At peace with danger

I am so behind on blogging I don't know if I will ever catch up, though I hope to. When I get back to a routine I am sure it will happen more frequently. We are on the countdown now to returning home...only 4 full days left. There has been lots of craziness on multiple levels over the past 2 weeks- which I could never cover in one blog post. In the midst of packing, last Walmart runs, appointments and saying goodbyes has been both a heaviness and encouragement in a weird way by the sudden death of family friend Tom Little. If you have looked at the news at all lately you probably heard about the 10 workers shot to death in Afghanistan. Tom was the leader of the group, 30 year veteran of work in Afghanistan and my parents' good friend. He and his wife Libby often stayed at my parents house when they were in town for fund raising.

Just about 6 weeks ago, Tom was visiting Richmond while we were also staying at my parents. We had a rare opportunity to talk with him, exchange some overseas stories and hear about his fascinating life in Afghanistan. His life there certainly paled any drama or excitement I think I experience living in China. He had stories of living under Russian invasion, civil war and the Taliban. Yet, he also seemed very "normal" while we sat together checking our email or setting up local appointments to speak and teaching Austin a few words of his second language, Darsi.

He sent us a note after talking with us and Chris still has it in his bag. It was very surreal and sad to see his picture plastered all over the news and read the sad story of his death, along with many others. While it was horrible on many levels, Chris and I both also felt a strange sense of peace about him and even his death, knowing he gave his life for a people and ultimately a God he loved very much. A quote by his brother in the paper read "He was not fearless but was at peace with danger". I love that quote and it inspires me as we prepare to go back. There could be things to fear and Tom was not superhuman and unafraid, but was at peace with his calling and the many dangers that came with it. I am nowhere near the level of danger that he was, but it is inspiring to think of his life and how he chose to live it. I am sad for his wife and three daughters but also look forward to hearing how his sacrifice could bring about good things for his adopted country, Afghanistan. And Chris and I decided we will frame his note to us as a reminder of the life he lived and the peace with danger that I often lack.