We welcomed my 14-year-old son home from Africa this month. Dillon went on mission with a group of adults from our church to South Africa and Zambia. “Dr. Dillon”, as his group called him, had the privilege of fitting hundreds of people with free eye glasses and even being assisted by a registered nurse (thank you, Leann). I heard from a number of friends on the trip that Dillon, on his second mission trip to Africa, threatened to lose his passport more than once.

As we welcomed him home at the airport decked out in our African clothes, he told us about getting to preach his first sermon at a Zambian church, and being invited back to preach the next Sunday by the pastor. “Sorry, I have to... get back to school,” he said.

Dillon may be home, but he left part of his heart in Africa. As he looks at the wooden African animals in his room, his South African flag, and his world map, he dreams of how the Lord might use him there in the future.

“I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4

“Thank you, Father, for working in a personal way in my children's lives and for using them as soldiers for your Kingdom. Please protect their hearts, minds, and bodies in Christ Jesus. Amen.”