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."

Recently, one of my daughters-in-law called me in tears. She had just received word from one of her friends that their marriage was breaking up. This couple had met at Bible college, served as deacon in their local church, been blessed with 4 children, and apparently were living as a Christian family. Shortly before Easter, "R" informed "J" that he had been unfaithful to her with more than one woman, and he wanted a divorce so he could marry the current "flame". This came like a bolt out of the blue for "J", who would not only be a single parent, but the main care-giver for four children, ages 7 weeks to 7 years. We were all shocked, having known these folks for a long time, served in church in Lake Mills together, and kept in touch through our son and his family. I tell you this only because I have been so moved by "J's" blog that I wanted to link to it from here. She is an amazing example of the FACT that God doesn't give us grace for a trial until we need it, but when we NEED it, He GRACES us. I am sitting here with tears rolling down my face, knowing that this could happen to any one of our family, too. Like Job, I pray for all of my children almost every day, and my heart shrinks at the very thought of that kind of trial being God's plan for any of us. Let us nourish our relationship with the Lord...love Him with all our heart, soul and mind. Let us renew our commitment to our mates...loving them as much as we love ourselves and shrinking from even the thought of hurting them by infidelity. Let us determine to protect our homes...maintaining careful distances from those on the outside who would threaten the most important relationship we have on this earth. But! Sometimes God allows this kind of trial in our lives, and I trust you will check out "J's" blog to read the clear evidence that "He Giveth More Grace When the Burdens Grow Greater."

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!