Every year NTM missionaries on furlough attend a Refresher Course in Camdenton, Missouri on the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks. This is a tremendous time to hear encouraging messages from the Word, re-connect with old friends, spend time with mission leadership, catch a renewed vision for world evangelization, eat great food, and RELAX.
When was the last time that we attended refresher course? The year was 1986, it was our only furlough, and our second son Dennis was 8 months old (he is now 21). Although we have often talked about going, there were always too many other pressing summer plans.
We left home on June 6 and stopped in Tulsa, Oklahoma for four days. Ellen had the privilege to help cook for Paul and Ernie’s 50th wedding anniversary party on the 8th. After visiting other friends, we made the trip to Camdenton arriving on June 12.
Dr. Richard Swenson spoke to us all about God’s sovereignty in our lives and the need for margins in all that we do. We spend so much of our time, energy and money on things that are of little lasting value and have nothing left over for what is truly important.
Bill Meersta reminded us that no matter how bad things get, we believers are still in a better condition than we ever were before we were saved. He shared the lyrics of a Babbie Mason song with us, “God is too wise to be mistaken, God is too good to be unkind. So when you don’t understand, when you don’t see his plan, when you can’t trace his hand, trust his heart.” It is so important for us to recognize that God is the only one who can see the how the tapestry of our lives will turn out.
One of the highlights of refresher course for Ellen was spending time with Rosie. Ellen and Rosie were roommates together at Central Michigan University 35 years ago before either of them entered New Tribes Mission. We have served in different countries and have not seen each other for 27 years. It was such a great time to get to know one another again.
We thank the Lord for this great opportunity and we want to say we came away truly refreshed.
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