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It is indeed a rare thing to receive the blessing of such kindred spirits found in our friends Matt and Sukey. Years ago we pleaded with the Lord to give us friends that we could share our life with and in His timing He gave us the Lynskeys.
Through our mutual commitment and love for the gospel, God has grown us together to seek out ways we can be part of His Mission for the nations. And although Emily and I have begged and pleaded that the Lord would send Matt and Sukey to be co-laborers with CMA in the Caribbean, He has saw fit to call them to Africa, to a people who do not know the Lord.
This summer marks the end of a physical closeness with our friends as they will be leaving for Tanzania in July to give their lives for a people they’ve never met. This sacrifice is only a fraction below the grieving of a loss of a loved one, and our hearts are heavy to say “Goodbye.”
Thus, I’m writing this article after a short trip to the US and my final visit with our friends. With the anticipated departure of those who we’ve served with, cried with, rejoiced with, and loved – I had to make one last trip to send them off properly.
The events of my visit pale in comparison to the gravity of the Mission of God and the heaviness of our hearts as we say “goodbye,” however I did have a full trip. We toured Philadelphia and had Cheese Steaks, we drove through Manhattan and Matt preached in Brooklyn, we attended an ordination and a Jazz concert, and we talked and laughed and prayed together (the trip was also “spiced-up” with the loss of my luggage, which I received back the night before I was leaving again for home – thank-goodness for Walmart).
Emily and I want to urge you, the reader of this article, to say a prayer for our dear dear friends Matt and Sukey, as they are leaving this summer for a foreign land and a tribal lifestyle. Pray that the Lord would give them a church in the village of Ruaruke, and that He would be the comfort, love and encouragement which we no longer have the blessing and access to give.
Even though it is grieving to watch them go, we declare with fervor for our friends “GO!” Our hope for reunion is centered in the New Heaven and New Earth and we cheer for our friends who are privileged to bring Good News – may many repent and find forgiveness and life through their sacrifice for THE Sacrifice.
Even as I write this I sigh with heaviness and yet smile with determination for the Gospel; and with the absence of fellowship with our friends I am urged to pray “Come Lord Jesus, COME.”
NOTE: Saddly Emily couldn’t come from the cost of plane tickets, and a wholehearted “Thank you” is due to Sukey’s Family, the Reeds – they opened their home to me and made me feel like one of the family (pray for them as their children are sent to serve).