The Weekly Wrap-Up: October 9-13, 2023

Heyo! I have returned!

Vacation was lovely, thank you. Not without its struggles, but I honestly had a great time with my parents. We visited family, toured some museums and battlefields, and slept in weird beds. All the things you could hope for on vacation, really. 

But I'm back in the office now. All good things must come to an end. (I don't know where that phrase comes from, but I don't actually believe it's true. It's just funny to use in certain instances.)

Anyway. I'm really just still catching up on things. I was gone for two weeks, but it always feels like much longer. And I still haven't slept in my actual bed since I immediately started a dog sitting gig when I rolled into town. Choices. 

I did start some work on a group of Swahili, which is going well. My boss actually left two days after I got back, so I am holding down the fort here in Greenwood. 

Two things you can pray about:

First, we lost one of our homeland missionaries quite unexpectedly on Sunday. Marty, our hospitality coordinator at HQ, had a heart attack. She had a big personality around here, and I know that she is already sorely missed. She had been with OMS for 42 years, living in Japan for much of that time. Pray for her husband David and for her children and grandchildren she leaves behind. 

Second, Israel. 

I'm struggling with this one. I saw way more of what has happened than I ever wanted to. There's this notion that Christians have to support Israel no matter what, and I'm not sure where that came from. What exists now is quite different from who God established as his Chosen People (who kinda lost that status when they rejected the Messiah, but whatever). Yet I can't and won't condone wholesale murder and rape from anyone. 

And OMS has a presence in Israel. I would ask you to pray for those individuals. Pray for the innocent civilians who are suffering. Pray for peace. I don't know what else to do. 

I think that's it. I don't really want to leave it on this note, but I'm just drained. I hope your weekend is restful for you.

Bye!