Honey, I’m Home!

The ministry in Kenya is pure joy for me.
But, the travel is tough.  And being away from Teresa has not gotten easier with the years.
And, for some reason the last short flight from Atlanta to Little Rock always tests me.  Slowest baggage claim ever in Atlanta today.  Then, the TSA process looked like the horror footage from a few weeks ago.  All of that send me rushing through the airport, like I and all of you who travel have done so many times in the past.  By the time I reach Atlanta I am usually on travel hour 25-30.  The body is shot, the mind is numb, and there is not much emotional juice left in the tank.
International ministry is a marathon, not a spring.  Trouble is, either one required supernatural intervention at my age (and high mileage).

But, I made it!
Teresa and I just had my re-entry cheeseburger.  And, I actually could carry on a conversation without slurring my words too bad.
Teresa pays the price for me to do ministry.  Years ago on one of our Charleston visits I took a picture of her sitting on the ocean-side porch of a rich merchant’s home.  The story was told that the wife of the merchant would sit there and stare out onto the Atlantic Ocean watching for a familiar mast and flag.  I have that picture in a prominent place in our home.  It reminds me of the sacrifice Teresa makes and has made to allow me to follow God’s call and ministry.  That’s because He called US, not just me.
The dirty clothes bag is on the back patio so it won’t stink up the house.  I’m headed to the shower and a long steaming bath.  And then we will settle in for the best night of sleep we have had in two weeks.  

I love going.
But, I love coming home.
And, God meets us in both.
Thanks for praying.  Truly, your prayers are our fuel.  And on this trip, we left with a full tank and the engine never sputtered….until that flight delay in Atlanta?!  I’m not sure which one of you fell asleep at the prayer wheel on that one?
I am blessed to have you as my partners.