Missionaries Spain Matthew and Brooke Turnbough Christmas season
Two thinkers as ideologically opposed as Martin Heidegger and Karl Marx agreed on the importance of at least one theme. In fact, according to these philosophers, the concept of alienation was a crucial element to understanding human existence. This idea of alienation implies a feeling of separation. In theory, it represents the condition of all men precisely because we are in the world yet do not feel at home.
A few weeks ago, my parents left Spain after almost 30 years of service here. They made the decision to leave the country where my sister and I grew up in order to return to the country where we were born. As our son Andrew said this last week, we now “live in different spaces” (this is true both physically as well as symbolically). Saying goodbye to my parents was in a sense saying farewell to what had been my main ties for much of my life (they were the only constant). For me the defining sentiment of being a TCK (third culture kid) has been this feeling of not belonging. Whether we were in the States, in Spain or anywhere else, I was always aware of the fact that I wasn’t completely rooted in these social contexts. And yet I sense that I am not alone.
Every week I come into contact with immigrants who feel like they don’t belong and suffer from estrangement. On the other hand, I frequently talk with Spaniards and other Europeans who also express a void in their lives. In reality, all of us lack a sense of being completely settled. We know deep down, that this world lacks something or that it’s not complete. No material possession, no social relationship and no human ideology can satisfy our longing for home.
The good news is Jesus Christ. He immigrated to this world so that we wouldn’t have to suffer alienation from God. Because of Him, we are able to obtain true freedom, complete acceptance and genuine belonging. Our celebration of his birth reminds us that we all long for something more than this world can offer. As Philippians 3:20 says, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” We long for that heavenly city and for the day when He says, “Welcome home."
Thank you for your support of Free Will Baptist International Missions as we work towards communicating the Good News to all people. Our organization is struggling financially and we need your help more than ever before. We ask that you please consider giving a special offering to FWBIM. We sincerely hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
For Him,
Matthew and Brooke Turnbough