Our Journey

You have probably heard me rave quite a bit about our home church, Belmont United Methodist Church. But I want to tell you another reason why this community continues to be vital to our family. As each child enters Kindergarten they are matched with a Prayer Friend. Over the years the way the Friends are chosen has been different but both of our children have had the privilege of choosing their Prayer Friend.

Six years ago Claire Marin chose our Music Minister, Gayle Sullivan. I’m embarrassed to say that I can’t remember her reasons. She and Gayle had spent time together by virtue of my position on staff and through participation in pre-school choir but they did not have an existing relationship of note. But when asked to choose a Friend from all of Belmont UMC, Claire Marin asked Gayle. I think she perceived, even at that young age, Gayle’s kindness, deep joy, easy laugh and love of life. And they have developed a beautiful friendship over the years. Gayle faithfully makes time for Claire, keeps her artwork in her office, follows our blog, listens deeply to Claire’s stories and prays for her.

And Claire has held tightly to the teddy bear that was given to her during worship as a reminder of their special relationship. She loves to hear from Gayle, remembers her, looks up to her, looks forward to each and every get together, and prays for her.

It’s such a gift for us as parents to know that Gayle is another adult in Claire Marin’s life who loves her, supports her, and delights in her! And it is no small feat to remain in such regular contact with anyone over five years, but especially for a busy woman like Gayle, a busy girl like Claire, and now, when one Friend lives on another continent. But they have done it and it’s beautiful to witness!

And now Carter has chosen his Prayer Friend, Allison Henry. While Claire and Gayle have become fast friends over time, Carter and Allison are already like family. Ned and Allison’s hospitality and love of our children is so deep that the kids consider Rainbow Place as much home as the Gray House. As so much in our life is in transition, I think Carter has chosen wisely. Even at four years old he know that Allison’s love for him will never change no matter where he lives or how often he gets to rummage through her pantry.

On Sunday, the church will pray with us and for us as we return to Malawi. And Gayle and Allison will stand with us. More than special people to our children they remind us and demonstrate the amazing love of our church family and the vital part they play in calling, challenging and sustaining us as disciples. Thank you, Belmont! And thank you thank you thank you to Gayle and Allison!

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Yesterday we had the privilege of worshiping with the congregation at Glendale United Methodist Church. We are so thankful for their hospitality and warm welcome of our family.

When we left you last year we told you that we would be in Malawi for one year serving as Volunteers in Mission with the Malawi United Methodist Church. Just three months into our stay, Jeff and I began looking at each and whispering to one another, “do you think one year will be enough?” And by December we began telling friends and family that we would extend our commitment to Malawi for two more years.

So we came home this summer to rest, bear witness to the hand of God at work in the Malawi UMC and work, in order to support our stay for the next year. It has been an amazing summer filled with friends and family and church visits and presentations, including a group of lay people here at Glendale.

The temptation when we talk with friends and groups and churches is to talk about how this year has challenged us, changed us as a family. But I think our true responsibility and delight is to tell you about the pastors and lay people leading the church in Malawi. As they say in Malawi, living the gospel is “no joke”. Pastors follow the call to serve knowing that they will not receive their promised salaries, men and women start nursery schools without books, pencils, toys and crayons, congregations worship without buildings or hymn book or Bibles. They know the commitment they are making and they join together celebrating the abundance they find and the daily blessings of God.

And these people and their ministries, their love of God and their fervent worship are what call us back to Malawi. Going back this time is not nearly as romantic and adventuresome. We go back knowing what it means go hours or days without water or electricity. We go back knowing that our friends and neighbors and church members will get sick and not have the money or access to the health care that they need.

But we also go back knowing that God is performing miracles among the people. We go back knowing that prayer makes a difference. We go back to lively and challenging Bible Study. We go back to live and work and learn from faithful men and women who strive to live the gospel every day as best as they know how. And who will support us as we do the same.

But before we go back we are so thrilled to have the opportunity to thank you here at Glendale for your incredible generosity. The “gray house” as we’ve come to call it is peaceful, and welcoming and has been a refuge for our family during our stay. Thank you for those of you who have friended us on facebook, followed the blog, prayed for us and given money in support of projects in Malawi.

This congregation is forever tied to our mission and dear to us as a family. We will return next summer for six weeks and we look forward to telling you more about this incredible journey that God has called us on. Ambuye akudalitseni, God bless you.

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For those of you following along, you remember that Marie Claire Bryant lived with us in Malawi for the first four months supporting us in mission by taking care of our children. In the process she became their sister and a member of our family. Last night I had the privilege of speaking for her at the Youth Ministry Banquet at Belmont UMC honoring the graduating seniors. This is my attempt to capture our family’s love and appreciation for Marie Claire…

Marie Claire is in the red shorts. I'm the blond on her left.

Over the years Marie Claire has been my supporter, cheerleader, companion on the journey, daughter and friend.

In the 7^th grade, when I was youth pastor, our youth group went to Heifer Ranch. On the Ropes Course we chose partners to climb the 40-foot Jacob’s Ladder. Looking around I saw the tall, thin 7^th grader who had yet to find a partner. Being the athletic, strong and capable youth pastor that I was I thought, “I’d love to get Marie Claire to the top.”

But after the 1^st rung, I could climb no further. Looking up at the other five rings that got progressively farther apart I was sure we were done. But Marie Claire nimbly jumped up to the next rung and pulled me up. From there she would squat and I would literally stand on her thighs to jump/be pushed all the way to the top.

That day – and in fact, that whole week – I saw Marie Claire’s strength in body, mind and spirit. The view from the top of that ladder was a beautiful vista of possibilities and wonder made all the more sweet because of the effort it took to get there.

Jacob's Ladder

And the way I felt in that moment is how Marie Claire views the world all the time. She sees the beauty and the possibilities of life and in people and circumstances from a vantage point that few of us can ever reach. Not unless Marie Claire is persistent and patient enough to pull us up there with her – above the mundane and the challenges that threaten to keep us on the ground.

And Marie Claire viewed our life in Malawi the same way. When I asked in jest for someone to join us, Marie Claire saw the beauty and possibilities beyond the challenges of leaving Hillsboro and her friends during her senior year. Instead she saw that her gifts, abilities, experiences and desire for adventure actually prepared her to follow this prompting and nudge to join our family on this mission.

Besides finding the best ice cream and the Italian restaurant, Marie Claire called our attention to the clouds in the sky, gave voice to our love of coconut cookies, and listened to Claire Marin’s struggles when she couldn’t share them with us.

Marie Claire has always taught me. She was one of my biggest supporters as her youth pastor. And she stood with me through pain and tears, encouraging me through some of the most difficult days in Malawi… and became family. Her friends called me her “mission mom” and she definitely became siblings to Claire Marin and Carter. But I never felt like she was my daughter, but always my friend.

Marie Claire has always been pulling me to the top and showing me what is possible when I don’t give up and when I trust God and rely on others. This is not to say that Marie Claire is not grounded but only to highlight how far she has climbed and how deep her roots are.  And my vantage point is forever different having seen the world through Marie Claire’s eyes.

the sisters and brother

Marie Claire, I pray that you forever remain a dreamer, calling to us through art and poetry and righteous anger to see the world as you do. And I pray that you also see that the beauty, strength and courage that you possess enables you to live at such great heights.

I love you.

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