missionary thanksgiving

Our kids' school was founded by missionary families who ran into each other regularly at the Philippine post office. Over 60 years ago they founded/started the school so that missionary families would have some place affordable to send their kids to for their education.  Their kids included. But the missionary community of Faith Academy is geographically diverse. The student body represents 26 countries this year.  The American Thanksgiving is recognized in the elementary grades when kids learn about the pilgrims that started the tradition but the school has never recognized it as a holiday to give kids 3 days off from academic exercise and attendance. 

I had forgotten about this until I returned as an alumni in 2012 with my husband and six children.  Being that the first year for any missionary family on their first ever overseas assignment is always the hardest, it definitely was one of those, "Oh.... shoot. Okay.  How should we do this?"   The only two we had enrolled at Faith Academy, at the time, went about their day as usual getting up early and trekking to another full day of classes. I pondered on the personal perplexity of the situation that week and all the way through Thanksgiving Day.  After 23 years of bone shivering Thanksgiving holidays in America, the heat and humidity was different.  On social media I watched American family and friends jibber jabber and brag about filling their homes with the culinary aromatics and cozy ambiance of the holiday .....with family and friends. 

thefilipinasian

#2012Thanksgiving #dinner
enjoyed sweating it out in the kitchen with my girlies and making
our men happy with the traditional familiar flavors of turkey,
gravy, potatoes, peach cobbler, cranberry sauce and the
likes. #Philippines

Looking back on my instagram account from six years ago, I'm sighing in sentimental relief that I did manage to learn about Shopwise in time.  There are flickering memories now of how we hunted for that turkey going from one SM supermarket to another.  Just wish I could remember who it was that told me about Shopwise.  With fans blowing every which direction, the windows failed to lock in the aromatic mix of turkey, cinnamon, gravy made from turkey drippings, and the likes.  At the same time they filtered in the busy street noise and viciously bickering tom cats.  Never knew those things could get so violent with each other.

This evening we hosted three other missionary families for the big feast. I just LOVE having a full house.  Will this be our first daughter's last Thanksgiving at home? Not sure yet what God has in her future after graduation this year.  

Missionary's gratitude....

Thanksgiving was one of the reasons I wanted a house of full of kids. Growing up, the years leading up to our wedding..... it was very hard to fathom the small version of the Thanksgiving table. (I'm only one of two kids but we often had holiday meals with other missionary friends).  Every time a new baby safely came into the world and into our arms our table expanded. For years we thanked God for "blessing" us with the comfortable lifestyle that hundreds of millions can only dream about in other parts of the world.    Then twenty years into our marriage we would have a seventh little Medlin.  God Almighty knows he's more than welcome to give us stewardship of many more before the grand kids start coming into the world.😄

From day one missionaries learn that fundraising is their second full time job. The brain and heart toggle between physical tasks, mental tasks and that of TRUSTING the Lord. There are newsletters to keep up with for the supporters and potential supporters.  I remember in the 80's missionaries only doing that every quarter.  Technology makes it easier and raises the bar for missionaries to put out updates at least once a month. When life changes for some who can no longer send financial support you plan trips and speaking engagements.  Then there's a lot of work that goes into making sure needs are met for those trips.  Lots of prayer for a smooth experience everytime and worthwhile results.  In the meantime the field work has ongoing demands and deadlines. Then there are specific ministry needs that require seperate additional fundraising.  

Depending on the circumstances at hand, some days can make either one of us feel like the deer caught in the headlights and frozen stiff in the dead of winter, wondering when we can expect to start thawing out and breathing again.  That was definitely the case the first couple years. We have low funded months and we have months where we can breath a little easier.  Out here, it's all overhead.   But God Almighty sprinkles extra blessings sporadically to even it all out by the end of each year. Our first two years of doing our taxes husband would spend countless hours trying to do due diligence so as not to cause any mishaps with Uncle Sam.  He often said, "the numbers just don't add up." As in, how in the world does God still have us out here clothed and eating? 

Thanksgiving is one of those rare occasions where we can pull a little from the extra to cover the cost of an imported turkey.  We spend many moments thanking God for everything he has done to sustain us and the work.  By his sovereign grace God has provided for visits to the ER, Mike's cataract surgery (and we're looking at another one needed in the future), stitches, ingrown toe nail....etc.  Plus, he's provided for their education. Then when our second born went off to college he amazed us with providing to get him moved in, settled and pay a few extra fees. Because of the Lord I have learned to approach the thrown with gratitude for all his provisions before making our requests known. Our prayer posture has definitely changed. GOD IS FAITHFUL.  

Please pray for missionaries all over the world.  Especially for those who wonder if it's time to throw in the towel or trust the Lord for another month.  Not to say we are thinking of throwing in the towel.  However, it's sobering to hear when any organization experiences high overturn because there isn't enough support for their missionaries. Pray for those missionaries and those organiztions. Also, honestly ask the Lord the role he wants you to play in world missions.  We all have a role to play. What's yours?

But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. -Matthew 24:13-14