10 September 2026 – Missions Update
My father used to speak of those trying to carry “a lazy man’s load.” I never heard anyone else use the term as he did, but it may have been a common expression in earlier generations. He did not mean someone carrying a light load. Dad called it a lazy man’s load when I attempted to carry more than was reasonable, hoping to move in one trip what should have been divided into two or more trips. Overloading does not work, but I have been guilty of it more than once.
I know that many of you have been praying for our safety in view of the long drive we were planning to make to Zambia. God has answered your prayers. It is 11:00 AM on Thursday as I type this. If things had gone as planned, we would be nearing Groblersdal, South Africa. But God had other plans. My father in heaven has evidently decided that I have carried a lazy man’s load long enough.
I spent last night laying on my back watching the ceiling spinning around me. When the alarm signalled that it was time to begin our journey, I could not walk without my cane or some other form of assistance. I was in no condition to drive 1500 kilometres (930 miles). Evidently the Lord is tired of a missionary who acts like everything depends on his exertion. We have not had a vacation in years. The last couple of weeks we did not even get a day off. It seems he intends to force some off days on us.
I had these spells of extreme weakness and dizziness earlier in the year. We cut back on what we attempted and even went a month or so of working six day weeks. But lately we have been back up to seven day weeks, and this is the price we are paying.
Our clothes, a lot of books, and a whole bunch of other things were loaded into the trailer yesterday, in preparation for the trip. Now we will need help to unload them.
So, you can pause your prayers for a safe trip. There is not going to be a trip. You can still pray though. Perhaps you should pray that I finally learn not to attempt a lazy man’s load.
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