Home Sweet Home

To some people's request I am posting one of the stories of God's amazing work. Here is:

Four years passed without a word. We had pursued several means of communicating with our dear U believer brother. A year before we left the Middle Kingdom, as it is translated, our dear brother and his girlfriend made a speedy decision to wed. The wedding was enjoyed immensely by our family especially that the Bride and Groom ventured to invite Darragh to perform a special U cultural dance at the reception. Since she had learned some of the culture’s graceful dance moves and had actually been on Live Provencial TV she had no anxiety when she agreed. The party ended with glows on all faces but it was just the beginning of a process of their removal from our lives. The next several fall months we took only one excursion with them and even then she didn’t seem to enjoy our company but only had time to sleep.

The greatest gift a U woman could give her new husband is a child. There is no waiting around for college degrees, a new home, or even financial peace so we were only a little taken back when we discovered her to be with child. Their steps the next few months were not taken to our house but rather they distanced themselves from everyone in our U believer group. All of our good intentions of having them join us in a U group study on a biblical marriage came undone.
One night they called to tell us they had twins! They fervently explained that their twins had arrived and at that two months early! We had been invited to take a peek at the little cuties and took our concerns with us to the hospital regarding the early arrival. Much to our surprise the babies were SO big and unusually healthy considering they were two months early. Disappointed to not have the joy of embracing such soft little bundles we had to accept only peering through the glass windows (hospitals were much like the 50s were like here). We did get to inquire and learn about the hours of birthing with the new parents and then departed.

Jonathan bravely took to the task. It was not easy to do but Jonathan felt since they were believers and part of our body in the UR that Adis needed to be care-fronted (as Steve Keels puts it). He had been pretending all along with us. We only had hopes that they both would have just been honest with us and expressed they had blown it before marriage. I guess fear caught hold of especially Adis. Though we never shamed him but stood with open arms hoping for their repentance for the false production they had aired to us. If we aren’t honest with those closest to us will we be honest with God?

We did not see them for several months. They moved. No one knew where they were. But finally through someone that saw him on the street he learned we were leaving the UR. We absolutely loved them and so it was restorative to enjoy their company on that last week of life in the UR.
BUT now…. Four years went by. There was no answer on the emails. None of our friends knew where they were….and so the sun rose and the sun set on our task to find them. One of our great prayers was “Lord, help us to find Adis! Give us opportunity to encourage him in his faith and marriage.” That would be one of our pursuits while visiting the Ur this past summer. There were so many questions in our minds. How would we find him in a city of 2.1 million people? Where could we even begin? How will he respond?

First busy week in the UR: Jonathan and Daylon snuck off to go to the old familiar bank at the south Gate of the ancient city which in history had been governed by Adis’ own people. While standing in the lengthy line Daylon got a little bored. He reflected for a moment on how he had enjoyed the newer bank because of the large marble water ball that gently spins around on top of the water fountain. He could at least look at something while in line. “Dad, let’s go to the new bank. This one is slow.” Taking the Day’s advice they walked the three blocks to the 5 or 6 year old bank. As they proceeded into the bank to stand in the short line there right in front of them stood Adis with a big smile of gladness to see old friends!

We marveled later during a reunion of our families over dinner in a nearby restaurant. We encouraged them best we could in their sticky marriage. Now we have his new email address and even better they are connected with some of our friends and actually relatives that are missionaries who are also raising small children. What a precious God to have pointed us directly in Adis’ path. Thank you, Lord!!


please pray for our friends Adis and Agul My adopted C daughter.
Precious Believers making a HUGE difference in both worlds he lives in.
Reunion with our famous U instrumentalist!

The Yuanzi (courtyard) outside of our home sweet home) the large tree in the front was the kids favorite to climb.

Outside our old Ur apartment

The wall leading to our apartment

Good International friends

Best friends with some U-American girls