Set the big table
How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
And how
shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:14.
On the Sundays when Mom said, "Set the big
table,"
we knew there would be guests from Who-Knows-Where. It might be the
pastor's family. It just might be missionaries who had left families
and homeland
to take the Gospel across the sea. It might even include nationals from
another land.
My two brothers, our sister, and I grew up without
the usual misconceptions about missionaries being super-humans. To us
they
were folks "with skin on"; with stories to tell of trekking through
soggy
underbrush to a remote village; of eating strange food prepared by
grateful
converts; of praying for rescue from under a capsized canoe after
taking
the Gospel to outlying islands.
Mom was active in many areas of church life. But no
activity produced in her more enthusiasm than missions. Supporting our
missionaries meant more than financial support and sharing a meal now
and then. She was active in every missions-oriented group.
Should anyone be surprised, then, that all of Mom's
children have become missionaries? We never felt Mom holding on to us
or her
grandchildren as we boarded a plane for distant lands. We knew she'd
like
us living close by, but she let us go.
Some of Mom's now-grown grandchildren are
ministering as well. We gathered recently [1989] from Asia, Pacific
Islands,
Europe and the
United States to celebrate Mom's seventieth birthday. Among the
great-grandchildren present was one recently born in Belgium.
Others might not consider Mom a missionary. But she
planted the seed of missions in us, exposed us to others who watered
and nurtured
it. I have no doubt that there are laid up for Mom many treasures in
heaven.
Lord, You promised to bless
the feet of those who preach the
Gospel.
Pour double blessings upon those who release their loved ones
to
go.
Beverly Caruso is one of the daughters of Dorothy Hall, an
American,
who is retired and living in California. All four of Dorothy's
children, and
several grandchildren are missionaries. Many of her 45 descendents are
or
have done short-term missionary work.
From the book Faith Builders from Around the World,
YWAM Publishing. Order the complete, 365 daily readings of Faith
Builders, for only $5.95. Email
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