Skip to main content

Too Old to Serve


We just had a work camp go home. They were definitely a unique bunch, and we absolutely loved them. They were all grandparents and one couple celebrated their 53rd anniversary this year. This group of folks worked as hard as any group of high schoolers and they had incredible attitudes and super flexibility. The truth of the matter is, they wore us youngin’s out!

If you think you’re too old to serve, think again. One woman, 72 years old, is going back to school to get her bachelor’s in theology so she can teach women the Word of God. One man said this was his 6th mission trip and was already planning his next one. My dear retired college professor was here, bad knees and in, last year teaching a women's seminar and it was fantastic. We have other friends that are coming down for the 5th and 6th time this January. They are both in their late sixties and are professional builders. They take their vacation time helping us build churches. Another couple is in their retirement and they want to spend it giving back to God. That’s why they decided to come to Paraguay. Serving is what keeps these folks young! Mature adults with a lifetime of experiences, stories and a love for God’s people make a huge impact on younger generations that are caught up in a “me-focused” solar system. So, what about you? What is keeping you from serving God with your hands, heart and feet? Is it your age? I hope not. God wants to use you, no matter your age, your wrinkles or your strength.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Christmas in Paraguay!

If you're wondering what Paraguayans do at Christmastime, they have some great traditions , including the " noche buena " meal on Christmas Eve at midnight.  They eat lots chipa guasu (a type of corn casserole, stay tuned for a recipe), asado or grilled meat (some eat it cold), salads, especially fruit salad, watermelon and drink mucho terere . Families travel from all over the country, many even return from working in other countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Spain, to celebrate with loved ones. This is us at last year's Kurrle celebration in Asuncion. Festivities are anything but a silent night with fireworks, loud music and drinking cidra (hard cider).  Most Paraguayans do not decorate Christmas trees (we decorate ours in shorts!) or emphasize Santa Claus.  Instead, they put beautiful nativities " pesebres " in their yards and in store fronts.  Kind of novel to focus on Christ at Christmas, isn't it! To beat the heat, many Paraguayans g

Paraguayan Weddings

On Valentine’s Day, we had the joy of attending the wedding of Sandra and Anastacio, young leaders in the church. Sandra is my assistant with Children of Promise and Anastacio, apart from his carpentry job, has a popular youth-focused radio program every night at 8:00 on our station. We’ve been to quite a few weddings, and these are some of the uniquenesses of southern Paraguayan wedding celebrations from our North American culture: 1. Nothing is fancy. Emphasis is placed on the act of marriage and not on the decorations or food. 2. It is not an expectation that parents help pay for expenses. Most families just make it each month with regular expenses and cannot afford to pay for eleborate feasts. Most couples have to spend months saving for their own wedding. 3. Borrow as much as possible. Many times wedding dresses are borrowed 5-10 times, because few women can afford their own. Flowers, decorations, shoes and ties (Norb loans out his ties often...since he never wears them!

Fighting Discouragement in the Busyness of Life

Hubby and I have made an agreement not to talk about sensitive issues after 10:00 p.m. It’s a rule in our household because when we were first married our late night talks would turn into fights and we would say hurtful things, because we were tired and our reasoning senses were shot. We eliminated almost all arguments with that simple rule. Exhaustion takes the best out of a person. Another new book on the market,talks about the high burnout rate among pastors. In reading reviews of the book, the author says that lack of sleep is one of the main causes of burnout. I’m reading this book that also deals with the correlation of sleep deprivation and discouragement. It’s a book for overactive people who are seeking to strengthen a love relationship with the Lord. Being in the ministry, I feel the demands of people’s needs constantly. Daily, we hear claps at the door to pray, to chauffeur people around, to do weddings, funerals, to lead Bible studies, to counsel just about any pro