Because of a missionary God

Dear Friends,

Though I grew up in a missionary family, most of my childhood was spent in Denver, Colorado, where our mission headquarters was located. This stable American life changed overnight when I was 17 years old and my family moved to West Germany. Though I was excited at the chance to be a “real missionary”, it seemed at times as if my world wouldn’t stop spinning – the foreign environment and uprooting caused by the move left me chronically disoriented and insecure.

When Christmas came I realized our family was facing another unanticipated loss. All of the Christmas decorations and family traditions accumulated over the years had been left behind in the States. Not only that, but the move had tapped out our resources and we had very little money. What should we do about Christmas?

Thankfully we found a place where we could cut down a Christmas tree for almost nothing. Returning home we scoured the house for potential decorations. Finding a box of toothpicks and some glue, we spread out newspapers on the table for protection, and proceeded to unleash our creative juices. After a long evening of work we had a very unique Christmas tree, decorated top to bottom with homemade toothpick ornaments.

On Christmas Eve it was magical. Under the tree were fewer presents than I had ever seen at a Patty Christmas. There were no lights on the house, no hearth on which to hang the stockings for Santa, and no visits from friends. Standing next to unpacked boxes from the move was a simple tree, covered with the most beautiful decorations you could imagine. Each had been made with love, with people we loved.

It was my favorite Christmas. When the Christmas story was read I suddenly realized that Jesus had left everything comfortable and familiar to enter my “foreign” world. He was the most radical missionary the world has ever known! And when the angel announced to Joseph that his name was “Immanuel, God with us” I realized that it is His presence that makes every place home, and the most simple activities meaningful and beautiful.

The spinning stopped, I was no longer disoriented.

Immanuel. Because of a missionary God, you know Him too.

Dave Patty
President, Josiah Venture