One of my very, very unofficial roles here in this relatively unknown city in Asia is to simply pray for, serve, and come alongside a few of the American families which are trusting God to raise a family here. My investment and role in this process is minuscule and insignificant. Their investment is everything. . . the health and well-being of their families.
One of the families is the LIttlepages. Scott and Cat moved here with their son, Noah, the summer of 2011. They have since added Addie to the mix.
They are pioneers in many ways. I am inspired by them personally and grateful for them beyond words. They are dear friends and have taught me much about Christ just by doing life with them the past two years.
Noah began school yesterday. It is a local school and he is the first foreign kid to ever attend there. Please read his story here (CLICK HERE).
As I read Cat’s post (and have observed her and Scott’s lives), three truths about obedience to God come to mind.
- Obedience to God is a minute by minute thing – Scott and Cat have taught me this repetitively these past two years. Seeing them raise a family in a place far from their home, in a city where they are fighting with a language that is near impossible for foreigners like us to master, and all the challenges which being an “alien” in Asia naturally brings, I see them simply trust God day in day out, even by the minute, and I am amazed. Obedience to God really is supposed to be as they demonstrate; minute by minute. Cat chronicles what this looked like for her and Noah yesterday well in her blog post.
- Obedience to God is worth sacrifice – Cat and Scott prove this to me through their lives. Cat had committed to moving here long-term before ever setting foot in this country. Scott knew the Lord was calling them here and she trusted the Lord through him. They have done this by literally “leaving all” and jumping into life here. If Christ were not real and “not worth it”, they certainly would be back in America, near family, friends, and all else they hold near and dear. Noah would be in a much “safer” environment and Cat would be in a much more “normal” setting. None of this makes sense aside from Christ, His presence, and the reality that radical obedience is more than WORTH IT. Yes, it is a great sacrifice, but we believe that it pales in comparison to that of the greatness of God and the joy of knowing Him and His obedience.
- Communities are changed by micro level acts of obedience – As Cat says in this post, we are praying that little Noah, even in his matchbox car playing, ball throwing, and (sometimes) little girl kicking self, will truly be “salt and light” to this little school in what is seemingly the “end of the earth”. I am certain that this will be the case, I really am. I believe the Kingdom of God is such as this. Mustard seeds of obedience through people like Scott, Cat, and Noah will eventually morph into a great tree which provides fruit and cover for a multitude. I believe this, and am praying as such for the Littlepages and Noah.
Please pray for little Noah as he continues to acclimate to local school. Its a pretty rough transition which is far from over. Please pray for the Littlepages, Gregorys, and Stuarts as they all are living here and trusting the Lord with raising kids here.
May their mustard seeds of obedience eventually become great works of God’s glory.
Thanks for sharing this. Love The Littlepages blog as well, what sweet words to boost up my heart this morning from Cat.
Yeah, they are great. Enjoyed dinner with them tonight. Have a great day!
Thanks for ministering to Babs (aka Noah’s grandmother on her knees in Alabama) this morning. So thankful for you coming alongside my precious kids. HE knows just what they need…so blessed!
My pleasure. You are a great mother and grandmother. . . we are all thankful for you!
Oh John, we appreciate you so much. You really should be called Uncle John–that is, if you were not already one of Noah’s best friends. Your picture of Noah on instagram with that ice cream really calmed my heart. Thank you for your obedience to His call to love and care for them; you do it so well!
Brenda, a.k.a. Gigi
It really is my please. I love your family and am so appreciative of you guys being so supportive of them. Your support really does mean the world to ALL of us!
Also, Noah’s friendship has been secured by a rough playing and tons of junk food!
John, I have never posted on here, but this one hit very close to my heart. As you well know, our Elijah stated 3 year old preschool this week. Please convey to the Littlepages that I am committing to pray for Noah
Oops, “as you May well know” This is assuming Andrew talks!
Hey Mrs. Ols. . . of course I know about Elijah!
Thanks for your comments and prayers. I’ll let Cat and Scott know.
Your son is great roommate!
favorite post :). What a great tribute to them and a testament to their faith. Thankful for the way that sweet family points me to Christ and to an eternal perspective.
Thanks AM. . . hope you guys are well. I love keeping up with you guys through your blog and instagram. I can’t believe how old Maddox looks!
I love that you spend time with expat kids there! When I lived in Indonesia, that was my favorite role. We had 12 kids on our team at one point, and they all called me “Fun Aunt Lisa.” Loved your post. We can learn a lot from children and great families who raise them well.
Thanks Lisa. . . great hearing from you!
Hey John,
Thanks for your post. I teared up at Noah’s story/blog….in small ways, though different, we have all had experiences like that-not knowing where we are headed, but walking. So, thanks for sharing. Thanks, too, for the beautiful imagery of the mustard seed and its morphing to provide coverage…will try and remember that.
Stephanie
Thanks Stephanie for letting me know and that you enjoyed it. Hope you have a great week!
I just now saw this! Great post! Great people. So thankful to be with all of yall!
Thanks Jane Anne. . . love having you here with us!