"My Dad's Thoughts on My Move to France"

"Anya / Parenting / The Call of God"
Tom Claibourne | Tuesday, November 10, 2015

"Anya recently told me that one of the questions she has been asked the most since their announcement is "What do your parents think about this?" Okay, fair enough question. Linnea has already addressed that question very capably in a Facebook post in which she talked about how she has been releasing our 3 kids back to God since they were born, and how often she has prayed that God do amazing things in their lives and always adds "And keep me out of the way." I have done and prayed all that as well, but not nearly as consistently as Linnea has.

"Anya recently told me that one of the questions she has been asked the most since their announcement is "What do your parents think about this?" Okay, fair enough question. Linnea has already addressed that question very capably in a Facebook post in which she talked about how she has been releasing our 3 kids back to God since they were born, and how often she has prayed that God do amazing things in their lives and always adds "And keep me out of the way." I have done and prayed all that as well, but not nearly as consistently as Linnea has.

We obviously will experience the same emotions any of you would at various stages in the years ahead, but we have known about this move since July (and weren't allowed to tell), God's leading in all this has been so very clear, and we know all children are God's and not really ever "ours" as parents. We are given the awesome privilege and responsibility of guiding them for several years to live meaningful lives for God.

Linnea and I have often repeated the words of a missionary friend, Charlie Delaney, whose kids and grandkids have served all over the world, who said he would rather have his children on the other side of the world, living within the will of God than to be living down the street outside the will of God. That is how Linnea and I have always felt about all 3 of our children and any future grandchildren who might enter the picture.

So . . . we are absolutely proud of the way Anya and Will have responded to the Lord's calling, and are totally excited about the adventure they are beginning. In 1977 & 1978 I worked in Eastern Europe with a mission. Then in my 1978-1979 college year I traveled as a representative for the same mission here in the USA. My intention after graduation in 1979 was to work part-time for a church, complete my MA degree in theology, and then in 1981 (at age 24) move back to Austria to work most of my adult life in the then-communist world. (Note: I had full support from my mother who at that time was a widow living alone).

Well, God redirected me to Bethlehem, and here I still am 36 years later. Anya and I talked recently about how she trained for children's ministry here in the USA, but now God has redirected her. . . to Europe!! She and I believe that God is finishing my story in Europe through her and Will!   Isn't God amazing!!

Our theme song at the mission all those years ago was based on Isaiah 6:8:

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!' "

One of the lines in the song said, "Across the street or across the sea, here am I, O Lord, send me."

God loves it, and I love it, when anyone says "Yes" to God. I urge you to do that - in your own life, and with your children and grandchildren. We have a mission to fulfill, across the street and across the sea. Somebody's children need to go both places.

Love God. Love people. Follow where God leads."

Still amazed at the plan of God,
Tom