Family Reunion

The entire reunion gang.

American families (at least ours) are much more scattered. We don’t always know our cousins very well. We live very independent lives from one another, but we do love to stay connected and to come together for selected holidays and reunions.

Tom’s family had a reunion this past weekend. They came from five different states. Some flew and some drove.  At it’s height 17 adults descended on a large house in Gloucester for the Columbus Day weekend.  Grandchildren were spoiled, lobster was eaten, and every movement, from a walk to a meal was a production of great effort and chaos, “like turning an aircraft carrier” someone remarked.

There was a lot of talking, a lot of catching up, and a lot of listening.  Yet, in our extended families, the rule is usually “to each his own.”  Maybe we try to influence with words and with love, but at the end of the day, each member makes their own decisions.  How different from the Islands.  There, 17 people together would be a typical day, and everyone would have a say in the future of your cousin (and might have to contribute monetarily) as to her education. And it would be your uncle’s responsibility to find a job for your sibling who is unemployed.  Of course, your sibling might not have a choice in the job he receives.  His dreams of being a pharmacist might wither due to the family’s needs for someone to drive a taxi.  We value independence.  They value interdependence.

Yet whether it is an American family or an Island family, both need Good News.  And the Good News transforms--be it individuals, families, communities or cultures--everyone needs new life and the power of truth and love.  So we pray for our families, here and on the Islands, that they would be transformed to show greater love and kindness and reflect the love that God has lavished to us.

Our son giving his baby cousin a kiss.

PRAYERS ANSWERED
We had a wonderful time with family, and thank God that everyone was able to arrive and return safely.  We are also thankful for the many great conversations and memories we were able to share together. After the reunion we had a great trip and time up in Maine, connecting with friends and sharing our lives and eating lots of apples (yeah for Applefest 2011!).

PRAYERS REQUESTED
On the islands, one of our brothers is facing opposition from his village community because of his regular attendance at a Sunday event.  They came looking for him with malicious intent.  Our brother has decided to go into hiding.  Please pray for him and for his community. We are still planning our trip to Vermont and also have a long list of people we want to connect with while in MA, pray that we would know what to do and when.

Our daughter and Megan walking on the beach

On the islands, family is very important. Your family plays a huge role in your life. They feed you. They house you. They help you through school. They help you get a job. They help you find a spouse.  Family and the larger community blur together on the islands. Multiple generations often live in the same household. Beyond that, aunts, uncles, cousins, great-aunts, etc often live in the same neighborhood (especially in the villages).  In the end, it seems like, everybody is related to everybody.  All choices and decisions come with the weight and support of your family--for better or worse.