Christmas in—October!

Christmas in—October! Why not? Martha asked a couple of days ago if we could put up Christmas decorations. I hadn’t put up any of Bonnie’s Christmas decorations since she passed away in 2015. Christmas Day was her birthday, too. Bonnie grew up without any religious upbringing, and consequently, Christmas had no religious connotations for her and her family; it was merely a national holiday, a time of gift-giving and enjoying seasonal foods. For Bonnie, it was a secular Christmas, similarly as Saturday and Sunday migrated from their pagan origins to merely secular days.

So, Martha and I hauled Christmas fare from the attic in our Winona home. We did not put all of it up, but we squeezed a good portion of Xmas décor into our living room. Christmas in October? Why not? If retailers and their patrons can attempt to celebrate Christmas in July, why can’t Martha spread a little Christmas cheer about us. Besides, we don’t expect to be in Winona during the Christmas holidays; we plan on spending that time with three of Martha’s grandchildren and their parents in Ocala, Florida.

As a sidebar, a few years ago I was visiting a young family. I asked the children if their parents hadn’t told them that Christmas (gift-giving) happens twice a year—in July as well as December. Immediately, the little ones donned critical looks as they gazed at their parents, perhaps thinking that they had been shortchanged. I was more amused than were the parents!

Christian Friends in Myanmar

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About 30 hours from here to there, and of course, about 30 hours back. Two weeks there—in Myanmar. Martha and I left the USA on Thursday, October 4 for Asia and returned to North America on Saturday, October 20.

Sunday, Martha and I worshipped with the Collierville, Tennessee Church of Christ, great encouragers and one of our supporters. Today, Monday, we drove the two hours from our daughter Rebecca’s home in Collierville—outside of Memphis—to our parsonage in Winona, Mississippi. Rebecca and we refer to her home as our own private B&B; she takes good care of us.

Abroad, I taught the “Book of Job,” “New Testament Worship” and “The Cost of Discipleship” for about 60 hours total. One of the four instances of worshipping with precious brethren from two congregations in Yangon, it was my pleasure to speak about “Bible Authority.” Martha taught ladies for about 20 hours, too.

While in Myanmar, Martha and I viewed some sites together, but we especially enjoyed our Christian brothers and sisters. We also love playing with the children. The hardest part for us, though, is the very long journey—howbeit by three jet airplanes each way—across nearly 12 time zones—changing day for night and back again. Weary is hardly an adequate description of how we feel presently, but we will recover and adjust.

Martha and I are thankful to our Lord Jesus Christ and Christian brethren who make it possible for us to serve our God. We are likewise thankful to brethren around the world who graciously receive us and from whom we are edified.

Where Are We?

Where in the world are we? Can you tell from these two photos? For one week so far, we have been abroad. Martha and I traveled just under 30 hours via three jet airplanes to a country 10 and a half time zones from Mississippi. For one additional week, we will remain here. Other than family members, let us know where you think we are.

4 X 4

Four states by four states, Saturday and Monday. Martha and I left Winona, Mississippi on Saturday, proceeding also through Alabama and Georgia to Tennessee for Sunday speaking appointments. Monday morning, we reversed trajectory and traveled from Cleveland, Tennessee back to Winona.

On short notice, I assembled Sunday morning with the brethren of the Ooltewah, Tennessee Church of Christ and was permitted to talk briefly about out mission work. It just so happened that the congregation was having a fellowship meal after morning worship, and we stayed for that, too. Sunday evening, we worshipped with the Central Church of Christ in Cleveland, Tennessee. It was my pleasure to address the congregation regarding our ongoing mission efforts. Both congregations received us well and were of great encouragement to us.

Curiously, two of the evenings we lodged in a Cleveland hotel, the Oscar Myer Hot Dog Mobile was parked in the parking lot. That was the only marvel we viewed, though we considered Rock City, Ruby Falls and the Incline Railway in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We really didn’t have time to pause our return to Winona, since we are leaving Winona on Wednesday in preparation for leaving the USA on Thursday. Martha and I are headed for Myanmar (Burma) for a couple of weeks, plus the 30 hours travel time each way to and from the country. One of these days, we intend to linger somewhere long enough on our treks to “see the sights.”