Lydia has written the latest update to the Helsinki Plant blog. After an emotional morning of reflecting, considering, discussion & praying together it seemed right to put together another update, but this time focusing on the children. Church planting is such an adventure, but it is so important to remember the heroic effort our three children have made in facing the everyday challenge and sacrifice, as they join us on cross-cultural mission.
This morning as a family we talked about the parable of the Hidden Treasure [Matthew 13]. We talked about how Jesus is our treasure and how we are urged give up things or leave things behind for Jesus and also how we are God’s treasure, how Jesus came into the world and paid the price, even though it cost Him everything in order to get His treasure – us. Kev read us Mark 10:29-30:
‘Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no
one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children
or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold
now in this time, houses or brothers and sisters and mothers and children and
lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.”
The first tears came from Johan. He started to sob saying that he missed England, then Edith shared how she is missing friends and family, gradually we all expressed how we were feeling home sick and missing different aspects of ‘home’ and the comforts of familiarity, routine and longstanding friendships.
We have shot some video
of the children asking them how they find living in Finland:
So far on this
adventure, Edith, Johan and Barnabas have been our heroes. They have adapted to
this new land, culture, and people with real joy and zeal. Sometimes I think we
take it for granted what a big deal it is for them going to Finnish school and
daycare. Being immersed into an unknown language Is so exhausting, confusing and isolating yet the children daily thank Jesus that
they get to go to school/daycare that day.
We finished our chats this
morning with cuddles and prayers. We would love it if you would support us by praying into how we [especially the children] have been feeling:
- Missing our house in England – we are feeling quite cramped in the flat, particularly with all three children sharing one bedroom
- Missing friends – still longing for some more deep fun friendships and some friends for Barnsie that are his age
- Daddy missing his job and missing Mummy being at home
- Mummy missing getting to meet other Mummies on the school run
Follow on twitter: @Kevin_J_Jones
Email: finlandvision@gmail.com
Kevin & Lydia,
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I (and almost 2 year old) are moving to Helsinki in just a few weeks from the U.S.A and were looking for a church. I somehow happened upon your page and have loved reading through your blog posts and seeing all God is doing! We come from a church back home that is passionate about church-planting and was so blessed to read about your journey. Are you all meeting on a regular basis? I tried to look around to find more information, but struggled to find where exactly you all are located. I'd love to hear any information you have available.
Praying God continues to do the good work he's begun through your family.