We just wanted to let you all know that we arrived safely in Southern California late Friday night. We've been unpacking and settling into Jamie's parents house for an undetermined length of time. Things are still kind of up in the air for us, so we are just remaining flexible and allowing the Lord to guide our next steps.
Since we want to use this time to focus on our family we will be "flying under the radar", so to speak, for a little while. It's very tempting to start scheduling visits and catching up with friends and family now that we're back, but we need to keep things on the down low for a while. We hope you understand.
We also want to thank you for so many encouraging emails and prayers. We had so many we couldn't respond to them all.... we felt seriously loved and supported! It's more encouraging than you can know.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Isn't It Ironic...
Wouldn't ya know... just two days before we are scheduled to leave Costa Rica, we officially receive our residency!Even so, we are thrilled about it. This is no small feat. The fact that we were approved by the government only 1 week after turning in our paperwork is nothing short of a miracle (considering it has taken some people 3 months - 2 years to complete this process).
We also have to thank our small Costa Rican church and specifically our beloved Pastor Alex for allowing us the honor of applying under the church's jurisdiction and for all his hard work and patience in gathering the necessary paperwork.
We know God has a purpose for making us residents here so quickly and smoothly....
I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
A Hard Letter to Write
This is one of those letters that you just don’t know how to start, so we’ll just get right to the point.
After much prayer and counsel, we feel that God is asking our family to leave Costa Rica at this time. Recent stressors and events here have highlighted some areas of weakness in our family’s emotional and mental health. Although it is truly tearing at our hearts to have to leave this country, especially after the Lord has so clearly guided every single step, we understand that at this moment in time we are not as well equipped to continue in ministry as we could be. God has specifically shown us that we need to make our family’s health priority in order to serve to our fullest potential.
We believe without a shadow of a doubt that this is still part of God’s big plan for us, even though it seems like a detour. The honest truth is we very clearly see God’s hand in this timing… He brought us here, drew us near to Him, provided trusted counsel, and allowed deeper truths to be revealed…all so we could learn to die to ourselves and learn to trust Him more.
Even though we are confident in what the Lord is asking of us, the actual “doing” of it is very difficult. Please join us in prayer for this unexpected transition back home and all the logistics and adjustments that it entails, for this season of peace, restoration, and healing, and most of all, that no matter what, God’s infinite grace and glory will be revealed. Our hope is to return to full-time overseas service as the Lord directs.
Thank you all for your prayers and support of our family.
To our Financial Supporters
We can’t say thank you enough for your faithful prayers and financial support during this last year.
We want to be clear that any financial commitments are free to change along with this temporary change in plans. We ask that you seek what the Lord would have you do. You may decide to cancel your commitment, or put your commitment “on-hold” until regular ministry begins again. If you wish to continue financial support, your donations will help offset living expenses and counseling while at home or be placed in a savings account to provide for reassignment costs when we relocate to the field once again.
After much prayer and counsel, we feel that God is asking our family to leave Costa Rica at this time. Recent stressors and events here have highlighted some areas of weakness in our family’s emotional and mental health. Although it is truly tearing at our hearts to have to leave this country, especially after the Lord has so clearly guided every single step, we understand that at this moment in time we are not as well equipped to continue in ministry as we could be. God has specifically shown us that we need to make our family’s health priority in order to serve to our fullest potential.
We believe without a shadow of a doubt that this is still part of God’s big plan for us, even though it seems like a detour. The honest truth is we very clearly see God’s hand in this timing… He brought us here, drew us near to Him, provided trusted counsel, and allowed deeper truths to be revealed…all so we could learn to die to ourselves and learn to trust Him more.
Even though we are confident in what the Lord is asking of us, the actual “doing” of it is very difficult. Please join us in prayer for this unexpected transition back home and all the logistics and adjustments that it entails, for this season of peace, restoration, and healing, and most of all, that no matter what, God’s infinite grace and glory will be revealed. Our hope is to return to full-time overseas service as the Lord directs.
Thank you all for your prayers and support of our family.
To our Financial Supporters
We can’t say thank you enough for your faithful prayers and financial support during this last year.
We want to be clear that any financial commitments are free to change along with this temporary change in plans. We ask that you seek what the Lord would have you do. You may decide to cancel your commitment, or put your commitment “on-hold” until regular ministry begins again. If you wish to continue financial support, your donations will help offset living expenses and counseling while at home or be placed in a savings account to provide for reassignment costs when we relocate to the field once again.
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