A New Thing
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
Let all the nations gather together, and let the peoples assemble. Who among them declared this, and foretold to us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to justify them, and let them hear and say, ‘It is true.’
Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
~ Isaiah 43: 1, 9, 18-19
I’ve been a missionary before. I’ve sold my furniture, packed up my possessions and moved overseas to be part of the missionary work of the Church. “I’ve done this before.” I thought. But, once again, God is making all things new.
As January 2022 approaches, and issues obtaining my visa have prevented me from travel, I remember that God is making all things new: a new country to discover, a new church with which to work and a new community to explore. The former things have and will continue to inform my new experiences, but I have never been a missionary pastor before - to the La Siesta community, during a pandemic, in this time of our lives.
Some of the “former things” that I take on my journey:
My family’s love and support. My parents, siblings and their children are based in Southern California, my “home base.” As I have moved out of the parsonage provided by my former church, I am currently staying with my parents, enjoying home-cooked food and loving support as I prepare for my work in Alicante.
My dog, Po. She is an eight-year old black lab mix and she has been my companion through many moves and life-changes. This will be her first international move, but I have hired a company to look after her and deliver her to me safely once in Spain. She was born in Hawaii and her full name is Po’ele, Hawaiian for the “blackest part of the night.” She is (like I am) showing her age a bit, with white spots on her face and belly, but she still has the occasional energy of a young pup.
My faith that God is with us. Isaiah assures us that God will “make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Although it may be difficult for us to see, it is there, waiting to be revealed. God has led me to you and you to me and God will make a way for us to be in the same location together, doing the work of ministry. In the meantime, we can be in ministry together from afar. I am looking forward to Zoom gatherings, emails and phone calls during January as I await news about my visa. And Po and I look forward to being with you in person soon.
“I am about to do a new thing,” Isaiah writes. “Now it springs forth. Do you not perceive it?”