Going into the New Year

The Lokers are going back in time for another visit to Guatemala.  Since our roots are there, we always feel the pull of gravity to go south for a visit every now and then.  The last time we were there as a family was almost four years ago.  We will visit some Missionary Ventures field coordinators there, as well as see friends who work in similar recording ministries in Chiapas (which is on the way) and in Guatemala.

The children are looking forward to this rare road trip, which will be made even more fun since Hannah is home to go with us. 

Those of you who read my other blogs know that I sometimes struggle to remain in the present tense.  It's virtually impossible for me to focus on today without going back and remembering the past and/or pondering the future.  That's just how I am wired somehow.  Maybe it's the story-teller in me that remains in high gear; I don't know.

With the New Year coming, it's natural to be focused on the future, though, right?

Next summer we will need to be in the states for a few months to visit our supporting churches and hopefully find some more individuals to partner with us financially in our ministry.  The last time we were there was summer of 2009.  Our plans are in the early stages, but a primary concern at this point is that we have no leads on housing.

Do you know of any affordable missionary housing in the Cleveland, Ohio area where we might stay?  There will be six of us unless the kids find jobs elsewhere.

Please make these things a matter of prayer, and let us know soon if you have any suggestions.

We also need wisdom regarding transportation.  Travel through Mexico is not advisable, yet we need to upgrade our Suburban to something with fewer miles, less wear and tear, and newer tires.  If we drive up, we could bring back a newer car.  Even if we fly up, we will still have to find a vehicle to use for the summer.


If any of you have an SUV or Suburban that is still in good condition that you might want to donate to a very good cause.... please let us know.  We could sure put it to great use down here.

For that matter, please think of us if you are upgrading anything like furniture, iphones, bicycles, vacuum sweepers, bread machines, linens, or anything else we might need for our stay next summer.  Think of our teens if you can offer them summer employment or know of someone who might need their help.

Right now all of these factors seem a bit overwhelming to consider all at once, but we are looking to God, who has always provided for us in the past.  Each year we pray that the economic situation will improve so that former supporters might be able to support us again, but ultimately it is God who meets our needs, not necessarily our friends.

It's not too soon to start scheduling speaking engagements (even outside of Ohio) for next summer, so let us know if you are interested in having us visit your church, Sunday school, small group, or other gathering.  It's always an encouragement just to hear that people want to see us!  Every time we go back it is sad to see how busy everyone is, and how few have time to hang out and visit any more.  That's when we experience the clash of the cultures the most.

Meanwhile we are praying for each of you, that God will bless you mightily in all the ways that are most important, that you will prosper spiritually in the New Year.  For those of you with young children, hug them tight and read them stories and enjoy them.  It's true what they say.  In the blink of an eye they will be grown up and maybe far away.  You will miss these good ol' days!

Happy New Year's Y'all!

Are We Naive? (time share musings)

This past weekend Jim and I willingly submitted ourselves to a time share presentation.  (Two, in fact.)  Being cheap missionaries, it was a simple way to get a lovely free breakfast (twice!), see some property we would never be able to afford, and lastly to win a couple of tickets to a romantic dinner cruise and spectacular show for our anniversary.

Of course it is the job of those giving the presentation to sell us property.  We were duped into believing it would only take 90 minutes of our time, which in reality stretched to occupy the entire morning.  It was still worth it to us.  After we declined to purchase with the first salesman, we were approached by a second, and then before we got our "prize" (tickets to the show we wanted to attend), we were subjected to one final sales pitch by yet a third person.

What none of the three could comprehend was the extent to which our life is not our own, and to which our finances are not ours to spend as we wish.  We have turned over all our rights and deeds to the cause of the gospel.  I'm sure we were a sore disappointment to all involved that we did not sign on the dotted line in Puerto Vallarta.

Since Saturday I have been mulling over the thought of how these high pressure sales people rope unsuspecting people into spending the family fortune on future vacations they may or may not ever take.  What they say actually makes sense in terms of "saving" money on airfare and lodging, but as my dad always used to say, "You are never 'saving' money as long as you are spending it."  I would lie if I said we weren't tempted.

My secret wish is that we had some gentle, non-pushy people who believed in our ministry enough to go to bat to find "investors" for us like that.  I know it sounds silly, but honestly I sometimes think if we could only find a way to present what we do in the right light that people would gladly invest in the future harvest here in Oaxaca.  How can we do that, though?

The world's way of offering free tickets and cash and other incentives goes contrary to our belief structure.  We can't bribe people to come to Oaxaca on a vision trip, offering them fun romantic evenings on the beach just so they will become financial partners in our ministry.  Yet the way we have been doing it - staying very low key, apologetically mentioning finances very occasionally, and hoping and praying that people will magically give when needed.... seems ineffective somehow.

I don't know.  There are ministries out there who hire marketing people to handle these decisions.  I suppose that works.  For us, the question is, are we naive to just trust and obey?  Is that old-fashioned in today's economy?  Should we make up fancy proposals and try to convince people that what we are doing is worthwhile?

A business-minded friend once suggested we treat our ministry more as a business.  Maybe we should.  If you have any suggestions, we are open to hear them.  Meanwhile, we continue to be faithful, trying not to panic over donors who stop giving and over the expenses that are rising. 

Most of all, we vow to not feel guilty over taking a honeymoon after 27 years, even though a skeptical friend questioned the wisdom of posting beach and marina photos of Puerto Vallarta on our Facebook and blog pages. 

People may get the wrong idea, it's true; but if they do, well, they are mistaken!

No, we didn't buy a yacht either