative grandkids: An eleven year old boy, six year old girl and a 16 month old girl.

In her spare time, Kim loves shopping for bargains, having the grandkids over and absolutely loves to cook and entertain. Kim says, “Probably one of my favorite things to do is cook a good meal up for my kids and grandkids and have them over for dinner. I like to make their favorite things on each of their birthdays. My son who lives in Michigan gets his favorites when he and his family are coming for a visit. I love spending time with family!!” Kim and Tim attend Cornerstone Church in Chillicothe, Mo., where their son-in-law and daughter pastor.

Barricades, blessings and benefits of The Missions Trip

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Today is a traveling day! We are heading back to Riga, Latvia for 3 1/2 weeks of teaching, training and reconnecting. Please pray for us and the work there, we are excited to see all of the new faces and witness what God is doing in Eastern Europe! (We have two days in Dublin, Ireland on our way over…say what?! Pray for our safety in these uncertain times.)

My original title was, The Mission Trip: It’s not just about sightseeing…and I could have made friends and enemies with my title alone! Some could mistake it for “Shame on you! Didn’t you DO anything on your mission trip besides sightseeing?!” Then those that know me better will realize I am wanting to paint a bigger picture…a much bigger picture.

So, what do I mean? What is the purpose of a mission trip?

The Sweetheart took his first missions trip overseas when he was 18. He traveled to South America where he visited Chile, Argentina and Brazil. He went with an independent pastor who took him to see things up close and personal that would forever change his life.

Witnessing things such as satanic worship in a cemetery…at night…and out of sight…he was introduced to another world, one that most of us only read about in National Geographic back in the 1970’s.

He visited church after church, meeting amazing people who love God and are doing their best to serve Him. Privileged to witness and invite others to come to know Jesus Christ, right on the street, and get a positive response, was overwhelming.

What else did he do?

He went sightseeing. Experiencing the wonder of Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will forever be a highlight! He was privileged to bring back treasures such as a marble chess set from Chile and the ugliest sweater for me from Argentina that you have ever laid eyes on. I treasure it to this day! (I wish I had pictures to share but I am thousands of miles away from home and his “SLIDES”, yes, slides! For the younger generation, well, ask the older generation.)

Not to be outdone, when my oldest son, and his girlfriend-soon-to-be-fiancé-now-soon-to-be-wife-of-fifteen-years were both 18, they took a two week missions trip to Alaska. Alaska? Yes, Alaska. America needs Jesus!

Kyle and Rachel visited wonderful missionaries who travel distances we cannot fathom to minister to people, and met native Alaskans who are planting churches all over the 49^th, and largest, state in our great union.

Their group worked, they shared testimonies, sang, preached, whatever was asked or needed in those fourteen days, they were eager to serve.

Did I mention the sightseeing? Oh, my!

Not to be outdone, when our middle son, Kristopher was 17, he and his friend Christopher, (yes, two of them!) joined a group traveling to Bolivia. Again, they were able to meet people and see things that forever changed them. They worked, hard! They preached, sang, shared on the streets and they LOVED…hard.

They also came back with the most hideous, handmade, woven pants you can never UN-see. I bet he had half a dozen pair in different colors and patterns! (Just being goofy here, thankfully they didn’t go witnessing dressed like that!)

Obviously a mission trip brings out the worst in taste. Unfortunately, I cannot recall a decent treasure that was brought back from this trip but the Sweetheart remembers well a beautiful leather briefcase that Kristopher had bought for him. He carried it for many years.

And…they went sightseeing…

Dangerous sights…

Amazing sights…

If you follow my blog, you are aware that I call my boys My Three Sons, so you are expecting me to share The Baby’s mission trip. I will not disappoint you! Korey and Kristopher journeyed to Scotland and Ireland for six long weeks of a personal mission trip…funded by Korey and Kristopher. They spent their own money but were blessed to stay in accommodations with the missionaries there in exchange for hard labor (smile).

They loved every minute of it.

(Okay, almost every minute. Korey is a little dramatic after helping to update the landscaping at the Bible School here. He is a musician, after all, not a gardener!)

And when in Rome…or in Glascow…well, doesn’t everyone try on a kilt? Kristopher does.

They also were at St. Andrews before and during the British Open!

(Korey slept during the tournament. Seriously. He did.)

They took pictures, and liberties, that would probably have gotten them in trouble had anyone been watching.

It was an amazing trip.

Korey then joined us in Riga, Latvia for six full months of ministry. He brought his guitar and sang his heart out, along with several other wonderful young people, helping to start churches in a very difficult region of the world. He met people he would never have gotten a chance to become acquainted with otherwise, people that have impacted his life.

Did Korey get to sight-see? Yes and no. His six months were more work than play. He did see most of Riga, Latvia, the capital of the Baltics. We took him to Tallinn, Estonia to see one of the most beautiful Old Town’s still in existence.

What was his most exciting sightseeing adventure? He was asked to conduct a music seminar in St. Petersburg, Russia for about five days, accommodations in the church with our beloved Missionary, Reverend William Turner. What a privilege! Yes, he was blessed to see a part of the world most will never see and make friendships with beautiful people.

These are examples. Examples I used because I know their stories, I can talk about them, share them freely.

But, what about the career missionaries? They are overseas for long, long periods of time, there cannot be that much to do, right? Isn’t it just one big, long vacation?

First of all, do not misunderstand and think I am touting the adventures of my family. We were not career missionaries. We were Associates in Missions, or what our organization calls AIM workers. Sort of part-time missionaries in some cases, and in others, self-sponsored, or church sponsored, missionaries who are going to fill a need. They may not have felt a calling, per se, to a certain country, but they want to do something. They see that people are needed, and they are available, willing and ready to go. Sometimes that is a precursor to a career missionary. You have to start somewhere and put your time in before you are promoted to a long term overseas assignment.

Yet, many AIM workers and associate missionaries sell everything they have too! Some, like us, could not have raised the money necessary to spend more than a year in Europe without selling our home, and most of our possessions. We do not regret it, even though we are not overseas full time. Many associate missionaries REMAIN under that status for different reasons. In many ways it is more difficult for them to raise funds and to stay funded. My hat is off in humble admiration to these sacrificial workers in the Kingdom.

Now, we personally go when we see a need, when we can raise the money to do so, and the rest of our time is spent traveling for Revival By Design. (Thank you to all who give so we can go!)

Career missionaries have much more red tape to cut through before they are on location. It can take many months, or even years, to raise the support needed to stay on location.

Naturally, it is different in every organization.

I have read many books down through the years of missionaries blazing the trail. Of those working in the jungles of Africa, walking mile after mile, facing danger, literally, around every corner. I remember stories of other Godly souls who were able to be a part of seeing thousands saved in one tent crusade! They didn’t have email, cell phones, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Viber, Face Time, or Skype. They had snail mail and some were fortunate to have telephone communication…for about three minutes due to the expense…or the connection!

They definitely had things more difficult in many natural ways than missionaries do today, but they share many similarities that have NOT changed over the years.

Selling out.
Saying, “Goodbye’s” to loved ones…again and again.
Being homesick for their families.
Severe financial hardship. (Just because you are doing it for Jesus doesn’t mean you will be wealthy!)
And the most difficult of all…attacks from the enemy.

But I hear no complaints. I am sure there are some, even missionaries are human, but it is temporary. It may come from frustration, broken promises, and exhaustion.

What they DO experience, and I am sure 95% of them will agree, outweighs the struggle that accompanies the life of a missionary.

They witness lives changed, hearts broken and mended again, miracles, healings, signs and wonders!

They build churches in cities and countries where there has never been a church that taught Truth.

They light the way and bring the Gospel to the four corners of the world attempting to fulfill the scripture, “Go ye, into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15.

And this one, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14.

And some never truly witness the fruit of their labor but maybe one that comes behind them does. Some sow, some water, others reap. All according to God’s perfect timing.

The short-term mission trip whets the appetite of the young and the old. Some will go back, they will commit and “Go ye…” Others that have been privileged to go for a short time will not go back on a permanent basis but the experience will live on in their hearts and they, in turn, give in another way…they financially support those that literally go! It’s in their heart; they’ve been there, witnessed things that impacted them, now they want to help.

They never forget.

So, do missionaries sight-see? Yes, they do, they should! Of course it isn’t JUST about the things they see and the places they get to go…if they are going for that benefit only, they won’t last. God will not bless it. But missionaries that sacrifice for the call…they enjoy the countries God has sent them to love and labor in. Another long-time missionary mentioned that it is often even a spiritual experience as they learn more about their country, the history, the people that call it home…it helps them so much to connect!

They take pictures and post them on social media so YOU can be blessed to see places that your feet may never wander through. You have helped them get there; they want to share it with you! (There are times and situations where missionaries MAY NOT post very many pictures, if any, of their congregation, house church, or people they are working with for privacy reasons.)

The associate missionary, no matter how long they are on location, are a blessing to the missionary that lives in the country all of the time. They bring refreshing, strength, fellowship and maybe even Oreo’s and Ziploc bags from the States!

Missionaries go to places we can only dream about, but they give way more than we will ever realize and sacrifice more than some of us would be willing to.

Be blessed to see pictures of them feeding children in Africa, putting shoes on kids in Haiti, singing on the streets in Europe and preaching to thousands in South America!

Then pray.

Pray for those that have, and will, answer the call to GO. Pray that they will be able to raise the funds necessary, that it will not be a financial burden on them for years to come, and that their hearts will not become weary with THE WAIT.

For those already on the field? They need your prayers even more!

Pray for those that have gone; that God would have His way in their lives. That they would hear HIS voice and know the direction He would have them to take.

Pray for strength for each new day, peace in every situation and for favor with their city, village or country.

Pray that the emptiness in their heart would be replaced by the love of God and a love for the people in their new homeland.

Don’t begrudge them a little enjoyment in the country within which they labor. Love them, support them with your prayers and bless them financially when you can.

We would appreciate your prayers today for my health as well. I am not one to post on social media all of my ills but I have a severe case of bronchitis, so much so that my doctor didn’t want me to leave today. Please pray for healing and strength, if you have had bronchitis you know the I’ve-been-hit-by-a-truck fatigue and the incessant coughing. Pray my cough doesn’t get me kicked off the plane, yikes! Bind together with me in prayer and let us see what God will do!

What if we loved like Dzintra?

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