On Assignment - at home in Texas

Our relationship with the congregation at S. 11th and Willis in Abilene, Texas molded much of our mission-mindedness. We were married on December 21, 1984  - the day Shirley graduated from Harding University - and drove from Searcy, Arkansas to Abilene, Texas where Scott would finish at Abilene Christian University. We arrived on a Saturday late and Sunday morning went to services with the couple we were staying with. It was S. 11th & Willis that welcomed us and we have remained with this congregation in our hearts all the years since. They took us out to lunch that Sunday (everyone drinks sweet ice tea), showed us around town and made sure that we had everything we needed (including, in the coming weeks, a place to stay and a car to use). 

When we attended ‘Willis’, it was a congregation with a strong emphasis on missions and reaching out no matter where you are. They are still a missions congregation all these years later. It was exciting to see the work being done with some of the refugees from Burundi, the long emphasis and dedicated love for the church in Kenya, both deaf and hearing, the deaf congregation at Willis and all the local efforts to be the body of Christ in the community. We usually end our home assignements here – that is how the loop of travel works out, and it means that we have a safe, restful place before we head back to Belgium. This time Texas is in the middle of our travel loop, but it was just as encouraging.

We were treated to a surprise when the congregation held a reception and money tree for Stephan and Natalie on the first Sunday we were present. They had mentioned to us that they wanted to bless the couple, and Stephan was ‘theirs’! Stephan was born in Abilene and his first Bible came in cradle roll from this wonderful family. To make it complete, we mentioned that we could skype with Stephan and Natalie during the reception – what a great thing technology can be! So, although it was quite difficult to hear one another, many in the congregation were able to meet Natalie and say hello to Stephan.

E.B., Jean and Max

Throughout the week we took the opportunities offered to meet with members – often for lunch or dinner (everyone still drinks sweet tea). Sitting down together always brings with it a level of fellowship and unity. We stayed with E.B. and Jean Dotson who originally arrived in Abilene about the time we did all those years ago. E.B. takes so many missionaries' tax worries on his shoulders and  Jean's heart goes out to everyone seeking peace who doesn't know that peace is truly to be found in Christ. We are so thankful that we are able to spend time with them (and with Max, the parrot this time). We also visited Amanda Martin who is now studying at ACU – amazing to see how ‘our’ young people (Amanda is from the congregation in Long Beach) are all grown up! Scott was also able to connect with a friend from his high school days for a good talk.

Thanksgiviing beckoned and Black Friday loomed this week as well. We were blessed to be ale to share Thanksgiving with the Bundy’s in Graham, Texas (about 90 minutes away). Good food and fellowship there as well. This was all possible because of the giving hearts of members back at Willis lending us their car. As someone mentioned recently: perhaps it was fitting that we were leant a convertible in California and a pick-up truck in Texas. We were very thankful for both!

At home with the McNeill's

Scott brought the sermon the second Sunday morning in Texas and we headed out to Haslet, Texas to meet up with the McNeill’s, our long-time friends and supporters. It was good to drive up, unload and be completely at home. There are some families that can do that for you and such are the McNeill’s. It was a very short visit, but we were thankful to be able to see them and check up again before they drove us very early in the morning to our flight to Minnesota.

These people were some of the first to teach us about giving and sharing. It was good to see them, hard to miss some who have passed away, but encouraging to know that we will all meet again. That has always been enphasized. And their example of giving and sharing is something we try to continue in our lives. Now we are the ones who welcome young couples, young people, young Christians and show them the beauty of living daily with Jesus Christ.