Because we are very seldom able to attend our home church on Sundays, it is difficult to serve in the usual ways. I decided to have a "hello" ministry! On my way to church, I ask the Lord to lead me to people who would benefit from a greeting, who need someone to show an interest in them. We arrive at least 20 minutes before the service and I keep my eyes open for folks I haven't seen at church before. I have promised the Lord that I will act upon His promptings and stop to speak to anyone whom I don't recognize! This may not seem like much of a ministry, but have you ever heard the comment, "I visited that church, and NOBODY even spoke to me!" At least when I have greeted a visitor warmly, they won't be able to honestly say that nobody spoke to them.

Last summer I was having one of those tiring, difficult Wednesdays...at the supper table, I expressed to my husband that I wished we could just stay home because I was tired and crabby, and he was actually not feeling well, either. But we would have to be on our deathbed to stay home, so, we went, but I was crabby. Near our car in the parking lot, there was a van with Tennessee license plates. The entire back of that car was covered with conservative bumper stickers. I made a snide comment about people who think everyone should have to read their opinions as they drive down the road. (Did I mention I was crabby?!)

As I hurried down the aisle, I walked right past two women whom I did not recognize. They looked at me, and I at them, but I kept on going, without stopping. I got about 5 feet away when the Holy Spirit reminded me of my "hello ministry." So I turned around and went back. "How long have you been attending Calvary?" I asked.

The answer was delivered in an obvious Tennessee drawwwl, "This is our first time here." Uh-oh! I was talking to the very same people whom I had only moments before criticized for their outspoken bumper stickers! Things were about to get interesting.

"Are you just visiting the college?" I asked sweetly (not so crabby anymore!)

"No, I live about 6 miles northeast of here."

Surprise. "I live about 6 miles northeast of here!"

More southern drawl, "Yes, maam, a little town called Lebanon."

More surprise. "I live in Lebanon!"

To make a long story shorter, Becky told me that she and her mama from Tennessee had come to Calvary, hoping to find in that large congregation someone who could support and encourage her. She was going through a divorce, and had two little boys. Becky's mother would soon be returning home, and didn't want her daughter and grandchildren to be without someone who would pray with and minister to them.

I took down Becky's address and called on her the very next day. We have prayed together, cried together, studied the Bible together, and now are truly sisters in Christ. I am so humbled to think that the Lord would still lead a crabby Christian to a ministry opportunity (certainly, I did NOT deserve it!) I also think about what I would have missed if I had either stayed home, or if I had decided to ignore the prompting I clearly felt to turn around and say "hello."

Maybe when we are tempted to skip church services for the wrong reasons, we should consider that perhaps we would be missing out on an opportunity to be a blessing. Maybe every church member should learn the power of a "hello ministry."

When I obey the Lord before I even understand why or how things will work out, I am walking by faith, not by sight. Abraham did not argue or appeal (as he had in other interactions with God--see Gen. 17:18; 18:23) but he rose up early in the morning and left for the land of Moriah. He made preparations for the sacrifice of his only son, Isaac, even though he didn't know exactly how everything was going to happen. (I think I would have conveniently "forgotten" to pack the knife and wood!) Two servants and Isaac went along with Abraham. (NO mention of Sarah at all--can you IMAGINE what she would have said if Abraham had told HER of God's command??!!) Abraham simply "went unto the place of which God had told him.

It took 3 days of walking, but finally Abraham could see the place "far off." He clearly instructed his servants to stay where they were with the animals. By faith, he said, "I AND THE LAD will go yonder and worship and COME AGAIN unto you." His own words reveal that Abraham believed Isaac's burnt offering sacrifice would NOT result in his death. Hebrews 11:19 tells us that Abraham was thinking that he would kill and burn his only son (Absolute GRIEF!) BUT that God would "raise him up, even from the dead." What faith! This man had NEVER seen or heard of anyone coming back from the dead, but he was surely walking by faith. I have the Word of God, with details of people raised from the dead by Elijah, Jesus, Peter and the apostles, and, of course, the account of Jesus' own resurrection. But would I have the faith the obey a command from God to kill and burn my child, knowing that God would raise him up? ONLY if the Holy Spirit enabled me...unthinkable!

So Abraham and Isaac carried the wood, a knife and a torch of flame toward Mount Moriah: "...and they went, both of them together." Abraham was obeying his Authority without understanding every motivation or detail. Isaac, too, obediently carried the wood, not understanding what was going to happen.

For me, this amazing account has a couple of obvious applications:

*I MUST "sacrifice" my children and grandchildren to the will of God, believing that God will make everything right in His time and according to His perfect will.

*I demonstrate faith in God when I obey His Word without questioning: "Why? How? But God...."

*Proverbs 21:3 says that "to do justice and judgment is MORE ACCEPTABLE to the Lord than sacrifice..." The choices I make to walk in God's ways are MORE ACCEPTABLE to the Lord than what Abraham did when he offered Isaac! Romans 12:1 says it--I am to offer my own body to God, a living sacrifice, holy, ACCEPTABLE to God.

Genesis 16:7-14

Once Sarah had convinced Abram to have relations with her servant, Hagar, in an attempt to create an heir from Abram's own body, things in Sarah's tent began to turn ugly. When Hagar discovered she was pregnant, she began to openly despise her mistress. Sarah was upset by this, and complained to Abram. He gave her permission to treat Hagar however she wished. (I think this is really sad because it shows how little concern Abram had for Hagar (with whom he had been intimate) OR for the baby (of whom Abram was the FATHER!). We can see that Abram certainly did not love Hagar or see her child as the answer to God's promise of an heir.

So! Sarah "dealt hardly" with Hagar, to the breaking point! Hagar "fled from (Sarah's) face."

CHRIST HIMSELF (appearances of Christ in the Old Testament refer to Him as "the angel of the Lord") followed Hagar into the wilderness and spoke to her. IMAGINE THAT! Here is a pregnant slave girl to whom God showed love and compassion and He SPOKE as directly to Hagar as He had spoken to Abram! Truly, God is NOT prejudiced, nor does He value one person more highly than any other. PRAISE HIS WONDERFUL NAME!

Here was Hagar's plan: RUN AWAY from my difficult situation! (This would probably have resulted in her death out in the desert).

Here was God's plan: RETURN to your difficult situation! God did not change the way Sarah was behaving, but He DID address Hagar's attitude toward Sarah (see 16:4-5). He told her to go back and submit to Sarah's authority. This command was attached to a wonderful, yet terrifying promise:
*You will bear a son and name him "Ishmael", which means "God Shall Hear"
*He will be wild and pugnacious
*Other men will oppose him, but he will dwell safely among his many brothers

Hagar's response shows that she knew she had met the all-knowing, ever present God--she named the location "Thou God Seest Me".

Even today, women are blessed to hear directly from God through the Word--open to all people. As God speaks, He promises us the grace and blessing that comes as we "humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God" and stay in even very difficult circumstances. As we obey God and submit to His ordained earthly authorities, His presence, grace and blessing will result--for GENERATIONS.

Proverbs 8:32-35 "Now therefore children, hearken unto me: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord."

As part of the WWFBC 2008 Ladies' Retreat on March 14-15, I taught a workshop on Ministering to Missionaries in Your Home. My challenge to the women is that our homes and all that we have are simply "Ours to Share." In addition to blessing the missionaries who stay in our homes, this is also a great way to start a network of relationships with people all over the world. Jim Elliot wrote, "Missionaries are very human folks, just doing what they are asked...simply a bunch of nobodies trying to exalt Somebody."

It is not just pastors who are commanded to be "given to hospitality" (I Tim. 3:2), but all believers are challenged to "distribute to the necessity of the saints, (be) given to hospitality" (Romans 12:13). Hebrews 6:10 reveals that God will not "forget your work and labor of love...(your ministry) to the saints." He commends the house of Stephanus, who were described in I Cor. 16:15 as ADDICTED to the ministry of the saints! When he wrote to the Romans, Paul commended "Phebe, our sister, (who) is a servant...and hath been a succourer of many." Webster's dictionary defines "succourer" as one who "runs to the rescue!" Would that every believer used the gifts of God to "run to the rescue" to traveling missionary families.

By way of practical advice, I mentioned that sometimes missionaries like to do the cooking when they stay in my home. When that happens, we know we are in for a treat, because we experience food from around the world. That is how I acquired the recipe for "Spaghetti With Eggs and Bacon!" Curious? Here's the recipe as I received it from missionary to Italy, Linda Bloyd:

8 oz. spaghetti
1/2 lb. bacon
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
1/2 c. milk or cream

Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, cook bacon, drain and crumble; set aside. Combine eggs, cheese and milk in a small mixing bowl. Drain spaghetti and return to cooking pan. Stir in egg mixture. Quickly toss and cook until the egg mixture is done and coats spaghetti. Stir in bacon and serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.

I also provided the ladies with advice about preparing a guest room and bath. I would be glad to send "How to Outfit a Guest Room and Guest Bathroom" to anyone who contacts me through the website.

We've had a lot of fun with missionary kids over the years. I remember one 5-year old MK who enjoyed a weekend romp with our own 5 lively children. When he was leaving, I said, "Nicholas, it was GREAT to have you here. I sure do hope you come again!"

He looked seriously into my face and replied, "Well, if you take us on for support, we WILL come back!"

There is a scriptural principle at work when we open our homes to serve missionaries: "with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." (Matt. 7:2). I would not encourage anyone to have missionaries in their home for what they can get out of it, but certainly, I have found over the years that I have never gone hungry because I shared my food with missionaries! My children have been blessed by the happy memories of missionaries who stayed many times in our home. We have enjoyed staying with missionaries in foreign countries, receiving from them the very hospitality we offered in the USA! And, best of all, I know the Lord is pleased: "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love...in that ye have ministered to the saints."

On Sunday, March 25, we attended services with Missionary Steve Hunter and his family at Grace Baptist Church, a ministry begun through Steve's careful teaching of the Word since 1999. One of the church men, Timothy, officially welcomed us and said, "I know this building is not what you are used to, but the church is the people...and we are people who believe that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sin, and are trusting in Him." What Timothy doesn't realize is that WE are the ones who feel very privileged to be here, worshiping with these 50 brothers and sisters...truly, they are functioning as a New Testament Church ought to function..."behold, how they love one another".

Joining in the laughter, Praising the Lord in Song (acappella, but 4 part harmony!),Listening to Pastor Songro preach from Hebrews, praising Christ, Who is superior to anyone or anything else! Following the service, folks stay around and visit together, so we heard many testimonies of salvation and thankfulness for Steve's willingness to bring the truth of the Gospel to Kosrae.

No, the building is NOT what we are used to...but the Christian fellowship is a joy, no matter where we are in the world. A taste of heaven on Kosrae...thank you, Jesus.

More Photos from the Kosrae Trip are available here

Recently, I spoke at a ladies' tea at Holmen Baptist Church in Holmen, Wisconsin. As I talked with the ladies about Leaving a Legacy, I warned them about thinking that their possessions were adequate as a legacy! We ought to be living our lives in such a way that those who come into contact with us go away with a spiritual legacy...salvation, a deeper appreciation for the greatness of God, clearer understanding of His truths, etc. As an illustration, I told the ladies that sometimes I test my attitudes toward possessions by promising the Lord that I will listen carefully until someone says, "I really like ___________" about something that belongs to me. When I hear that, I will immediately GIVE that item to whomever spoke those words! So far, it has always been something I was using to decorate my house, and it is very freeing just to trust the Lord to choose whatever He wanted! We had a great time of spiritual fellowship around the table following my devotional, and I left Holmen praising the Lord.

The very next week, however, God showed to me His unfailing sense of wonderful humor...at least, I think He was kidding! Two ladies came over to help us begin to plan Abbie's wedding (yes, she is engaged!). The first one who came in was my niece, Lyssa. She said, "I just LOVE your house! I could just move in today!" Gulp! My other helper, Layna, expressed, "I have always loved your couch and loveseat!" Double Gulp! So I told them laughingly my story, and said I would have to check with Wayne to see if I could give away our house and furniture!

Sometimes, God DOES ask us to give up those things...in December, Pastor Tom Fuller and his family lost their home & possessions in a fire. Do we have a spiritual legacy that is eternal in value? If the only legacy we are leaving consists of material possessions, our heirs are to be pitied. With the Apostle Paul, I encourage you "to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35).

Who? Me? By 2001, I had been the wife of Pastor Wayne Vawter for almost 30 years and pretty much knew what to expect! So when Wayne determined that the Lord was leading him into a new ministry as the mission director for the WFBC, I was prepared for many changes. Of course, he would have to resign from his pastorate at Rock Lake Baptist Church in Lake Mills. We would be moving into the WFBC parsonage in Sun Prairie--a home I had visited many times when Dr. and Mrs. Jim Elkins and Dr. and Mrs. Leon Leeds had been living there. We would no longer be members of a church where we were in the middle of every event, surrounded by people to whom we were ministering day by day. I would have a pastor who was NOT my husband for the first time since 1976! We soon found that the ministry of the WMD (not Weapon of Mass Destruction, but Wisconsin Mission Director!) is similar to the experience of a missionary on deputation or furlough...a different church every Sunday, eating in restaurants and staying in homes or motels.

But one of the most surprising changes for our family was the fact that we rarely have Sunday dinner together. In 2001, 2 of our 4 sons were still living at home, attending college, and our daughter was beginning high school. Abbie traveled with us every weekend through her high school years, but the boys were active in their own local church and busy with school and work. It was a big change for them when we no longer had weekly roast beef or baked chicken dinners, complete with homemade dinner rolls and special dessert! In a very few weeks, they tired of frozen pizza! When we were ministering in the churches, we often enjoyed church dinners because it is a good way for us to get to know folks around Wisconsin. But we missed being together with our sons on Sunday afternoons!

When I think about it, though, it wasn't the food I missed...it was the time spent together. No matter how busy our lives became during the week, on Sundays, we spent time together, communicating with lively conversations over the meal. When that changed, we had to find other ways to stay connected...and, of course, we did!

One reason I want to have a blog here on the WFBC website is to have a way to "connect" with many friends around Wisconsin and the world. Since we cannot be together for a meal, we need to find other ways to communicate! I LOVE the ministry the Lord has given to us through the WFBC...traveling, talking, listening, praying, being with the Lord's servants all over Wisconsin. But we need to stay connected, even when Wayne and I are "on the road", headed for the next church! So, please post your messages, and I will share some of my thoughts and experiences with you here, and...in the end, we should all be connected, with or without Sunday dinner!