On the couch, two year old Princess Eden is softly snoring as she clutches her baby doll.
In the next room, Princesses Moriah and Alexis are snuggled together as Princess Brynlee dreams peacefully in the crib. Peaceful sleep....it is a gift from God. Never take it for granted.
Half of my bed is cold tonight. There is no Prince for me to share my warmth with. My handsome Prince is in a land far away.
Prince had to return to Jamaica ahead of us to work in the church. We will be joining him as soon as Brynlee's passport comes in and we have it stamped at the Jamaican consulate.
Danger in Jamaica is not something I like to talk about or even share with others. Usually in my writings I like to crack a few jokes and bring a few smiles. I love the feeling of posting something that makes you hug your husband and children closer and treasure your time with them. Tonight my mind is very serious. Do you know how many times people have teased us about being "on vacation" when they find out we live in Jamaica? That joke was cute until my first survey trip. You want me be straight forward and blunt? Jamaica (like many other mission fields) is a land full of stealing, murder, rape, and cheating, all cloaked in a luxurious robe of carefree summer breezes.
Do you want to know how many times my husband has been "propositioned" since we moved to Jamaica? No, it's worse then that! How many times women have tried to seduce him in the last few days? It would shake you!
Pray for missionary husbands!
Do you know how many times I've had mostly men (but women also) ask me to give them my daughters? Does your child know what it's like to have the threat of kidnapping hang above them? Have you ever explained an escape route and routines with them in the case of someone breaking into their home?
Pray for missionary kids!
Do you ever think about how it feels for a missionary wife? A lady living in a different culture having men ask her things that would make my computer screen blush? (Lord, help me use the right words to make them understand.)
A missionary wife hears a sound at night and wonders if someone's sawing the bars off a window.
A missionary wife sends her husband off with a kiss then wonders if he'll be safe on the roads today.
A missionary wife leaves her home and wonders if someone will break in and go through her belongings while she is gone.
A missionary wife, like a mother hen, constantly keeps her chicks close while scanning the yard for possible threats.
A missionary wife falls to her knees begging God to protect her family.
A missionary wife knows God.
Please don't joke about me being on vacation. One of these days I might blow my top and spout off, "I'd like to see you try it." {smile} Unless it's a supporting pastor, in that case I'll settle to talking to you about it.
Missionary wives are tough as nails. With a backbone of steel and shoulders that carry way more than her share. Our job is not for the faint of heart. We humbly and thankfully take our stand beside our husbands.
I'll close with saying, I love Jamaica. I love the people and I love the culture. This post is in no way meant to talk bad about the beautiful people there. If you asked a Jamaican they would tell you just what I said...probably more.
Pray for your missionaries, one of them might be my friend.
12 comments:
Maria, thank you sooo much for this post! What an eye opener! Our prayers are with you and your family.
Maria, I have sensed some times in your posts the danger that yall might face. To my shame I haven't prayed for your family the way I should. I will pray for your family more vigilantly. God bless you and the work you are doing for Him.
I love your blog. What a great candid post. I read it outloud to my husband. This made us relive very similar realities. All I can say is, I identify completly.
One time we were visiting Japan for visa issues. The country is safe and very clean by contrast to the country where we lived. I remember my children grasping that feeling of safety that most in the US take for granted. They looked out of unbarred windows without guards and wondered how it could be safe...
Blessings to you as you return. We are also getting ready packing this time the country will be different,but the realities similar.
Yet, we wouldn't have it any other way. Our children still gain more than they lose. May we who serve abroad be ever mindful of whence cometh our strength. So good to trust Jesus.
I thought that of missionaries going to exotic countries, until I saw the slide presentation from the Lowe's going to the Bahamas. It shocked me to see the difference between the tourist part of the country and the "real part" just over the mountain. Not so much a vacation!
Thank you for the reminder of the trials, temptations, and dangers that missionaries face and giving us a better way to pray for you all!
Love ya!
Missy
I have thought of your beautiful blonde daughters and (though I've never been or even really studying Jamaica) I assumed that they get more attention there than you would like (the wrong kind of attention). I've payed for them... to be safe, sheilded, stay innocent of the evil inentions some would have. One of my friends (Jenn Beil) is a missionary in Ghana and when asked what the hardest thing for her was she said it was the forward advances woman (half naked) make on her husband. I really can not put myself in your shoes (or hers). But I love you and thank God for using plain old regular people to spread His Gospel, here and abroad. I'll be praying for you... going back to your home in Jamaica, leaving family in the US, being away from your husband, all the stress of travel with 4 children and ALLLL the needed stuff. Ok... done rambling. ☺
I have read your blog for awhile now, but have never left a comment.....
Thank you for your reminder. We that are safe in the US often fail to think of the danger our missionaries are in daily.
My dear friend~
Thank you for sharing this post, I know that it was not easy to write and I, also, do not like to mention these things in my posts {or even dwell on them} However, it is so very true and I most certainly relate to 95% or more of the things you mentioned. Maybe we need to stop shielding people in the states from the harsh realities we face on a day to day basis. It is a joy to serve the Lord where He leads us, but it is NOT a "Vacation"!!! {Shudder}
Thank you for sharing your heart and speaking the truth in love.
I love you and pray for continued safety for you and your sweet family! Squeeze those princesses for me!
"One of those missionary friends"
Heather G.
Thank you for sharing some mostly not-talked-about, but very real life. While each missionary's struggles are different, it's hard sometimes to know what to share.
Praying for you and your family!
In Him,
Steph
Some of us would give anything to serve God with our life, but have a husband or something that makes it so we can't. Your the lucky one, not us. your whole life is serving him, in such a great capacity. I understand asking us to pray for you, but you came off sounding mean about it. Why did you have to add " want your turn bushel britches"? Yes I would love my turn.
Dear Anonymous, you can "serve God with your life" without being a missionary. As a Christian our "whole life" should be about serving Him no matter where we live or what situation we live in. I will admit many times I think of myself as "lucky" also. Often I think about how the blessings outweigh the inconveniences. The silly words "bushel britches" is a goofy phrase from the Disney cartoon Robin Hood. It is not meant to be mean or ugly. If you read the post again you might notice that phrase was used for those referring to life on the mission field as a "vacation". Love, raising4princesses
Great post! I am a missionaries daughter, who grew up in the mission field, and I know that everything you said is so true! Praying for you all!
A just god would protect you from the evil that surronds you!
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