September 24, 2008

September “rap up”

Hey, hey what can we say about good old PC(USA)?

Just a year ago they were moving so slow;
they seemed to us less friend than foe.
We heard God’s call but felt so small
the way to move forward wasn’t clear at all.

G.A. had no money, which wasn’t very funny,
but church after church pitched in plenty.
So as late as last spring we were still asking
“Why even bother with this denominational thing?”

Now we know and from head to toe
we are happy to be eating our share of crow!
One fine day in San Jose
our commissioning service blew us away.

Then most of July (we cannot deny)
orientation helped answer our “who, where, and why?”
Once on the field all resistance did yield
and our gratitude for World Mission was firmly sealed.

When we needed a nest, a place to rest,
fellow mission co-workers provided the best.
Jim & Jodi McGill* gave their home on the hill
(if it weren’t for allergies we’d be up there still).

Then Debbie Chase** offered us space,
her home is a safe and allergic free place.
Still, Darlene’s chest could find no rest
so a medical referral became our request.

We were soon on our way to experts in S.A.
thanks to CIGNA’S*** resounding OK!
A welcoming hug from mission co-worker Doug****
made Jo-burg a place we quickly felt snug.

After day three he left the country
so we moved into his place and stayed there for free!
From A to Z; including EKG,
2 CAT scans, & a scope; what the doctors did see
is a lung spot, some gut rot;
and a question whether there’s cancer or not.

Lots of people were praying while in Jo-burg we’re staying
it helps, you know what I’m saying?
What is the answer?  Since we can’t chance-er,
We return in three months to be sure it’s not cancer.

Now, back to the babies, God’s beautiful babies,
to love them to life, no ifs, ands or maybes!
So please keep on praying that there we’ll be staying,
with no more health crisis delaying.

And join our hurray for PC(USA)
and may God bless us all along our journey’s way!

Paul and Darlene Heller

* Jim and Jodi McGill are PC(USA) mission co-workers on interpretation leave in the United States.

** Debbie Chase is a PC(USA) mission co-worker living in Mzuzu.

*** CIGNA is PC(USA)’s international healthcare insurance company. They have provided us with generous, competent, and caring coverage.

**** Doug Tilton is the PC(USA) regional liaison for Southern Africa, living in Johannesburg and currently traveling in the States.