When missionaries would come to my church, I would suddenly remember that I had important work to do in the nursery. I thought they were dweebs with bad haircuts who whined about money.

As my older sister would say, `There you go.’

The wonder of the principle of sowing and reaping is that between work and school, I’ve been speaking at churches all over the place in the last few months. We are scheduled to return to Kenya August 9th, and I’ve had the chance to speak at several groups and churches.

People have generally been very kind. One old friend, however, brought his family to hear me in Springfield, Illinois and his stepson had the agonized face of a teenager who did NOT want to be there and had been dragged against his will. Because he looked so unhappy, I felt like it would be helpful to let him know how horrible it was going to be. I told him that I had been arrested for boring the life out of people in three different states, and that I was tired tonight, so it could get really bad. Afterwards, I asked him how I did, and he gave me the highest praise he was capable of giving:

`I’ve heard worse.’

I have learned one important lesson in public speaking. When speaking in Dallas, do NOT follow one of the coaches of the Dallas Cowboys. Some friends said they wanted to do a fundraising banquet for us, and they would handle all of it. They managed to get one of the coaches, and then told us we got to speak AFTER the coach.

This is Dallas, where many people believe that the Cowboys’ gas could be sold as perfume at Macys. I believed it myself in the early 90’s, and regularly purchased it in great quantities.

To follow a Cowboys coach was as nerve racking as any speaking I have ever done. Since he was a genuinely nice man with a real heart for what we are trying to do, it was hard to be anything but be grateful and hope that people would stay around for what we had to say. People were kind and generous, but I still wake up and wonder if the evening really happened.

Brief updates on all of us:

Nancy went down to Austin to attend a library convention. It was a good break for her, and she got lots of ideas for the library, as well as time with her best friend. Since the children all clustered at the door anxiously awaiting her return, I’m not sure the bonding time I had hoped for the rest of us occurred.

JT was truly enjoying track and excelling at it when his knee began to bother him. He had to have a cyst removed from his knee, and some repair work done besides. It was much more painful than he expected, and it has been discouraging for him. But the wonder of my oldest son is that he finds new things to occupy his time. He discovered a scholarship that he has applied for that is unique. If you attend your formal in a duct tape suit, you can win a 5k scholarship. Because he is on crutches, he didn’t think he would make the funniest of dates, so he gave himself to this project with a vengeance. He reports that all wanted to have their picture taken with him, and it was a bonding night for him with his classmates.

JT has started a new project. We encouraged both the older boys to come up with a project for Kenya; that they are there for reasons besides being related to Nancy and I. His project is to build a greenhouse at every school we provide lunches for. He drew up the plans, did the costing, and has come up with an idea that can really help Kenya start to replant. We are proud of him.

Matthew is running track, and improving every single day. He got his braces off, and has celebrated by chewing gum in his sleep. His project is to try to get Happy Meal toys shipped to Kenya for us to give to the kids in the hospital and orphanages. His line is : Lost the Need? Plant a Seed!

Ben and Kate are enjoying swimming lessons and half price books. They go to a Mother’s Day Out for a morning a week, and come home with stories about the infamous Kevin, who never obeys. One shudders to wonder what stories Kevin can tell.

I can tell two stories. One of the best people I know, and one of best friends I’ve ever had is a man named Jeff Franzwa. He has a fine family and works hard. If you don’t look deep, you see nothing out of the ordinary. But if you have been lucky enough to look deep, you will see an extraordinary man. My distance away helped me see the miracle he is.

Because I went to Africa, I get pats on the back and the occasional pulpit to share. But I’m the same guy I always was, and I was unique before I ever went to Africa. I needed someone to see that. My suggestion to American Christians is to see the wonder in all our brothers and sisters, and give lots of room to celebrate it.

I keep saying it, but there is nothing special about a missionary. What is special is finding out what He has called you to, and doing it. Which means there is a special story in all of us that needs to be sought out, and given a forum. I appreciate that I have one, but I long for the day when Christians see what the special thing that God has put in all of us.

I’ve been so grateful for the opportunity to speak across the country. I spoke in Ohio one morning, and then traveled several hours to speak at another church in the evening. It was cold, and I was curious to see who might turn up.

There were about 15 people who showed up, and they were kind beyond kind. I shared my current favorite scripture: `For I know the plans I have for you’ says the Lord. `Plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.’

But what I will never forget is a little girl who came up to me with a box she had decorated. She told me that she had read the emails about the hungry kids, and so she had decided to go door to door to collect pennies for them.

She told me she wanted to give them hope.

Little kids helping little kids is about as good as it gets.

Your pal

Steve