Friday, was the last day of class for level three. My teacher gave our class the freedom to talk about anything and ask questions of one another. The class of 5 spoke of many things from their hometown to their favorite books, and at the end of class, we exchanged emails and sang ‘friends are friends forever.’ Ok, well there was no singing, but we did exchange emails. My teacher gave his email to us and I kind of chuckled because, it wasn’t his name, rather it was ‘acrobat.’ I never really knew that my conversation teacher wanted to be in the circus, but he was confused at my amusement. He said, do you know what ‘acrobat’ is? I laughed, and said “of course! It is the guy that swings from…” He stopped me, and said “No, it is an amazing U2 song.” Once again, I felt pretty dumb, for not being up to par on one of the greatest bands of all time. Later that day, my teammate had that album on his computer, so I listened to the song ‘Acrobat.’ I got online and found the lyrics. I was blown away. It was a really great song, but particularly these lyrics hit me the hardest:

No, nothing makes sense
Nothing seems to fit
I know you’d hit out
If you only knew who to hit
And I’d join the movement
If there was one I could believe in
Yeah I’d break bread and wine
If there was a church I could receive in
’cause I need it now

To take a cup
To fill it up
To drink it slow
I can’t let you go
I must be an acrobat

U2 is a very popular band here in Italy, and I wonder if it is because they are able to capture in words the longings of their hearts. Lately, I have found myself fatigued at school and for no reason. I get enough sleep, and whatever. But it is moments like these that remind me of why I am here and motivate me to keep plugging away at this language thing, so that I might be able to help the ‘acrobats’ meet Christ as He truly is, and drink from the living water, slowly, but abundantly.

Saburo is an older Japanese man who is in my class, he just over 50. He has taught me many things through the way he encounters this language learning process. Where I find myself getting frustrated, I look across the table and see his smile and hear his chuckle. He has such a child-like approach to this process and it humbles me to meet a Buddhist indirectly living out Jesus’ teachings on humility and being child-like approach to life. I don’t know his entire story, but before we left class, he came up and gave me a big hug. This surprised me at first, because Japanese people aren’t very touchy-feely, but I knew that I had made some connection with Saburo, that he would miss me in the days to come. So, it is amazing to see where God takes you in your faith, and who he might use to teach you things. Keep your eyes open this week, because He may want to show you something special.

Thanks for praying, please keep praying for:

  • for the missionary kids: Jacob, Haven, Lance, Chloe & Trey as they start school (for patience, ease with the language, patient teachers, friends)
  • for our Ancona-based team as we continue building relationships and share Christ (for boldness, open doors, motivation with the language)
  • for our Perugia-based team as they learn the language (patience, boldness & motivation to seek opportunities to practice and find people to speak with)
  • for Marcus as he continues the frenetic furlough pace (rest, refreshment, new support)
  • for our team’s finances (every family and individual on our team is in need of more financial support)
  • that God would reclaim Ancona as his own and build his Church – for broken hearts and open eyes

Please remember me and my continual need for your monthly and one-time support. I depend on it to live and minister here and am so grateful for the sacrifices you make in your lives so that I can keep going. I trust that God is blessing your generosity many times over!