“Miles to go before I sleep”

MILES BEHIND

My mother and father used to read my sister and me nursery rhymes. As we grew older, they read us poetry. My dad even wrote a poem about me, as an inscription to the copy of “101 Famous Poems” he gave me as a gift.

101 Famous Poems
101 Famous Poems

One of the poems I most remember is Robert Frost’s “Stopping By The Woods on a Snowy Evening.” The following stanza especially stuck with me:

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

One of the promises Sharon and I desire to keep is the promise to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” Another is do whatever we can to“make disciples of all peoples.” This has led to… “and miles to go before I/we sleep, and miles to go before I/we sleep.”

Traveling by car, we  just completed a trip to see friends and family. We drove a total of 4,364 miles, made 13 stops, and saw 30 people who are dear to us. I wish we would have had more time, made more stops, stayed longer (our hosts might be glad we had to move on), and visited more friends.

MILES AHEAD

Next up is travel to Brazil to conduct another round of our On Expedition training. That means a 2,178 mile flight to Atlanta, a 4,658 mile flight to Sao Paulo, a 144 mile drive to Sao Carlos, several shorter drives to Jacarei and Valhinos, and a 1,620 mile flight to Recife…all of these times two as they are round trips.

I love the people we will be training and the team members who will join us. In addition to Sammy Diab, Doug Dorman, and Phil Graf, all part of our international On-Expedition training team, we will be joined by Josh Kienzle and Tom Shedd from the U.S., Jane Hawkins, who lives in Brazil, a couple from India (names protected because they are from a sensitive area), and eight Brazilians (several pictured here from a previous training). All of the Brazilians joining us are now On-Expedition trainers.

Training in Estrela
Training in Estrela

Speaking of our training, I am impressed by both the “learners” and “life-long learners” that attend.  Can you spot a couple of the latter? They are an inspiration to us.

Please pray for those who will take part in our upcoming training in the cities of Jacarei, Valhinos, Sao Carlos, and Recife, during our time in Brazil from August 15-September 3rd. Pray for our trainers, as well as the several guests traveling with us to check out the On-Expedition training designed to multiply viral, missional, church planting movements.

Thanks for being part of our “keeping promises” and “miles to before I/we sleep.”

Because of His great grace and your partnership,

Linus and Sharon, for the Global Training Network, On-Expedition team


One thought on ““Miles to go before I sleep”

  1. Linus,

    This is a great post! I love the concept of miles to go before I sleep. My miles tend to be wear and tear on mind and body, since I don’t fly or drive much. But you have encouraged me to ‘press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus has taken hold of me’

    Maybe I will attempt to write a poem called “Beyond the miles and the other side of sleep”. I thank The Lord for you, and I am glad to call you brother and a dear friend.

    Many blessings,
    Drew

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