2025

We tend to classify our problems as big or small, but to an infinite God who hold the whole world in his hands it is all just stuff. What seems to us like big stuff is not big stuff to him. And when it come to the small stuff he can still be trusted. In this story we see how during the evacuation, God cared for the small things like a child’s stuffed animal and replacing a bike left behind.

With the country of Zaire becoming unstable from rebellion. Time on the mission field was short and how much time was left was a mystery. Rethy turned into a staging ground for evacuation as Kabila and his forces approached on the road. 

In this story, the whirlwind of evacuation rages on, and soldiers take Grandpa Paul’s pickup truck. Despite the chaos, God reveled himself in a moment, reminding Grandpa Paul he was still completely in control. As the dust of the airfield rose into the sunlight, Grandpa Paul was reminded that God himself has been guiding the evacuation like an air traffic controller. 

Getting even does not bring about peace. Trusting God and his judgement does.

A beautiful house can captivate us. So much so, we often forget that it was constructed by a builder. The same is true for gifts and givers. In the face of what we see, we can lose sight of the truth that our life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. And that even our life itself is a gift to be received from a Giver. 

God is the good shepherd. If even one of his sheep wanders off he will leave the 99 to find them.

In this story, Grandpa Paul recalls searching with Silvano and Ted Crossman, and failing to find a dorm boy who went missing at night. They ultimately give up and surrender the search to God.

Jesus says quite simply, “You cannot serve God can money.” His conclusion is, “Therefore do not be anxious about your life.” When you serve money (or stored up wealth) your life becomes full of concerns.

In this story, Grandpa Paul recalls three different men–Marco, Silvano, and Mbikpa–and their different approaches to money.

In this story we get a picture of what it might be like for God as he stands near to us waiting to be asked.

For a school activity, Grandpa Paul makes a treasure hunt through an orienteering course for his dorm kids. As they struggle to get going, he stands by waiting and wanting to be asked to help.

God’s creation is meant to be stewarded and enjoyed. While at Rethy, Grandpa Paul found himself with access to a forest. A forest not originally in that part of Africa but planted by the Belgians when they first colonized the area. Here is a story about its creative use.

What we want done in the world is something precious to each human. And to God. He doesn’t press what he wants done on us. Instead, he models how we should interact with each other through invitation and asking. This way the world grows and is filled with order. We know where our responsibility ends and another’s begins.

In this story, Grandpa Paul recalls a mix up and overstep when one of his fellow missionaries asked him and his dorm boys for help.