Before we get too far into 2010, it is time to continue our annual tradition of offering an update on our family and ministry over the past year (see 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008).
The update is late this year because I (Eric) have been working like crazy to meet a December 31 deadline for my “Analysis of Old Testament Books” project. This project, part of my Ph.D. program at DTS, was a big part of my life throughout 2009. It involved studying each of the 39 books of the OT and writing an analysis of the argument of the book, as well as an introduction to the book (for example, here’s 1-2 Samuel). It was a great blessing to spend literally thousands of hours immersed in the Old Testament. It was consistently edifying personally; and this 800 page work will serve as a great foundation for future study and teaching. A lot of people helped me and encouraged me with the project, but I wouldn’t have been able to do it without Heather every day helping me think, keeping me organized, talking through sections with me, and keeping everything else going to give me opportunities to write.
The OT project was big, but completing it was only the second-most exciting event of the year. The highlight of the year, by far, was the birth on October 21 of our daughter Makaria Hope Zeller. We named her “Makaria” (pronounced mah-car-ria), a Greek name meaning “blessed,” to remind us of the blessing and joy of being recipients of God’s grace. Among all of our four children, hers was the most difficult pregnancy (Heather was sick for much of it), but the quickest and easiest delivery. We’ve now had her with us for almost three months and are enjoying her intense personality, her crazy hair, her diligent attempts at communication, and her ever-increasing smiles. Her older siblings all take very seriously their responsibilities as “big kids” and try to take care of their baby sister and entertain her.
Caroline (7) and Emmett (5) are both in school now! Emmett was very excited to finally get to go to kindergarten, and he seems to really enjoy all kindergarten has to offer. He has dreams of being a scientist and already has a list of the things he is going to invent. However, his caring big sister has made him promise that he will not work with chemicals, as she fears he might blow himself up! Caroline has a long school day (7:45-2:45) in 1st grade. She is a great student (not to mention daughter and big sister) and having a desk of her own and “real” school books is something she is quite happy about. She would like to be an artist with an art museum, a teacher, and a mommy when she grows up. When Caroline and Emmett aren’t at school, they can usually be found living in an imaginary world that combines various aspects of Narnia, Hogwarts, and Star Wars.
Randall II (2) is always trying to keep up with the others. He announced upon Makaria’s arrival that he was a big boy and has reminded us of it every day since! He is a charmer with an amazing smile and conversational skills which he uses on a daily basis to try to accomplish his agenda - he is especially good at getting free things from waitresses. Being Makaria’s big brother is something he takes very seriously. He introduces her to anyone who walks by, “Hey! This is my baby sister. Her name is Makaria. Is that a funny name?” and announces almost daily, “Makaria is the best baby sister! She likes me.” Parenting these four small people is always a challenge but for Heather and I is also great fun and is a new adventure every day.
2009 was our sixth year serving at Grace Bible Church (time flies!). It was another year where we saw God’s faithfulness at work in many different areas of the church. Some highlights for me were working with the other elders to develop GBC’s emphasis on local mission (see our strategy) and organizing a Men’s retreat focused on challenging the men of the church to be leaders in the mission. Heather had many opportunities to build relationships with other ladies in our small group, to meet with other elders wives for mutual encouragement and accountability, and to serve in childrens ministries. As we enter 2010, my responsibilities at the church are shifting in preparation for our transition overseas two years from now. We’re about to bring on a couple of new pastoral staff members, to assume most of my day-to-day ministry responsibilities; I’ll now be Pastor of International Mission and will focus on developing GBC’s overseas ministry in general and our own ministry team specifically.
An important part of that responsibility will be continuing to lead the formation of Amiela (Heb. “People of God”), a new missions organization founded at the initiation of GBC to send our team to India (and potentially other teams down the road). In 2010 we hope to continue our progress on this ministry by adding board members, building an army of volunteers, raising financial support, and developing all of the systems needed to begin our work in India. Our team members Scott and Angela hope to transition to full-time overseas ministry in one year; Heather and I hope to be not far behind them after I complete the Ph.D. program. Spending three weeks over the summer in India studying theological schools (see video 1, 2) reinforced once again the great need for the kind of work we hope to do. We’re not building Amiela - or the ministry team for India - as ends in themselves, but as tools to be used to support the gospel going forth in the world through a strong and faithful church, in places where it is desperately needed.
Happy New Year!!! (I’m on East Coast time, so if you are in TX I’m in a different year than you)