Reaching Back, Catching Up

Some things I write about never make it to the blog. They seem interesting or funny or insightful at the time but for one reason or another they get shoved to the side. Usually it’s because something more timely comes along. So I thought I would reach back and catch up just a little bit.

I’m not exactly sure what Diana and I were talking about, but I do remember Daniel’s comment, “You are still talking about that when I have an important question to ask.” To which I replied, “What important question do you want to ask, who was the 1977 starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons?” “Who was the quarterback, Dad?” “I don’t know. It seems as though he had a Polish name. It seems like his name was Steve. Steve…Steve…Steve - Steve Bartkowski! I’m going to look it up on the internet.” Can you believe it? - It was Steve Bartkowski. Now why is it I can remember the 1977 starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons but can’t remember the Spanish present subjunctive of venir?

We were waiting for the buzzer for two important reasons – our passports/visas were coming special delivery and the garbage truck was due. So, when someone buzzed I almost killed myself getting to the gate. Who should I find but the local Jehovah Witnesses? It took about two seconds for him to launch into the presentation. I moved in quickly to cut him off, “I’m a Christian.” He persisted. “I’m a missionary from the United States.” He persisted. “I’m going to pray. Father…..Jesus Christ is God……Amen.” He persisted. “I have some material for you. Wait here just a moment – just a moment.” As quickly as possible I returned with the New Testament and More Than a Carpenter, but he had already disappeared. I followed in hot pursuit books in hand, finally overtaking a different group and asking them to deliver the material. A few minutes later we passed him on our way into town. His words were enthusiastic, “Thank you!”

In light of the fact that we are up to 54 dead scorpions in and around the house (the final count was 140), a friend and fellow missionary suggested Ezekiel 2:6 as an appropriate verse for us. “And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house.”