Friends leaving for Hawaii

We said goodbye to our friends Glenn and Jodi this weekend. Hopefully, not forever...but for now.

Glenn is in the U.S. Army, and he has been re-assigned to a post in Hawaii. (Not the same one as our other Hawaii friends.) Glenn and Jodi have been members of our Sunday School class. She was here while Glenn was stationed in Iraq, and I remember when we began counting down the days until his return, and praying for his safety. Glenn was pretty quiet when he returned, but over time he has opened up and he and I have become friends. (You can tell we are friends, because our wives won't let us sit beside each other at church. This is not the first time for this.)

Our Sunday school class yesterday was pretty similar to other weeks, except people brought food. We had our lesson, and it was great. Then, at the end, Scott reminded us that this was Glenn and Jodi's last week with us. Jodi was pretty quiet, and Glenn thanked us for all that the class and its members meant to them. (I need to be accurate, as Jodi will read this.) Then Scott asked if I would pray for them. I did, and of course, I cried. That's how it works. If I care about you, eventually I will either cry for you or with you. My prayer was difficult...and if I could do it again, I might say something like this:

"God, thank you for the Meders. Thank you for bringing them to Manhattan so that we could share their lives, and they could share ours. Thanks for their witness, and their heart(s) for others. For their ministry to other soldiers, and to us...and to me.

We know that you have already begun to prepare the way for their ministry in Hawaii. There is a job to be done there for which they are perfect. Make the transition smooth...prepare their children for the changes that will take place. Prepare the schools where they will learn, and the church where they will worship. Prepare Glenn for his new job, and help him minister to others through his work. Let Jodi be the perfect help-mate to Glenn, and prepare her to minister to others as well.

Keep them safe...protect them. Protect all who serve and protect our country.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Take care, Glenn and Jodi. We love you.

DT