Food, Friends, and Fire

This post should have gone in awhile ago, but I was on a computer that lacked the pics. A while back our dear friends, Geoff and Joy Metcalf and their son Chris visited us from Australia. They had been missionaries here about 12 years ago.

Joy is a midwife specializing in neonatal care and during their time here, she helped us through many a situation at the little children's home working with marginalized infants. She and I are close....so close do I feel to this very excellent lady that when they returned home to Aussieland, I could not bring myself to go to the particular McDonald's where we had often met for coffee. Still have not been back. I would do anything to get this couple back on the field.

Geoff is the most practical of men. His friendship has meant much to us over the years....he is our instructor in Aussiespeak. He ramrodded the construction of their denomination's church building during their time here. A masterful piece of work. And, he makes the most delightful angel food cake that one could ever wrap their lips around.

Dennis, in the photo is, as ever, holding forth at the grill. It is much more about the fire than the food.

Pari

Pari. I wrote about her on our mission blog as well. Pari is a midwife. She learned the art as she apprenticed alongside our midwives at Shiphrah during the three years her husband was doing theological studes at the seminary just down the road. They are from Myanmar, Mizo tribal folk. Pari is one of the special people of the world. I treasure knowing her, wondering how it is that God has privileged me with her friendship. When she left several years ago to return to Myanmar, I was quite certain that we would not meet again this side of glory. When she came back to speak at a conference, I couldn't believe it. What a joy to be with her again. Parting, we spoke of "next time in Myanmar". Maybe. I have had two emails from her since her return. The first one told of how she had actually managed to clear customs with all her bits and pieces of luggage some of which held precious medical supplies...including about 100 syringes and needles.