Amazing Grace

When we see the project's far bigger than us,
A glimpse of horizon through chaos and fuss,
It stops us, confronts us, with large playing field,
And asks us, “Push forward?”, “To hopelessness yield?”

I put them in sequence of logical flow,
The novels and poems since six years ago;
I found a brief outline of non-fiction book,
No depth I then fathomed – just cursory look.

The novels – like Proverbs – one verse gave a drash –
My insight that evening when Redvers was trashed;
A key – oh how simple – which opened a door
To hear Northern Proverbs, with them so much more.

Another – ’bout Exiles – their big picture seen:
A light to the nations where struggle had been;
Of how it got sidelined till timing was right,
When Jesus' Apostles took salt, leaven, light –

Up over the boundary to cultures out here;
We gave them a hard time, fulfilling their fears;
But they pushed on forward all over the globe;
Now we have such blessings, as Scripture foretold.

Then jump to the present – five novels, the best,
(Response to a question, results of a quest);
“New Glossop ” gave rise to us third culture kids,
And need for Apostles to work in their midst.

Then poems emerged as my “Journey” began;
My world stopped completely as hurdles I ran;
When that was all over I shifted my path
To Giver-land gateway – to Heartland, as asked.

For two years this summer I've sought out a way;
Left path for the others to follow some day;
Next, book about lepers and missions for sis,
Brings all this full circle – the part that I'd missed.

I mentor some others in ministry now;
Use of pictures and writing as I show them how
To make life successful for folks in their flock
Who live in this context, and journeys now walk:

First Nations? Self learning from culture's the key
To turbo-boost learning, gain insights and be
Successful in living, feel hope rise each day,
By harnessing culture to do life their way.

Renewal of churches is simple enough –
Adapting the process from Internet stuff
On missions (the good stuff, not baggage from past),
Applied to the cultures who've come here at last.

The third of these aspects to turbo-boost work,
Relates to connecting the Givers to Church,
(Not as an establishment, glass, bricks, and wood,
But body-life aspect be here understood).

The task to be done when Apostles go home,
Is what I was seeking when out of here I roamed;
“The piece that is missing”, I termed it back then,
And went on my quest – now I'm back home again.

It's here in this Heartland my questing takes place;
It's in Word, not outward, what's left of this race;
I had no idea the scope of this task,
But He did, and graced with far more than I'd asked.

I thank you this Sabbath, O God of my heart,
For giving me more then I saw at the start;
I pray for Your patience and grace to the end,
When we leave this journey and to You ascend.

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