Home to Host

I had a group of friends over tonight to my new home. After having lived out of a suitcase for quite some time, it felt good to open the doors to guests, feed them freshly baked banana bread that I had baked that morning, serve coffee, tea, pop, and water, and laugh together. We watched the Jane Austin Bollywood spoof, "Bride and Prejudice." Reminiscent of my friend's wedding in Delhi after Christmas, I found the dancing, singing, elephants, and glamor quite enjoyable.

Erna brought carmel corn, Beth brought delicious Indonesian cookies, and Michael and Kara, exchange students to NUS from Iowa State came last minute to join the fun. Ika, who also lives here, was free to join us too. Tonight was a night I wouldn't mind repeating often!

A Needed Break

It's hard to believe that one week ago today, I was on Isla Mujeres in Cancun, Mexico. Sometimes our lives get so busy that we forget to slow down and take in the life God has given us. I cherished the extended time with my brother's family. Minnesota greeted me at my return with its icy dry chill, yet I have been rejuvenated after ten days in the sun.

When I take time to rest, I find the perspective to take on the chaos.

Cancun Vacation

A Potted Plant

In college my room was nicknamed, "The Jungle." When I moved to West Africa in 2006 I had to find homes for over 50 houseplants. My favorite season is Spring when I can be outside digging in the cool soil, getting dirt caked beneath my fingernails, so that I can transform the wasteland of a backyard into a garden paradise.

A plant in the garden thrives. It enjoys the stability of consistent light, water, and soil.

I was that type of plant for a while. My roots had penetrated deep, soaking up the consistency of routine, friends and family close at hand, and a well-paying job that I loved.

There comes a time when a plant must be moved. A sharp-bladed shovel must sever root ball from soil and transplant the garden specimen into a pot. With proper fertilization, and regular water and sunlight, the plant will do well until its new location has been identified.

I've been that potted plant for nearly three years now.

In 2006, I said goodbye to my friends and family, my car, my home, and my garden. Though I enjoyed the greenhouse of the tropics for a season, I now find myself moving from place to place in my Jeep Wrangler. It's a simple life, and for that I am thankful. I am mobile.

Yet with the roots bound against the inside of some terracotta, I look forward to a garden somewhere, sometime.

God is faithful. In a way we are all potted plants. The only garden that will really satisfy is the one we will be planted in after we hear the words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Detail

Inspirational God

Memories of Liberia

Dream Big

Nathan is a life that is changed.

On a Sunday afternoon, my much-needed nap was interrupted with a "tap, tap, tap," outside my window. With my departure from Liberia quickly approaching, I did not want to take time to talk to Nathan, who sometimes talked for the pleasure of hearing his own voice. But when, with tears in his eyes, he said, "Teacher Stone, can I talk to you for a minute," I knew there was nothing more important than what Nathan had to say.

When I dream of heaven, I see kids there from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation worshiping the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I see kids that I shared Christ with standing with those they shared Christ with who brought their friends.

"I had a vision last night," Nathan began. "I was standing in a white, white place. And Jesus was there. And there were one thousand people standing behind me. I turned and asked one of them, 'why are you here?' And they said, 'because you told us.'"

There were days in Liberia I wanted to give up. I wanted to go home. There were days I was convinced I was having no impact.

But that wasn't true.

God is faithful. He used me to do His work that honors Himself. Nathan is a part of my dream. I see his face and his one thousand others standing there too. But Nathan isn't the only one I know. There are more kids. And the kids aren't just from Liberia either.

Dream big.

Jonathan N. Stone