April 2008 -
I celebrated my 66th birthday the end of March. As I anticipate this chapter of my life, I am calling it my
Route 66 year. From time to time I'll probably share some of the scenery I am enjoying.
Like all road trips, there may be unexpected car trouble or detours. And always . . . I will be making new friends at stops along the way. Yes, I need a map, comes in 66 books, God's Word, a lamp to my feet.
My journey began in Billings, Montana. I am the second born daughter of Neal & Jean Jantz, home missionaries. Many times, as I grew up, I was resentful that I had been born into a ministry family. However, in my better moments, as a wiser adult, I know it was the best place and preparation for the "good things He planned for me to do." Eph. 2:10b
My newest friend in this journey is Gracia Burnham. An estimated 570 attended the Spring Tea to hear her share her amazing story being held captive for 13 months. Check our website for
photos.
July 2008 -
When I was five, my family moved to the Ozark Mountains of South Missouri. I attended a one-room school for all eight grades, the community had no electricity until I was eight, and we ran barefoot all summer.
Living on limited resources didn't stop my parents' desire for travel. During dark winter months, we planned the summer trip. When I was eleven, we actually made the journey on the original Route 66. We could only afford simple groceries and fixed our meals at picnic tables. Sleeping arrangements were cots in a tent. But we saw the Grand Canyon, the Pacific Ocean, and Yosemite National Park.
Every day, from 1st grade to 3rd grade, I held school in the afternoon for my younger siblings. This was such a serious commitment, a friend of the family made and gave me a chalkboard for Christmas one year.
My own personal spiritual journey began the summer I read the old classic What Would Jesus Do? I put my faith in Christ, and then read the Gospels almost non-stop.
I had my first taste of missionary experience when I was 14 & 15. For 6 weeks each summer, I accompanied a college woman to remote communities in the Ozarks. We lived an entire week with a family and taught Vacation Bible School. Over the weekend we did our laundry and had better bathing facilities, before moving to a new home for the next week. As I shared in April, God was using each piece of His puzzle to prepare me for the future.
October 2008 - The Fall season brings back lots of memories. When I was in 9th grade, I transitioned from the county school of 27 students to the town school with 600.
Crisp evening air reminds me of the H.S. football games. That's where I met another freshman, the guy wearing the red jacket. If you haven't guessed by now, his name was Phil Truesdale. Our sophomore year, he became the Bible Club president and I was secretary. We often met during our lunch break to discuss "club business." What a discovery . . . we both had an interest in overseas missionary work.
Our wedding was during Christmas break during our 3rd year of college. Our first married place of residence was here in Kansas City . Three years later we moved to the Boston area for Phil to attend seminary. During the early 70's the Christian Community Movement applied to us as well and for 2 1/2 years we were Mom & Dad to eight adults as well as our own two children. Set up to literally be an arm of our church, God began teaching us how to disciple new Christians. We left the Good Shepherd House with fond memories as our road lead us to overseas missionary work. With a new baby in tow, our adventures continued in a very remote part of western Venezuela at a school for missionary children.
To be continued . . .
