Poems

Ok, in response to some friends on Facebook, I will be posting some poems from my book here and linking this page to FB occasionally.

I'd like to share this one today, and also give the background behind it. Dr. Dan Truax was my missions teacher in Bible college. I had heard stories about him when I was younger, and was so excited to meet him in person. At the time he was my teacher, he was up in years, and his wife, Mary came to class with him.

I spent many Saturday afternoons in their home looking at pictures he had sketched and painted, and listening to them talk about their time as missionaries. Dr. Truax was born in China. His parents were missionaries there. He and his wife served in the Sahara desert until health reasons sent them back to the states.

His stories often made me cry. I could see, even though he was no longer able to go to Africa, he longed for the people. It was through he and his wife that I gained a burden for missionary/ministry work. Though I don't know where the Lord will lead me, I long to serve Him, whether it's here in South Carolina, or the uttermost parts of the earth. One of his most popular sayings was, "What part of 'go ye' don't you understand?" I wrote this in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Truax. I pray it will be a blessing.

What Part of "GO YE" Don't YOU understand?

"Dear Lord, I want to serve You."
a soul cried out one day.
"But please don't ask for sacrifice
for that simply is not my way."

"Don't ask me to go to foreign fields,
or leave my family dear;
and Lord, it would be nice
to have all my comforts near."

"I just couldn't bare cold or heat,
or live in heathen land.
I would hate to have to learn
a language I don't understand."

"Don't ask of me the hard task
of prayer or winning souls,
for living out my life in ease
has been my highest goal."

The soul, now finished with it's prayer
sat back with peace, content.
Until an answer came from Heaven and said,
"To a foreign lang you have been sent."

"For it was in My purpose
and all along My plan.
Now I ask you this one question:
What part of GO YE don't you understand?"

We may stand back and wonder
who would pray to God that prayer.
But looking in our church pews
we'll find our answers there.

Now you've read my poem,
the words are simple from my hand.
Yet I ask you this one question:
What part of GO YE don't YOU understand?