Family Update #22 – Final Update (recap, videos)
Happy 4th of July!
I can’t believe that this is the 22nd email that has been sent since learning about dad’s cancer. It’s been a wild ride…and one that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Do you remember that email I sent on November 3rd? I read it again this morning wondering what I said – how did we begin this whole journey? I have attached the email and I hope you join me in looking back at how faithful God has been in this entire story. This is what I wrote on November 3rd after explaining how God took care of the expenses for dad’s first round of chemo: “He is making Himself known to me and my family in ways that leave me in awe…and to think, it has only just begun. I eagerly await all that God wants to do in my family through this…” Yes, the Lord has done more than I could have ever imagined in revealing Himself to our family. You have been a part of this journey in prayer and support…one day I hope you understand how much you have blessed my mom, my brother, and me.
In this email I want to share a little about my trip to Russia and Africa, what’s next for me, what’s next for mom and DR, and then you will hear from mom and DR – they have included a short note offering an update and thanks.
(click below to hear more from the family and to videos highlighting summer travels)
June Travels Overview
I flew back into Dallas last Friday afternoon from a month long trip Russia, Germany, and Africa. I teamed up with Athletes in Action for two weeks in Moscow, Russia from June 3rd – June 17th, then spent two full days in Frankfurt, Germany getting a little rest before flying to Botswana, Africa where I joined a team from Teen Mania and helped out with their mission project in two remote villages just south of the Botswana/Namibian border in the Okavango Delta. It sounds so cheap and lazy to try and sum up this trip with “amazing” but it really was…amazing. I think there are two macro take-a-ways from this trip for me, the first being a re-kindling of the desire I have to live overseas and take the gospel to difference cultures – specifically, Israel (I was there in 2001 and want to go back). The second take-a-away for me was a fresh awareness of the gospel’s simplicity and how powerful love is as a bridge between cultures. Whether it was connecting with people through a volleyball match or handing out presents to children, the critical x-factor was a heart motivation of love. It’s not always tangible or easily identified, but action motivated in genuine love invites a true and receptive audience…and what better offering for an audience than the gospel of Jesus Christ. I’ve been “that guy” who has shared the gospel because I felt obligated or because I wanted to add a notch in my spiritual belt. And to be honest, it’s still something that I have to be careful of – not to manipulate relational interaction so that it looks a certain way or so that I reached a pre-conceived plan. This trip is full of story after story highlighting the work of God in the hearts of people. Let me share a couple with you…
Moscow, Russia
During the first week, our team held volleyball matches and practices at a volleyball training center about 45 minutes outside of Moscow. The second week we drove to a town called Smolensk, six hours west of Moscow where we continued hosting volleyball matches but also spent two days at different orphanages playing games with the kids. Throughout the trip, we used volleyball and games with the kids as avenues to share our testimonies and the gospel. I wanted to share one specific story from our time at the training center during that first week. I spent over three hours with a group of 8 volleyball players talking to them about life and about God. I had two Russian friends, Irana and Vitale, who helped translate while also sharing their testimony as well. There were a couple different and very specific instances where I remember having an opportunity to manipulate the conversation so that I could make a strong sales push for Jesus. I shut my mouth…I knew that my motivation would have been to try and push them towards a decision for Christ so that “I” was successful. I was quiet and continued to let them share…and continued to ask questions. Misha, a 17 year old Russian setter, drove the conversation for the group with very honest questions about Jesus. At one point he asked, “So, can I still drink, party, and have girls if I become a Christian?” I was so tempted to throw out some line about God’s grace as a way to buffer the question so that he wouldn’t be “turned off.” My response to Misha was simple – no. And then the Lord gave me a question to ask him: “Misha, if you personally knew Jesus and His love for you, why would you want to ignore that for something fleeting and ultimately empty?” The others listened intently and jumped in with questions of their own. Long story short, I had a chance to clearly share the gospel with the entire group…all 8 of the players asked me, before I left, if they could pray and ask Jesus to forgive them for their sins. My heart was quiet with joy because I knew it was the Spirit of God at work in their hearts – I had front row seats watching God reach into their otherwise unreachable soul and trade their heart of stone for a heart of flesh restored by the blood of Jesus. It was an amazing night. I have their email addresses, and I am still waiting to hear back from them.
Here is a fun video for you. This is the most unorthodox strategy for gaining a platform to share the gospel. This video is taken during the warm up of our match with the 8 players I told you about. This was taken hours before our conversation, and it highlights the manner in which I introduced myself to Misha, the player that was so intentional with his questions about Jesus:
Yeah, I hit him on the head! The guys on their team were dying laughing and it ended being a pretty funny moment. They had the last laugh though…they beat us. Yeah, tough match. And herein lies another glimpse into our trip. We didn’t win a single match against established teams during our trek across Moscow. Yet every time we shared the gospel there were a number of men and women who expressed decisions for Christ. In spite of our inability to win we still had influence with the players we played against – it was another example of 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. Paul did not trust in his ability to eloquently or sufficiently wow his audience with his message – his message was made powerful by the Spirit of God so that they would not trust in the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. We were not able to trust in our ability to earn an audience…we saw the Lord give us influence and till the hearts of those we spoke with.
Here is another video clip – this is from one of our visits to a Russian orphanage in Smolensk. I had a chance to share my testimony with these kids. Before I shared, the Lord reminded me of Romans 8 and nudged me to share about family. The story of my family and God’s faithfulness in being my hope amidst death was the intro for the gospel of Jesus. I don’t know how many hands were raised, nor do I have any idea how many of the children were sincere in their confession of Christ, but the gospel was clearly communicated, kids responded, and I trust that His word will not return void (Isaiah 55). I am praying that follow up will take place at the orphanage. Here is short clip of me sharing my testimony with these kids:
Side note – I am still raising support for this trip with AIA and have until August 1st to raise the remaining $1,300. If you are interested in being a part of this ministry through financial support please let me know. Thanks!
Maun, Botswana (Africa)
I spent 10 days in Botswana, Africa joining a team from Teen Mania who was helping a local ministry called Love Botswana Outreach. On our way out to “the bush” to help with ministry in smaller, remote villages, we stopped at a safari lodge and had a chance to spend an afternoon and evening driving across a game park on a safari tour. Botswana is one of the top two locations in all of Africa for safari tours. We saw zebra, wildebeests, giraffes, elephants, hippos, jackals, tons of birds, and incredible African scenery. We didn’t get a chance to see any lions, Cape buffalo, leopards, or rhinos, but that’s ok – I’ll make that a goal for my next trip when I go back to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro! J I got sick one day after joining the team at their campsite and battled sinus and chest congestion…in fact, I’m still coughing pretty bad. This was a curveball for me and forced me to the sidelines during a lot of the ministry, but it gave me a chance to “observe” ministry in place of “doing” ministry. I think the Lord used this to provide a glimpse and vision for what ministry overseas will require. Michael Walker, the pastor from Love Botswana Outreach, proved to be an example for me of a man focused on his calling and mission and willing to do whatever it takes to see it through – while displaying joy and peace throughout the chaos of not having resources most people take for granted. “T.I.A”. is a saying frequently used in Africa and it means “This is Africa.” Sometimes I wonder if it means, “This isn’t America.” You have to be ready for anything and be prepared for the likelihood of plans changing and most likely falling apart. I watched Michael respond to this in such a godly way…it was inspiring…it is inspiring. Here is a video clip highlighting one of the most powerful moments of the ministry in Botswana. If you have ever been a part of Samaritan’s Purse or Operation Christmas Child then this video shows you what happens on the receiving end of all those gift boxes collected every year. It’s incredible:
My trip to Africa was the final leg to this month long journey. It’s weird being back and I’m slowly adjusting. This week I have been helping mom around the house trying to knock out a few small work projects to make sure she is in good shape before I leave. I take off on Friday and will be driving back to Atlanta to start up work back in INJOY on Monday, the 9th. This trip overseas was a necessary break highlighting the end of one season and the beginning of a new season. Life in Atlanta will be new, and I am excited to see what’s next.
- A Note from Mom:
“Not sure where to start but maybe with a Grand “Thank you” to each and every one who is and has been there for us in support, prayer and encouragement. What you are doing and have done has made a most difficult time bearable. Even with the roller coaster ride of emotions and pain, the lessons learned have been amazing. One of the lessons has been “God’s perfect timing”. Through all of this, his timing has been so perfect. In that perfection and despite the pain, there is joy. Just briefly, Dave and I experienced a wondrous time of healing and restoration and I am thankful that we had that prior to his death. He came to know the Lord which that alone is a GREAT memory and has brought me joy and peace. There are more lessons, more than can be expressed now. So how can I be unhappy in this. Am I grieving? Absolutely and I know it will be a long time before I stop crying at the drop of a hat if ever but it’s OK. Do I still hurt and miss Dave. Again, absolutely. But there is a peace in the pain and grieving process. I’m staying where I am for now and look forward to the multitude of possible future opportunities. I wait upon the Lord to reveal his plan for the next season of my life. During this time, I hope to delve deeply into his Word and find out more about Him, about me and what awaits me. There has already been a stirring in my heart and I will be patient to see what that stirring looks like and where it will lead. Not defined as yet but I know it will be. Again, in God’s PERFECT timing. I will be attending the Grief Share program at Bent Tree in the Fall and have already meet some delightful ladies who attended the spring class and decided to meet over the summer. They invited me to join them and it has already been a time of healing and sharing. I look forward to what awaits me in the Fall. Again, I must reiterate how much we all appreciate the support, prayers, love and encouragement you’ve provided. We never would have made it through without it and each of you. Thank you!!!
- A Note from DR:
I was recently added as a company member of Stone Soup Theatre. Our website is www.stonesoupkitchen.org if you’d like some more information on the company and our past seasons. Currently we’re preparing for a theatre festival in Philadelphia and a reading series of published plays on the theme of occupation (one I hope to direct). With the generous help of friends and family I was able to finally get my headshots a few weeks ago. This is a huge investment financially and theatrically as having my headshots will open more audition opportunities and help me find an agent. Jamison and I are currently looking for a new apartment and will hopefully get some more space as 425 sq ft studio can get cramped at times. Our lease is up at the end of July so we have a busy month ahead of us. I appreciate and am beyond thankful for the incredible amount of support and prayer that so many of you have selflessly bestowed on my family. It is encouraging to know we have a strong support group to help us during our grieving period.
- A Note About New Zealand:
Nothing new yet. This summer Tom Harriger is going to try and meet face to face with Roger in New Zealand. I am communicating with a contact in New Zealand who has expressed interest in helping us. It’s pretty obvious that this is going to be a slower process than initially expected, but I am ok with that and am 110% committed to seeing this through. I will keep you updated on what happens with New Zealand, please keep praying that the Lord would direct our steps.
I’m learning that grieving and mourning are different. Grieving is deep, soulful, and often abstract. Mourning is grief realized; it’s the outward evidence of grief – tears, sadness…emotion expressed. They both continue to hit at different and random times. Father’s Day was hard, but it was a time of tears and a time to sit with the Lord and be honest about how much I miss the opportunity to know dad as a man who was in love with Jesus. That is not going to happen; I had a chance to know him briefly as he walked with God, but I realize the loss of what I want and continue to learn that there is freedom when I’m honest about the pain of loss. I am reading a book called “Shattered Dreams” by Larry Crabb. It’s one of the best books I have ever read and it is pointing me to the truth that when desires are unfulfilled they are exposed as being lesser desires. This points us to the deeper desires…and to the deepest desire that is real for every person – namely the desire to be in connection with God – to know the lover of our soul. Tasting the sweet reality of His presence is the ultimate fruit of shattered dreams.
You knew it was coming…this is where I say what I have said from day one. Two words serving as the underpinning of these emails – thank you. I continue to trust the Lord asking Him to make you fully aware of my thanks, and our family’s thanks, for you…your prayers, your support, your letters, emails…EVERYTHING that you have done and given to us over the past 8 months…it’s been an image of love and an image of the Body of Christ.
You have encouraged me in very special ways. I am not planning on sending out anymore Family Updates so now your inbox is safe from long winded messages taking up space! I hope you have been encouraged in your knowledge of the role you have played in this story of God’s work in our family. I remember reading this powerful passage in the book, “A Grace Disguised” by Jerry Sittser and I want to share it with you as a bookend to this season:
He chose to enter the darkness. He chose to turn away from running west – after the sun, and instead headed east – into the darkness. It’s funny, just this week my car’s air conditioner went out. Not a good sign for someone about to drive across TX, LA, MS, AL, and GA during the month of July. Being the genius that I am I realized a way to beat the summer daytime heat. I’m going to drive through the night! Then it hit me…and I don’t want to be over analytical about this (although I’ve been accused of much worse), but this road trip will be a symbol of what I have been learning. I will be driving east, into the darkness, with everything I have, and hoping that the sun will rise again. Chasing the sunset is what I do when I want what was. Running into the east, towards the sunrise, and through the darkness, is what I do when I am anchored to hope and trust…
And this is the journey I am on – discovering hope redefined and anchoring myself to it…to Him, until the fullness of hope is realized. And what a day that will be! Thanks for sharing this journey with me and my family.
Into the east,
LV
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