Go Beyond

   Kolkata, India

   People often ask me questions about my travels, questions like: Do you ever get tired of traveling? What’s your favorite place? What’s the most interesting (disgusting) thing you’ve ever eaten? How many frequent flyer miles do you have? Which is your favorite airline? What’s the scariest experience you’ve ever had? And, people always ask me if I ever get homesick. The answer to the last question is yes. There is nothing quite as good as the comfort of home and the company of family. I love visiting the various ministry destinations where I am privileged to lead others to serve. But, coming home is always sweet.

   On a few occasions I have enjoyed the blessing of having a family member travel with me. I have especially enjoyed having my son Jonathan by my side on this trip. It’s been almost six years since we last traveled together to China and Mongolia. A lot has happened since then. I have watched God work in Jonathan’s life and also preserve his life through some dark days. Like Mr. Miyagi, the quiet handyman/martial arts character in The Karate Kid, God has been teaching Jonathan a lot about service through years of “wax on, wax off” experiences. Through it all God has given him a tender heart and willing hands.

Jonathan at Prem Dan

   It’s not easy for me to describe what I have felt in my heart this week as Jonathan and I have served together. I have watched him connect with and care for men with broken bodies and vacant expressions. He has provoked smiles, brought laughter, and consoled men weeping quietly in pain. He has skillfully shaved wrinkled faces and helped men who can’t use the toilet unassisted. He carried a frail old man into Kalighat where others will care for him until he dies. But perhaps the most inspiring thing to me was watching him rub cream on the leathery legs and feet of bed-bound men. You have to have a strong stomach to touch the feet of these men – feet calloused, gnarled, and permanently stained by the filth of Kolkata’s streets.

   Touching and washing the feet of others is what a trip to Mother Teresa’s homes is ultimately about. Those who come here to serve must lay aside any squeamishness that might prevent them from touching the feet of the least of these. If you can touch their feet, the rest is relatively easy. I am encouraged by Jonathan’s service and proud to be his Dad. My prayer for my kids is that they will unreservedly love God and unconditionally love people. I am grateful to God for His faithfulness in working in the lives of my children. And I am especially grateful to have spent this week serving the least of these with my son. I will treasure these days for a lifetime.