I’m sure you can relate…that sinking suspicion that something is missing…
As we stood in line to re-enter the United States Tuesday evening, we realized that with all the craziness we had left Melodee’s purse on the airplane.
All of Melodee’s Italian and American documents (except for her passport, gratefully), money, credit cards and wedding band were in that purse.
We knew exactly where it was. We even knew how to get there. But we could not go back. It was too late. Would we ever see it again? There was no guarantee. Nobody seemed to know where it was and kept passing us to another office.
As we went through customs, as we waited for our next flight, as we flew on, as we arrived in Fort Myers to the welcoming arms of Melodee’s parents, as we tried to sleep…all we could do was pray that her purse would be found.
Jesus knows that we can relate to that theme. In fact, he equated our salvation to something precious that had been hopelessly lost.
Sometimes you have to realize how much you are lost to truly appreciate that you’ve been found!
Praise God for his precious gift of salvation! Why is it so hard for us to remember that there is nothing more important in the world for us?
Our trip has had other adventures.
We had to purchase a top carrier to fit all our luggage as we drove through tropical storm Alberto.
Obviously, without a driver’s license, Melodee could not drive.
A little before Daytona, our service transmission light went on. God provided a mechanic who promptly took us in, right there in the car racing city.
God provides above and beyond. The purse was found. The car is fine.
First Week Itinerary
We get the idea that perhaps this message we must share is important enough to attract the attention of the devil. So much to share! Such important news! God is a work in Italy!
Sunday we will be at a Meet and Greet at First Baptist of Elkhart, Indiana (see the rest of our itinerary here.)
From there we will settle in to our mission home for the summer in Grand Rapids.
Here are a few quick prayer requests:
- Travel protection
- Spiritual protection
- Refining our presentation and making good connections
- Preparing worship for the Baptist Mid-Missions Family Conference
- Keeping connected to people here and Italy
Our theme this year comes from Colossians 4:2–3
Thank you for praying! We never want to leave home without it!
