There is a girl who lives in the neighborhood

She often joins me in the daily mundane

We talk, we cook, we have a fresh cup of java

And she always reaches for the same cup

It is a mug I have had for many years, a dear friend gave it to me

It is inscribed with the word "coffee" written in several different languages 

Maybe she is  drawn to that mug because of her heart for mission

And  it reminds her of the languages of the world

The many languages she would love to share the gospel in

Or, perhaps it is because of the beautiful fall colors that adorns the mug

Either way, she searches for that mug whenever she is here

She moves others away and may even climb a counter to find it

This week she leaves for missions training, and then on to the mission field 

And so, I wrapped up that mug, her mug that is ours

Placed it in a bag with some pretty little prayer cards and gave it to her

Now, as she is far away, she can remember that I am praying

For her as she tells the world of The love of Jesus

And now, there is an empty place in our cupboard where we kept her mug

Join me in prayer for this dear girl

Who has grown from youth student, to part of our ministry team

To dear friend, and now missionary