ORDINARY TIME

The liturgical church calendar highlights the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Epiphany, and Pentecost. The times of year when these celebratory events are not in motion is called ordinary time. Ordinary time is a time to grow in faith, learn from Jesus’ teachings, and apply them to daily life.

Ordinary time accurately reflects how the first part of 2025 unfolded for our ministry of spiritual care. We focused on connecting with our colleagues through the ordinary events of their cross-cultural lives and ministries. In the day-to-day events of encountering different customs, different educational and health care systems, different ways of expressing faith, different ways of perceiving linear time, different seasons, etc. our colleagues explored questions of identity, vocation, and mission with us as we listened to them through the lens of the Holy Spirit to provide care and encouragement.

David also facilitated a small group called “The Four Questions.” It was woven around four Biblical questions: Where are you?, What do you want?, Can you drink this cup?, and Do you love me? Transformative questions that invited us into deeper dialogue and introspection with one another and with God.

LENT

Lent is the 40-day journey before Easter where Christians are invited to pray, fast, and to reflect on their relationship with God. It is a time to reexamine our priorities. Are our bodies, minds, and hearts in alignment with God’s vision and mission? Loss, grief, and lament become spiritual companions. It is an invitation to release and to recommit, to surrender and to humility, as we intentionally step with Christ towards the cross.

J.D. Reed, Sarah Matos, Joyce & David Reed

Our lent was marked by two significant, deep losses. First, our colleague and friend J.D. Reed died of ALS on February 16, 2025. We were by his bedside as he took his last breath and entered into the presence of Jesus. It was sacred, holy ground. Our friendship with J.D. cemented during the time we all taught in the Masters of Theological Studies program with students from Latin America. J.D. and David were roommates during the in-person residencies when faculty would fly in to meet the students face-to-face. When J.D. and Rhonda transitioned back to WV due to health issues, we continued to walk beside them as they navigated reverse culture shock. And then, after J.D.’s diagnosis, we began the journey through the shadow of death. Sacred invitations.

Two weeks after J.D.’s death, David’s dad died. Some of you know what it’s like to lose multiple people you love in a very short time span. The grief is intense. Sorrow is multiplied and amplified to the extent that you may experience fatigue, headaches, nausea, and changes in appetite and sleep. While we have different spiritual practices that grounded us during this time, we were also greatly comforted by your prayers.

Never doubt that every prayer you offer on behalf of a global servant—even if you don’t have the specific details—is heard by God. There have been countless times in our ministry when we knew our safety, our emotional health, and our spiritual well-being were directly connected to the prayers said on our behalf.  One of the most significant things that helps during intense grief is social support and the ability to express feelings. Thank you for being our support base as we in turn support our colleagues.

EASTER

This past Sunday we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus. The joy, wonder, and mystery of Easter Sunday can still leave us breathless. It reminds us that the power of transformation is at the core of our faith. Our hope is anchored in the belief that our physical death is not the end. Psalm 30 tells us that weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning!

Easter joy, however, does not erase lingering grief. Grief follows its own path. It cannot be rushed. There are peaks and valleys. It ebbs and flows like the tide. Befriending grief takes time. And so, if like us, you too are in a season of grief, be kind to yourself. Be full of peace. And, if you are in a season of joy, then extend grace to those who need comfort and compassion.

As a faith community may we become the love and light of Christ to one another as we accompany each other through both joy and sorrow.

PRAYER REQUESTS

• Pray for J.D.’s wife Rhonda and their adult children as they continue to grieve his death.
• Pray for our resilience and restoration after our own experiences with deep loss.
• Pray for Sarah and Luis Matos who are settling into their new assignment in Chiapas, Mexico.
• Pray for our missionary colleagues who serve in complicated and complex circumstances like Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Pray for discernment to guide our steps so that the care we provide remains authentic.

Your global ambassadors,

David and Joyce Reed

Global Coordinators of Spiritual Care