John Denver’s classic was originally titled, “Babe I Hate to Go,” but the album’s producers convinced him to change the name. Regardless, the lyrics of this song come to mind whenever I leave the place I love, for I really do hate to go. And as I type, I am preparing for such a journey. As you read this, I am either in the air or in Atlanta (hopefully!). Though John Denver sang uncertainly, “I don’t know when I’ll be back again,” thankfully, I do. God willing, Jill and I will return home on 25 July.

For the next five weeks, we will be spending some quality time with my mom, with our daughter Danielle and son-in-law Shane, with Jill’s parents, and then five days on a family reunion with my siblings and their spouses. My mom, of course, will be with us and perhaps this time she will enjoy some chocolate pudding (see my sermon on 15 June).

Years ago, Jill and I decided that one way we could honour our parents is to visit them at least once a year for the rest of their lives. It is a small way to recompense their sacrificial love for us over all these years. We often think of the dozens of holidays they have missed with us and their grandchildren, and yet they have always been supportive. Driven by the love of Christ and their love for Christ, they are grateful to have made such an investment into the kingdom of God. It is our joy to bring some joy to them on these visits. Of course, we do it at the personal sacrifice of missing several weeks of a South African winter but, hey, we do it anyway! I will be thinking about you as I endure the long summer days in the northern hemisphere.

But seriously, though we are blessed to spend time with family across the pond, there is a real sense in which I hate to go because South Africa is our home. It is where almost all of our children, their spouses, and our grandchildren live. But, of course, it is also where our church family resides. Brackenhurst Baptist Church is our spiritual home. For thirty-two years, we have been blessed to be a part of a growing family-in-Christ with some relationships going back decades and newer relationships developed in more recent years. Spiritually, we have both children and grandchildren in the church. No wonder we hate to go!

When we first moved to South Africa, Jill’s heart was sore with homesickness for life in her hometown of Milford, Ohio. She will tell you that, in the early years, she assumed that, one day, our family would move back “home.” She has told many a very honest, transparent story of those early days. (I share with her permission.)

Shortly after our arrival to South Africa in May 1990, Jill was vacuuming while singing, “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.” She paused and said, “Lord, to be honest, I don’t care right now that you love the children of the world—I just want to go home!” But, of course, that was not the end of the story for, some years later, she came to a point when she realised that, if she had to leave here, it would rip her heart out. South Africa had become her home. The brothers and sisters of Brackenhurst Baptist church have played a major role in that familial shift. I feel the same way.

Like all households, sometimes life in our church is less than idyllic. There are conflicts, hurtful words, disturbing attitudes, misunderstandings, and strained relationships, along with the occasional disruptive, and even divisive behaviours. And yet we remain family. And so yes, I hate to go.

While I am away, the church will be well-fed by my fellow elders along with a couple of faithful brothers from sister churches. In recent years, it has become patently clear that our church is not dependent upon one individual. (I am always humbled when I reflect on how our church grew three years ago while I was physically incapacitated for over five months.) I am grateful for my fellow shepherds who care for God’s flock of the Brackenhurst Baptist Church.

Besides the benefit of summer weather (sorry, I’ll try not to rub that in) I am looking forward to reading several books as well as commencing preparatory studies in the book of Amos. I plan to preach through that prophetic book soon after finishing 2 Corinthians. Let me take this opportunity to encourage you to familiarise yourself with that nine-chapter book. And please pray for the Lord to open my understanding of Amos so that we will all benefit from its exposition.

Upon my return I will have, God willing, eight years left as pastor-teacher. I have begun to pray that they will be my most faithful and fruitful years. I desire this for your good and for God’s glory. May he be pleased to hear and answer this prayer.

Well, I am probably about to land shortly and so, with my seatback tray folded, my seat in the upright position, my arm rests down, and seat belt fastened, I bid you adieu, assuring you that you will be on my heart and in my prayers while I bask—er, I mean suffer—in the warm weather. See you soon.

With love,

Doug