It's been brewing for a few weeks, and then hit us hard this past weekend. We feel like we've hit a wall.
We're tired of attracting unwanted attention everywhere we go.
Tired of being seen as gigantic, walking dollar signs.
Tired of wondering what people's real motivations are.
Tired of trying to work in dysfunctional systems with colleagues whose world views conflict so often with our own.
It's easy for our hearts to harden, and for us to make sweeping generalizations about "these people!" in retaliation to feeling like we've been caricatured ourselves as rich foreigners with limitless wealth. And it brings into stark relief the challenges of taking this definition of agape love seriously, agape love as:
“A profound concern for the welfare of another without any desire to control that other, to be thanked by that other, or to enjoy the process.” -Edward Nason West
Wow. Please pray for us to walk on, faithfully each day, stings, pricks and all. And please pray for us not let the frustrations of living here discourage and distract us from doing the work God has given us to do.
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A very, very special thank you to all of you who have been praying and encouraging us from afar. It's amazing and humbling to know you are out there, all over the world, helping to hold us up.
Hi Duncan and Jen, I join the many voices praying for you and for the people among whom you live. May your steps bring light along the paths you walk each day. May you be strengthened as you grow, by God's grace, in agape love. May the the moments of frustration be swallowed up in the moments where you sense the nearness of God's presence. Thank you for leaning into the call... With gratitude, Mrs. Mazyck
ReplyDeleteMama Mazyck! So lovely to see you here. Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement. Best wishes to you!
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