Life With Janaa

Growing up, I was always fascinated by missionaries.  Here were these people who left the convenience of their American Dream life, stable income and stuff for the plains of Africa, or the jungles of South America, or....well you think of the cliche geography term and fill in the blank.  Every Wednesday night, the pastor would read word for word or summarize the letters that were sent from the missionaries we supported.  Thing was, that's all that we ever heard.  For my part, we were a very mission-minded church.  We supported several missionaries.  Then that pastor left, and a new one came.  He had and as far as I know still has no real interest in the lives of these people that give up everything to spread the Gospel.  That's another story for another time.

Looking back now, because of the experience we have had with Janaa, as well as the few short term trips I have taken, I have a newfound respect for the Missionary.  I wish I could have put more effort into edifying the ones that knew about as a child.  Of course, at that time, you had to write letters.  No email.  :(  That would have been hard. 

There are more missionaries in my life now than ever before.  I give credit to God and my wife for that.  i've always had a heart for missionaries, but Rachel helped me figure out how I could help the best.  I'm not called to go over and church plant or be in "Full-Time" Christian service (I dislike that term immensely).  I can be a friend to them though, and edify them and support them.  I'm thankful for people willing to go.  If not, I wouldn't have my Janaa.  (Thanks Rachel M.)

Janaa's desire is to go to Thailand and tell her "tummy mommy" that Jesus loves her, and that Budies are asleep and can't hear her prayers.  People chuckle when they hear her say it and have this "Oh that's so cute" attitude, but I take it seriously.  And this is not just a one time statement.  She has said it over and over and over and over.  She's going to get that chance in September.  My daughter is going on her first missions trip at the age of 4.