A lot of people ask us how we feel about bringing Ty overseas. Here is a letter we wrote to him as an answer. We hope it communicates our vision for reaching the unreached.
Dear Ty,
Lord willing, within the next couple of years, we will be moving overseas preparing to go to a tribe that has never heard about what Jesus has done for them. In some ways, it is a big sacrifice, and there are things for which I feel sad for you. I feel sad that you won’t live near grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I feel sad that you won’t have a ton of opportunities to play on a sports team, get music lessons, or be a part of school activities. I feel worried bringing you somewhere that is not as safe or as healthful. Ty, you won’t have the coolest toys or video games, and we’ll never make a lot of money. But Ty, I want more for you than a safe, comfortable, status quo life. I love you too much to settle for helping you to be safe and circumstantially happy. All of those earthly comforts only last for this life. Do you know what I want for you?
I want you to know and love Jesus, and spend eternity in heaven with Him. I want you to have not just a few years with family, but forever. I want you not to just have a lifetime of opportunities and joys, but a million lifetimes. I want you to know and love Jesus, because Ty, He loves you so much more than I ever can. I can’t explain to you how incredible it is to be in relationship with the God of the universe who knows you fully and loves you so deeply. I’m thankful to know Him, and all I want for you is for you to know Him.
Sure, you could come to know Jesus if we lived in the U.S. and I kept being a teacher.
But you see, He has called our family to this ministry. If we stayed, I would be teaching you that He is a God that you can disobey, a God who isn’t worth it to follow, a God whose joy is not better than what this world can offer. I wouldn’t be showing you that I love Jesus with all my heart, that knowing and following Him is where I find all peace and joy, that living for Him with abandon is the only way to live this life.
So Ty, let’s go to another country. Let’s go to a tribe that has never heard about how Jesus died for them. Maybe you’ll make a friend who you can play soccer with, shoot slingshots with, or climb trees with. Maybe you’ll get to be the one to tell him about Jesus.
Maybe I’ll get to tell his mommy about God, and the hope He offers to her and her little boy, who she wants the world for just like I do for you.
I love you Ty. Your Daddy loves you. Jesus loves you. Let’s go on an adventure. Let’s see what Jesus is really like.
Love,
Mommy and Daddy