whangerai, new zealand
there was a day when missionaries served on the edge of the world and the only communication available was a very poor mail service (often inaccessible for weeks).
the internet and worldwide accessibility to the web has done wonders to shrink the distance between home and “the ends of the earth.” currently we know three different families serving across the world in the frozen metropolis of st. petersburg, the very remote and frigidly cold magdallen islands, and a tiny village in armenia.
according to the globe, these families are technically a world away, but in reality that has not stopped us from being in regular (and easy) communication with each of them through blogs, emails, cellphones, voice mail, skype, text messages, and good old fashioned postal mail.
we have come along way from the apostle paul sending hand-copied letters across the roman empire. what a connection God has provided for these servants abroad and what a blessing for us to hear up to date needs of those serving on the field.
quietly making noise,
fletch
Posted on February 26th, 2008 by Fletch
Filed under: uncategorized
Wow. Isn’t this true. It used to be that when people chose to be missionaries they would sometimes get on a boat and never knew if they would see their families again.
Having parents who have served in Afghanistan and Singapore the last few years, Skype and email have been a life-line…it has allowed our kids to grow closer to their grandparents even though seperated by so many time zones.
My parents were missionaries in the Amazon rainforests of Venezuela. Our only way of communicating with the outside world was ham radio, and eventually email through that same radio. It was a such a blessing to feel even slightly connected. Now, I’m a missionary in Paraguay and we love our webcam, Skype, MSN, and email! I feel spoiled…
Fletch,
Sometime I need to tell you about my brother and sister-in-law and their 11 year missionary stint in France. Not exactly deepest Africa, but in dire need of the Word none the less. (much easier to get to, also!).
On an unrelated subject, I’m tagging you. I don’t normally do these, but I really like the Tutor, so I’m playing along. Check it out here. . .
http://mountainhomeschool.blogspot.com/2008/02/meme-first-my-desk.html
Best,
Chris
PS: I may just end up being “noisily quiet”.