Old School

For those of you they may be wondering where I have been the past 10 days with no posts, no facebook, no e-mails…the internet was down so needless to say I had no way of keeping anyone posted on anything. I thought about putting a message in a bottle or even the use of snail mail:>) Neither would have worked as you can probably guess. It is funny because technologically speaking I am certainly not up with the times. I didn’t even get a cell phone until the last few months I lived in Texas and it is a pay as you go…no special gagets, no bells and whistles, just a phone. This week I have thought about those missionaries that had no access to any of the new technology we have today. They left friends and family that wouldn’t even hear from them for years on end and there were those that went to never return. The courage and faith these men and women had…these are the men and women that inspire me, encourage me, teach me and show me great faith, trust and amazing sacrifice.

About half way thru the week the thought went thru my mind that family (my mom:>) and friends might be concerned I hadn’t written anything. When I opened my e-mail yesterday it obviously wasn’t a concern as I only had one e-mail and the rest devotionals and junk and that one e-mail was from right here in Haiti. Honestly and selfishly a part of me wanted to cry and yes I did, but the other part of me knows life still goes on in America and it doesn’t revolve around a missionary in Haiti. At that moment I felt a little bit like those missionaries of the past. How did they GO and have no means of communication or very little communication with loved ones back home? How did they do this? To have such a trust and a faith blows me away so many times. Oh to have that kind of faith myself. Lately my faith has felt very small or I should say my walk has felt very weak and have felt the things and trappings of this world so heavy. The other day I was speaking with a couple staff about how different life was when I was growing up. The difference in the generations. We talked about honor, respect and responsibility. What it looked like then and what it looks like now. They told me they see some of the same things happening in Haiti, but it just a bit slower. This isn’t by accident.

We talked about technology…the good, the bad and the ugly. This new technological age was supposed to free families up to have more time together. Now we all see this happening don’t we….Not!!! When I was younger and we went to swim meets all the kids gathered in one spot and we played card games, hand clapping games, talked and joked around and really got to know one another. When I went to swim meets before I came to Haiti it was so very different. Kids still in the same place sitting together, but instead of having face to face conversations they have their Ipods on, texting on their phones and many times it is with someone sitting right across from them. I know, I know, but Beth you need to get up with the times. I do see the times and it just reminds me Jesus is coming again soon! I don’t know when, but I know He is coming and the evil one knows this full well and he is trying so desprately to keep people from seeking and knowing Jesus. Just look at the gagets…what can be used for good in so many ways, it has been used to tear families apart, interupt our conversations and put a barrier in communication.

Yes I am old school and I am o.k with this and I am o.k. (for the most part) when people give me a hard time about it. I have to admit I would rather sit down and e-mail a letter or write a letter than have a conversation, but that is because my thoughts (which is a slow process) get all jumbled up when I talk, plus it is more of my comfort zone.  As I said above there is some good to the technological age. This is one…I am writing this blog. I can use it to share the love of Jesus and share His truth with people I don’t even know. The Gospel can be sent out to even more and more people thru this venue. I love this. I can stay in closer touch with family and friends. I can share with them how they can pray for me and for those around me. I can use the computer in school and look up different things the kids have questions about like what animals live in Haiti or in the jungle? If I don’t have an answer to something I can research it and find the answer. I can also use the computer to help teach English. I can communicate with other missionary friends around the world and encourage them as they encourage me. There is good, but where there is good the evil one will try and is succeeding in making counterfeit.  Scripture tells us the devil prowls around like a lion waiting for someone to devour. Be careful dear ones and don’t get caught in the trap. Remember the faithful that came before us…..stand firm, be strong, trust in Christ Alone.