Injury report [audio blog]
In this audioblog, a report on my injuries 😉 and an update on what I’ve been up to today. Includes prayer requests.
Ministry glimpses
In stitches
Another party it over! Thanks to everyone who came and made it great for Nathanael, who is now officially 1. After two Saturdays of parties, one person asked,”So, what are you going to do next week?”
Now I can answer the question.
I’ll be getting my stitches out.
After humbling myself so much as to tell you how I hurt my foot last week, I’m not going to tell you what I did to my finger in the evening after Nathanael’s party. But suffice to say, it’s well cut, and I now have 6 stitches in it. Now, that being said, I really have a lot to be thankful for. First, it was cut in a “good” place, and did a lot less damage than it could have. Second, it’s my left hand, and I’m right-handed. Third, I was able to get the stitches fairly quickly – within about an hour and a half of the accident. Fourth, the pain hasn’t been too bad. Although I must say the pain of the needles meant to “freeze” my finger was really something. And believe it or not (skip to the next paragraph if you’re squeamish), the doctor pushed one of the needles through my finger and right out of my palm. I don’t think he even noticed. But that was quite the feeling!
So, tomorrow I have to go in to get the bandaging changed, and to make sure there’s no infection. And on Saturday the stitches come out.
Now, there is a concern you could pray about. We’re going to be involved in a lot of music in Glendon on the 29th. Two things that are somewhat difficult to do with one less finger include playing the guitar and the piano. So some quick healing is needed, or there’s going to be a new Cottrill a capella group!
Speaking of music, a song has been going through my head the last few days, I thought I’d share it with you. I updated and wrote music for a song originally written by Isaac Watts and Stopford (yes, Stopford) A Brooke. Here’s my version:
Let ev’ry trembling thought be gone!
Awake and run the heavenly race,
And put a cheerful courage on!
It is a rough and thorny road,
And mortal travellers tire and faint;
But they forget our mighty God
Who feeds the strength of ev’ry saint.
(Chorus)
Swift as an eagle cuts the air
We’ll mount aloft toward our home
On wings of love our souls will fly
Not tire until they reach Your throne
This mighty Lord, who’s matchless pow’r
Is ever new and ever young
And still it lasts, while endless years
Their everlasting circles run.
From You the everflowing spring
Our souls shall drink a fresh supply
While those who trust the strength of man
Shall melt away and droop and die.
(Chorus)
Swift as an eagle cuts the air
We’ll mount aloft toward our home
On wings of love our souls will fly
Not tire until they reach Your throne
Grandparent Week and afterwards
Last week was officially dubbed “Grandparent Week“. The reason you didn’t hear more about it was because it was only at our house. We had a great time with two sets of grandparents visiting, for a while both at the same time. One day we even threw in an uncle, aunt and cousin! Yes, it was a little chaotic at times, but pretty fun. I made up a quick video in memory of the event – visit our Photo Gallery to download it if you’re interested. No doubt in time I’ll throw up a few pictures of the big week.
Also last week I was told that no, I hadn’t completed my seminary course. There was a secret hidden assignment that I didn’t do! Well, now I’ve done it, and it doesn’t look like I’ll be penalized for my oversight. However, I’m still waiting to hear back from the school before I can order my next course, so I’m a little antsy about that.
We’re getting ready for two kids birthdays in the next 11 days, and also a trip north later this month. The Meximize Team has a meeting coming up too, so I’m trying to get things ready for that. And we’re trying to get details nailed down regarding our trip to Mexico in July – where we’ll be when and who we’re staying with and all that. The good news is that the tickets have been bought, to both Mexico and to Sudbury (for a training weekend). So things are coming together. You can visit our Yahoo! calendar for dates.
So there’s a little about what these missionaries are up to right now. We’re praying that we’ll be able to join our fellow Christians in Mexico this fall, to live in an area where the light of Christ is so desperately needed. Please join us in your prayer time!
Pioneers, missionaries and hats
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Pioneers have a lot of work to do that most people don’t even have to think about. Simple things, like “Where can we get water?” or “What can I sleep on?” As I went about my work today, I realized that missionaries often have the same problem.
Missionaries have to wear a lot of hats. Of course, it’s obvious if you’re thinking of a missionary among a stone age tribe. They have to deal with true frontier medicine, basic food and water issues, and culture and communication challenges.
But missionaries going to any unreached area have to do a lot of their own legwork. Take us, for example, going to an unreached part of Mexico. Imagine going to a city that has only one tiny church, or no believers at all (that you know of). There’s no Christian library down the road, or even Christian books in the library or at the bookstore. There’s no fellowship. You have trouble even communicating properly with people you do know, not because of language but because of culture. There’s no Christian schools, Bible colleges, or megachurches with resources to sponsor Christian ministries. You have no office, no secretary, few resources. And far less materials available that are culturally and language appropriate.
It’s always harder to start from scratch, but when you’re starting a church in an unreached area, that’s what you’re doing. But even here, we have to wear a lot of hats! Take for example some of the things I had to do today.
Today I was communicating with Mexico about various details the Meximize Team will have to be aware of. I was at a travel agent, working through various details for flights to Mexico. I had to consider what insurance might be needed, and when the best time would be to buy it to save money. I had paperwork and questions regarding our personal medical insurance. There were some financial issues I had to discuss with Shari. I deposited a cheque. I had vehicle registration to deal with. I had banking details I needed to discuss with someone at the bank. I had to help my kids with various activities. I discussed some details with Shari regarding our trip to Mexico. I have to consider immunizations that may be needed. I worked on training that the team will need before they go to Mexico. I tried to take care of Nathanael, who I think is a little sick. Oops – I forgot my cell phone some place, so I had to go back and pick it up. I updated something on the computer. I updated my spring/summer calendar. I got the mail. I communicated with the Meximize team leader regarding some training issues. And alas, just when I was getting rolling I ended up with a bad migraine attack and…well, I still had enough energy to write this little note. And really, that wasn’t much of a typical day – the typical things I didn’t even get to! And no, I didn’t list everything I did today.
I knew it before, but I know it again. The life of a missionary is anything but typical. Next time, I’ll just call my office and let them take care of all the details. Wait – I am the office! 😯
A long short trip
Do you have a picture in your mind of the “typical missionary family”? If you do, I hope it’s not the picture many people have – of a frazzled mother with hardly any control of her wild kids, while her oblivious husband talks with a variety of important looking people in the church, apparently not hearing the chaos that his children are causing. And if you do have that picture of a typical missionary family, I hope it’s not the way you see us – even after last night.
Yesterday we went to Three Hills. We had a typical time of packing – actually, better than most packing times, in my opinion. We left after lunch and met some friends in Three Hills for a delicious supper.
We had a good time with our friends, but as we started to get ready for prayer meeting, things starting to go just a little wrong. We had one or two of your normal minor childhood injuries as we got ready, and one or two more minor problems, and pretty soon time was running out. By the time we arrived at the Prairie Tabernacle and started to set up, time was really getting gone.
As the meeting was just about to start, I had the worry in the back of my mind that we ourselves were becoming the above mentioned imaginary family. I had an armload of stuff that I needed for my presentation (don’t worry, no slide presentation ending in a sunset), and I was trying to watch Hannah and get her under control at the front of the church in front of the crowds. They started singing the hymn…
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
No, I didn’t miss the irony as I tried to sing along, find my notes, and pull out what I needed for my presentation. Were my notes in order? Was my guitar tuned? Was I ready? Er..no no no…
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
I fumbled with the hymnbook (remember, I’m in the front of the church here), kept singing, and got my Bible ready, trying to catch a breath.
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.
It was one of those times when I simply asked God to use me in spite of myself. I certainly felt in need of a steady Guide! But I wasn’t really worried or upset or frustrated. Just rather…out of time.
I shared from my heart last night, but I did scramble around with my notes, flub my song, and forget important things that I was going to say. These are gracious people – this church family has prayed for us since we started in full time ministry – many of them have been praying for us even longer. They gave nothing but encouragement afterwards (one person gave me some suggestions for my singing – and she was absolutely right. Someone else was there who gave me some guitar training 12 years ago – perhaps he was shaking his head wondering why I’ve lost so much ground! But everyone was very gracious). So this was a forgiving crowd, and I hope they know how much we appreciate them. We had a great time of prayer together and a good time visiting.
We got to see some other friends in the evening, which was great. When we went to go to bed we did make a discovery. Nathanael is at that stage where he simply won’t sleep if he’s in the same room as us. He sees us and thinks it’s time to get up. So time and time and time again we got up and tried to quiet him. Hannah was not feeling well and was coughing, and I ended up with a tremendous headache in the middle of the night. So…not much sleep for us. So…we’re a little tired. We were going to try to see some more people, but other than a brief stop we decided we’d better get home. But in the end, the trip was a blessing for us – I hope a blessing to others, in spite of it all!
As I reflect, it occurs to me that God really does understand real life. Somehow through His Spirit He can allow us to learn holiness – even when life seems to be out of control. We can commune with Him and let Him speak in any situation, no matter how crazy. And perhaps it’s those times when we need Him most – and those times when He can teach us the most.
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.