Life of a Modern Missionary

I left Kansas City a week ago.  I've now been in Guadeloupe about as long as I was last year when I came with my family for vacation.  But during this week on this beautiful tropical island I've only had one real beach experience - about an hour yesterday.  I have not been to one museum (not even the Rum Museum!) or the famous zoo or anything much worth even posting about on Trip Advisor.  In fact, I'm a little ashamed to admit it, but we've eaten fast food twice (I'm in France and I'm eating at McDonalds!) and our biggest outing has been to the theater to watch "Mother's Day" - in English with French subtitles.

The reason for our low-key week is that my daughter Beth is a missionary working as a prison chaplain and this has been one of the busiest weeks for her in two years of living here.  You see, several months ago she read an article about a group in the states that has a specific ministry to the families of prisoners. These spouses and children are the forgotten victims when someone commits a crime and goes to jail.  Beth got the idea for a party for the families of Guadeloupan prisoners, a special day just for them to show them love and support.  She asked her mission partner here, "Could we do that?"  People loved the idea and the Fete Des Familles was created.  Beth is in charge and she and other organizers have spent months lining up food, drinks, games, a DJ, a clown and a bounce house.  They've recruited volunteers, trained them, invited the families and have had many, many conversations with prison officials.  Tomorrow, it will all come together.  I'll post about it in the next few days.

But needless to say, Beth is busy this week.  Last night was a steering committee meeting and today is our mega shopping trip.

Tomorrow is the party and we will spend most of the day welcoming weary families to a special day just for them.  Even though the prisoners will not join their families for this event, it's still a ministry to them as well as they hear about the fun their children experienced.

That's why we have not done much sightseeing and have even succumbed to fast American food and cheesy American movies.  Being a missionary on weeks like this is hard work.  So is her ongoing work of leading worship and Bible studies and simply listening and praying with prisoners.

The modern Christian Church (universal) is frequently attacked for being irrelevant and even harmful.  Missionaries are maligned even more.  But if God is everywhere and cares for everyone (as I believe) then God is on this island and in the prison and in the homes of the families of the prisoners.  And God sometimes calls and sends people with the strength of heart to go to new places and learn new languages and work alongside the people who live in those places so that God's love will be known and God's name will be glorified.

Beth is the Church, loving people here in the name of Jesus and on behalf of the Church. We who support Global Ministries and other mission organizations, we are here, too.  Just thought you'd like to know that you'll be sharing love and joy with the children of prisoners on the island of Guadeloupe tomorrow morning. Vive l'eglise!