A (long and maybe boring) Jon Post
Life is hard to understand sometimes. It’s also hard to do sometimes.
Thinking about life with my dog
Gasher agrees "Life is hard but fun"
Layne and I are in Botswana right now as this is posted. We own a vehicle from when we lived in Botswana (for those of you who tracked with us back in November of last year we bought one there to replace a vandalized/ruined one we owned previously) and dearly wish to keep it. I was speaking to Layne about “dream cars” for our current life here in Maputo and, honestly, I wouldn’t pick anything different than the Land Cruiser we own. It’s an amazing vehicle and has taken us across the continent of Africa 3 times and seems ready to do it a hundred more.
Working on my dream car
Well, to keep it here in Mozambique it turns out there are some papers and costs.
We need a “Police Clearance Letter”, essentially saying that we own it free and clear and didn’t steal it from anyone. This letter must come from Botswana and the vehicle must be there in order for it to be issued. Hence, we find ourselves driving 13 hours across the continent (again), simply to pick up a letter.
And we need to come up with some money. We’re not sure how much at this point (we need to get the afore mentioned letter to start the process and find out) but it looks to be anywhere from $1800 – $3500. No… we’re not trying to raise this money here and now on this blog (though we may later, heck… it’s a lot of money), I just mention it because it’s there and it’s on my heart and I like sharing what’s on my heart here with you.
On my heart… I don’t know if I communicate it all that well at times. With a daughter coming and an incredible wife I often find myself a bit preoccupied with thoughts of them and their safety.
Pray with me please. Pray with me that God grants them safety.
I heard a song a couple weeks ago by a desperate husband and father who simply wants to do both of those jobs well. He sings of his wife and children calling out to him and at times I can hear and see the same thing in mine.
Lead me with strong hands.
Stand up when I can’t
Don’t leave me hungry for love…
Show me you’re willing to fight
That I’m still the love of your life
And his/my response is simply to cry out to Christ
My beautiful wife loves me so well
Lead me
To lead her, with strong hands.
To stand up when she can’t
I don’t want to leave her hungry for love…
I’ll show her I’m willing to fight
That she’ll always be the love of my life
So lead me, because I can’t do this alone.
I want so badly to lead, provide for, cover over, and protect my wife and child. Pray with me please.
Me and my Angel
It is awfully hard to know how to respond when someone’s heart it so “out there”. But we’ve been there and we feel with you, Jon: the longing, the sense of insufficiency, the desperate need to protect those in your care, the hope that things will turn out a certain way, … and the certainty that God is bigger than all of our fears. Unfortunately, confidence in God’s bigness doesn’t eliminate the all-too-human dread of pain and discomfort. What a conundrum!
Lord, will you make a way for Jon and Layne to keep the Bison? And Lord, will you help Jon hear You … see You … leading him as he leads and protects his wife and daughter? Will you somehow give him a peace that passes understanding in the knowledge of your care and concern and bigness? And thanks, Lord, that You do see Jon, Layne, and Anaya; that You care for them so well. Help us, their family and friends, to care for them well, too.
Thanks for being real bro.
Don’t worry about the money, it’ll work out. One day when I’m a rich doctor I’ll pay off all the loans you had to take to get your car into Mozambique, just try to find a good interest rate ;-).
Nah, but for real man, thanks for awesome and being an example of a guy who loves his wife. I hope to love with the same dedication someday.
That’s a stellar song, I heard it once before. Me likey. Have you heard the new Andrew Peterson songs? Sooooo good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gs3fg_WsEg
Lol, I just got a better look at the picture when you’re with Gasher at the computer.
Go with the combined tech-lab/reactor. Two battle cruisers at once? Awesome!
Dear heavenly father up above I pray for Jon, Layne and babygirl Anya for their safety and everything else–only you God can see Jon doing and keeps doing a great job, as he has always and will do for his family..Your a strong and spiritual young man of God, Jon. He is always with you no matter what.. Take care luv ya’ll In the sweet name of Jesus Christ–Amen<!!!
Hi Jon. I can hear your heart in your post. My heart aches for you. But the exciting thing is… even when you cant do anymore than you have already, its ok… cuz God will fulfill everything and provide everything that needs to be provided. I sometimes think (Jeremiah felt this way when i was pregnant for Tshiamo and still does), that feeling of a desire to love, provide, do everything to care for your family, is a good god given urgency in a mans heart. I think its beautiful. It makes you turn to Him even more and trust that He will protect them, keep them healthy, even when you have absolutely no idea what to do. You are an amazing man Jon. Always thought that and always will. We will be praying for you and your beautiful bride and daughter. we do already, just now have even more direction. :) Love you guys. You are amazing.
Jon – Of course our utmost confidence is in God, only through Him can we do anything. But I also want you to know how much confidence we have in YOU. Your an awesome husband to my sister, my family and I have said this so many times. We couldn’t have picked ANYONE better; funny how God always goes with the best;) We know your going to do the same amazing job with Anaya. I’ll pray fervently for the Bison, finances, and peace for you both…
P.S. Nothing you guys write is boring, your African missionaries for Heaven’s sake! We’re the boring ones;)
Jon, I along with others thank you for sharing your heart with us. I love your humble need of the Lord and I believe He loves that in you as well;) We we trust Him in all these things and I for one will anticipate His Blessings in all of your lives, even in the hard times:)
Thank you Lord for the most amazing answer to prayer, a husband for our daughter who wanted to live out her life in Africa! You not only brought her a husband but a perfect mate for her, and a perfect daddy for their children. His love for You Lord is his means for all his strength….Amen!