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SERVE: Winter 2021

Winter 2021 SERVE READ THE SERVE (opens in e-reader) Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Recently, while playfully hoisting my kids up into their bunk beds, I showed them how to do a trust fall. Excitedly, one by one they enjoyed the nervous fun of closing their eyes, falling backwards, and waiting for my arms to grab them before they... Read More

In Between

During this time, we were supposed to discern where our family would go next. There was a little anxiety about this. I didn’t feel adequately prepared to “make a major discernment” during this rocky time of prayer.

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Eulogy for Frank W. Summers II

Dad sported an epic beard before it was cool. He could whistle like a boss. He could identify tiny birds by a flash of a wing, play guitar and sing beautifully, and in a world of quickly tied neck ties, Dad only used a double Windsor knot! If Dad was interested in titles and honors, he could have put over a dozen letters behind his name from all of the degrees he had accumulated!

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Legacies

Now that my Papa has passed on, I think of all of the tiny little legacies that you leave for your loved ones when you’re gone. Here are some of the legacies I’ll remember when I think of him. My Papa wore checkered shirts and guayaberas. He kept a handkerchief in his shirt pocket and would wipe his grandkids’ faces when we were little.

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So I Do Not Run Aimlessly

We started dreaming up a plan to build a fitness center and a school of faith and art to inspire local kids to live better. Many of the local youth only get one or two meals a day, and these are often just rice, noodles, plantains, or yuca.  

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A Lesson on Mercy

I was angry and resentful, counting the ways this man “duped” us. It was another lesson of mercy. If I think about it, how many times do I call on God just to get what I want? And he still loves me just like Chris loves this guy.

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Frankly, I Want to Go to Heaven

Naturally, in a family with eight children, you learn to take care of others. When Mrs. Genie asked us to watch over Mr. Frank while she went to visit a relative, we were slightly uncomfortable. Even though we were used to taking care of others, never had we taken care of someone whom we had respected as much as Mr. Frank.

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Child-like Faith

A few years ago, an estranged family member showed up at Eusebia’s door with two young girls, aged 3 and 6, that Eusebia had never seen before. The man instructed the girls to sit on Eusebia’s porch while he briefly described the unfortunate circumstances which led their parents to abandon them. He hustled back to his car, and drove away—never to be seen or heard from again.

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Hopeful Futures

Obed shared that he was ready to change. Unfortunately I didn’t believe him, but I gave him the opportunity to prove himself by inviting him to come to my house the next day and discuss it further.

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The Sweet Sound of the Good News

It was a wonderful affirmation to me of how important it is to reach out to the children in places like Taiwan who, by virtue of their age, tend to have more “fertile ears” and are more open to receiving the message. It was a beautiful day in so many ways. The kids even tried to help teach us how to play their instruments!

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Near Me

As a little girl, I could always tell when my mom had stubbed her toe. We would hear a crash from the other room followed by, “Praise you, Jesus!” Then, “I’m okay.” When I was learning the Ten Commandments, I asked her if that wasn’t using God’s name in vain? “No,” she answered decidedly. “I am choosing to praise God in my suffering. I really mean it.” 

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Do Not Say, “I Am Only a Child”

I love St. Patrick’s Day. He really inspires me. I am always awed by his story: to be kidnapped and enslaved, then escape, become a priest, and return as a missionary. He must have had some PTSD from his capture during which he endured many lonely years, probably abuse, and hardships of many other kinds. 

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A Bike Track in a Cow Pasture

When I first saw the land, I felt a bit discouraged. It was very overgrown with trees, bushes, tall grass, and brush everywhere. And there were cows and a horse living there. The spot he found for us to build was in a cow pasture! Well…at least the land would be leased to us free of charge, so I thought, let’s give it a try.

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More Than Just a Handout

In an effort to assist the poor in a sustainable way, several missionaries have helped those in need to build their own sources of income. Starting a business can be a slow and patient process, but it’s also fairly straightforward and common in many of the countries in which we serve. People simply need some starting cash, perhaps a little training and guidance, and a good dose of encouragement.

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