Where is home?

Twenty years ago a brand new missionary, missing home, asked me, "Where is home for you?".  I thought about it for a bit and finally answered.  Home for me is not a place, but people.  I’ve lived in so many places. They all became home for a time. 

As we arrived back in Thailand the night before last my thoughts again took me down that path.  Sunday we had a wonderful service with Community Covenant Church in Burke, Virginia.  It felt like family sending us on our way.  As Peter and I drove home, we took the scenic route and thoroughly enjoyed the rolling hills of Northern Virginia and the changing colors of fall.

Monday, I rushed to Target to buy a few luggage straps (which were considerably cheaper than new bags!).  And again I was amazed by this country and felt totally at home.  The US is a place where the shops never close, the roads are smooth, the driving easy, the food portions huge and drinking water free! 

By Wednesday, we were back in Thailand.  We never saw Tuesday (it was vaporized somewhere over the north Pole before we touched down in Seoul, Korea).  Again, we felt instantly at home.  Yes, the streets of Thailand are are narrow and crowded.  But the food!  Pad Thai for 70 cents, available every fifty meters, with fresh tropical fruit served for breakfast.  And did I mention the people?  Friendly and gracious!  

As Peter and I drove through the countryside from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, the rice is golden in the fields, the rocky limestone karsts still a deep green.  And--since we were in Thailand (not Laos), the roads were actually very good, with only a rare pothole.  Home again!

So, no need to ask us where home is!  It's back in Virginia with our daughter, Erin, Jason, and our grandson, Dominic.  It's in California in California with our son, Kevin and Ramona.  It's in Colorado where Mom and Dad McCurry are still going strong.  And--it's in Thailand now, this place God has put us for a season!  Life--always full....and maybe someday for us, home will be in just one place.

Ruthie  

  

We're Off

To Thailand, that is.  Ruthie and I leave tomorrow morning.  This has been a wonderful end to our time here in the States.  We had good time with Kevin and Ramona out in Los Angeles, as well as my brother--and many wonderful people in Covenant churches.  Yesterday and today were special as Ruthie and Erin worked together to put on two wonderful meals for family and friends here in Virginia.  

Pastor John Benson, from our little church here--Community Covenant in Burke VA--gave us a sendoff we won't forget.  These verses from I Thessalonians 2 were especially meaningful:  "You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure.  We had previously suffered and been insulted...but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition... On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel...We love you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well...

As we go back to Thailand Pastor Benson prayed that these words would be true of us--that we would be filled with the love of Christ to be able to share not only the gospel, but our lives as well.  Thank you, Pastor John!  

Green Light

"The committee approved the project with affirmation!"  With this green light from the WM committee meeting, Oct. 18,  Ruthie and I feel affirmed and ready to hit the ground running when we get back to Thailand next week.  

Because our plans are a bit bigger and a bit "out of the norm" I was asked to develop a complete plan for the business and project we are starting in Thailand.  So we wrote both a business plan and a ministry plan and submitted them last month.  With this approval, we are now cleared to begin raising funds.

Here's what we're looking for:  10 supporters who could LOAN us $10,000-$100,000 for a period of 1-3 years.  We want to pay an interest rate which would be better than what's available elsewhere--probably 5%.  Would you consider using a some of your savings to help us get started?  Or do you know someone who would be in a position to help?  We would be happy to send you details and plans!        

Of course, given the economic crisis we find ourselves in, the climate for fundraising is not great.   We have done our best in putting together this plan, but we want to stay flexible, to move and change should that be necessary.  More than that, we want to find funds that will not compete with most normal giving!  But we are confident God has promised to give us what we need to do his work.            

California Swing!

California Swing

We've just returned from our last speaking engagements in California--to nice 30 degree weather in Virginia!  We get to enjoy fall for one week before heading back to Thailand next Monday, Oct. 27.

I can't say enough about how we enjoyed our time in churches these past 10 days.  Salt of the earth people, these Covenanters.  I think of Dave and Irene, Jeff and Kathy (Modesto), Duane and Charlon, Jim and Ying (Sacramento), Don and Rocky (Fresno), Mike and John (Orange) .To you and many others who made our visits special--thank you so much!  

We tried to tell the story within our story, essentially the lessons we feel God has been teaching us the past few years.  Simply, we've learned

• God wants to use people like us (ordinary people with willing hearts)
• To do his work (pushing back the darkness)
• We will, most likely, meet opposition, even persecution!
• But in the end, it is he who builds his church.  He is sovereign and will accomplish his purposes (even if we are not around).  Our part is to remain faithful and keep taking the next step.

Besides our church visits we also had a wonderful time visiting our son, Kevin & Ramona, as well as my brother, Ted.  Time was very short, but meaningful.