The San Antonio Banquet

Tuesday, September 17th, was Pioneer Bible Translators San Antonio Banquet. 

Jacob and I were invited to come and help represent PBT. Mostly because of how pretty and articulate I am....

We drove down on Monday and got to stay with the couple who were a particularly generous benefactor for our trip to Papua New Guinea last year. Moreover, they are a delightful couple who make splendid hosts and are good for hours and hours of storying about their adventures across the world. 

The banquet was a smashing success. 

Greg Pruett, president of Pioneer Bible Translators, spoke on transformed lives, a topic for which PBT has a multitude of stories. Quite a few times, I had to think about monkey brains (a nifty tool I use to distract myself from the subject matter enough to regain my composure) lest my eyeliner run. The breathtaking stories, the legacy of PBT, the accounts that I can only pray my ministry will contribute too, threatened to bring more than a tear to my eye. 

It's so good to be reminded of what Jacob and I are a part of. Oftentimes we can get bogged down in school work and to-do lists and forget the amazing adventure that this is merely a step of. 

I am so pleased to be a part of this organization. So pleased that I can sacrifice three days to work bring funds, not to my own ministry, but the greater ministry of Pioneer Bible Translators.  

As my beautiful hostess said, "My favorite organization to give to is Pioneer Bible Translators. Because I know that when I give to them, I'm giving to something that will extend through generations." Few things are more important than Bible Translation, she said, than giving the Word of God to people in their heart language. 

And I have to agree. 

I am ecstatic to be a part of this legacy. 

3 Abusrdly Simple Tips for Extending the Life of Your Missionary

So recently Danielle, who was my maid of honor, moved to Dallas with her husband. We hang out casually pretty frequently but we also workout together 3 days a week. And it's been great. Crazy. Having a friend. Like crazy.

I used to have a ton of friends! But then, I was living in a dorm and everyone lived right down the hall. Not everyone was free all the time but someone was usually up for some conversation whenever I was in the mood. And given that they were right down the hall, I didn't have to call and face rejection should they be busy. (After too many rejections, you stop trying...)

And then I left college. I left my home and my family and my friends. And I moved to Texas. Which wasn't a move I was really excited about. Excited about moving to the next step of the journey that'll take me to Papua New Guinea! But ... I'm pretty sure that the only reason Texans are so proud of Texas is that they need something to cling to, justifying why they live here. It's a delusion.

The missionary community has been great. Sympathetic of those who have left their family and loved ones and welcome them in. I've had friends come. But they also go. In some regards, it's easier to maintain these friendships as no one is leaving anyone. We're all at this huge train station waiting for our turn to leave.

But when I go home. When I try to reconnect with old friends...
It's hard.
I left them.
I left. and they went on living their lives. And then I try to butt back in again like nothing ever happened.
"Um... excuse me, Elizabeth, right? Listen, yeah it's been a long time but, you know, I've got things, going on, I've got to get back."
And then it sinks in.
This isn't my home anymore.
And then I leave to PNG and it's worse. Out of sight. Out of mind.
No one remembers you. a whisper in my ear. You're all alone.

And that's why missionaries are crazy.


So. If there's a missionary somewhere out there in the world, in the states or out, that you know and love, drop them a line.
1. Like their Facebook Photos
2. Comment on their facebook status
3. Send them an email
These and other gestures of reaching out let them know that while your life may be busy (and we totally get that! Our lives are chaos too!) that you still love them and that they aren't alone.

Happy missionaries stay on the field longer, doing more Kingdom work.
Extend the life of your missionary with a Thinking of You note!