The Thunder returns...
Trying to put an endcap on this trip is painful. I don’t want it to be over, I don’t want to be in the states, (although I am immeasurably happy to be with my sons and have our family together.)
The return was difficult in many ways. There’s the obvious culture re-entry, jetlag (which I actually had to deal with this time), on top of that we were battling a headcold, and minor traveling issues. When we found out the news that our good friend Ron Fromm had died while we were in Istanbul it rocked us both. He was too young and was such a delight, you never want those people to die young. I can think of so many reasons that he should have stayed. Then I am reminded by the Spirit that His ways are not my ways, His thoughts are not my thoughts. He shows me many reasons why it was the perfect time for Ron to go home, truly home. No worries, his joyful reception, his deserving to hear “well done, my son”, his impact on earth that will ripple so vibrantly because he was taken in God’s perfect time. I am comforted that his family is being taken care of and held by Jesus in Ron’s place. There are so many stepping in to care for them and the blessing of that is beyond my ability to calculate.
As with Ron’s life ending, so goes our time in Mongolia. I have no idea what God did with our ripples. I can’t understand His plan. I don’t see why he would have our season be short or if there is a time in the future when we will return. Our lives are not our own. Yes, we both feel strongly that Mongolia is in our future and we work toward that, taking the steps we believe He laid out before time began. I was reading in James this morning and am reminded that I must not be arrogant and claim a future that is not guaranteed. We could either or both of us die before this day ends. The Lord marks the beginning and the end. I can only hope to serve well as my friend did and be ready when that end is marked.
-Jean
The return was difficult in many ways. There’s the obvious culture re-entry, jetlag (which I actually had to deal with this time), on top of that we were battling a headcold, and minor traveling issues. When we found out the news that our good friend Ron Fromm had died while we were in Istanbul it rocked us both. He was too young and was such a delight, you never want those people to die young. I can think of so many reasons that he should have stayed. Then I am reminded by the Spirit that His ways are not my ways, His thoughts are not my thoughts. He shows me many reasons why it was the perfect time for Ron to go home, truly home. No worries, his joyful reception, his deserving to hear “well done, my son”, his impact on earth that will ripple so vibrantly because he was taken in God’s perfect time. I am comforted that his family is being taken care of and held by Jesus in Ron’s place. There are so many stepping in to care for them and the blessing of that is beyond my ability to calculate.
As with Ron’s life ending, so goes our time in Mongolia. I have no idea what God did with our ripples. I can’t understand His plan. I don’t see why he would have our season be short or if there is a time in the future when we will return. Our lives are not our own. Yes, we both feel strongly that Mongolia is in our future and we work toward that, taking the steps we believe He laid out before time began. I was reading in James this morning and am reminded that I must not be arrogant and claim a future that is not guaranteed. We could either or both of us die before this day ends. The Lord marks the beginning and the end. I can only hope to serve well as my friend did and be ready when that end is marked.
-Jean
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