The weeks are going by so quickly, but we are amazed with what God is doing. An update on our family since our last newsletter. We completed our 6 week pre-field training which was a really rich experience for all of us (for more on this read: Field Preparation at CIT). During this time, we felt God advancing our timeline to leave sooner. Almost immediately after training, we submitted our visa applications, which were approved and returned in a week and purchased our plane tickets. We have an apartment for language school, visas, plane tickets,our pallet has been shipped and we're ready to go!
We are not as surprised anymore when there are unexpected changes and turns, but we were thrown for a loop when we found out that Naomi needed surgery on October 6th. She had not been feeling well and went to the doctor to get checked out. Thinking it was going to be dismissed as a part of the stress we are under and living in transition, we were surprised that the next day Naomi was in surgery and looking at 4 weeks of recovery. Not a coincidence we were exactly 4 weeks away from boarding a plane with our one way tickets! Naomi laid in the hospital bed during her pre surgery prep playing her favorite worship songs as nurses were brought to tears. It caught her attention that at one point the music unexpectedly stopped and the anesthesiologist asked “what happened to the music?” After all the healthcare workers have been through, I pray God used that time to encourage their morning and give them strength to press on.
We had to scratch our plans for visiting and traveling and retreat to survival mode. It was disorienting to be in this position with no home, inadequate health insurance and trying to prepare to leave. We have been met with answered prayers, grace, love, hospitality, kindness and understanding that the Church is called to do for one another. “Thank you” is insufficient for how we feel. With the changes we have gone through, please reach out with a call to say “farewell”. We are sad our plans were changed, but know that God was in the details and the provision even if we could not see it.
Despite all the moving pieces and changes, the girls are doing well. Their homeschool program is adaptable enough for us to pick up and adjust as needed. They have been troopers with packing and moving from place to place. And they, as I (Naomi), feel like saying goodbye is no fun. Being in transition has been a tender time for us. Our emotions are big and we are feeling exposed as we enter our 4th month without a place of our own. We leave for France NOV 6, 2021 from Dulles airport and begin the adventure on the other side of the ocean. After all we have navigated, we are looking forward to the good things God has prepared for us. We are excited to open the door to our apartment and take in a deep breath and say, "we’re home".
So what remains for us in the next 20 days? Our pallet will begin its trip over to France on a cargo ship and we will organize what remains of our personal items into 5 checked bags, 5 carryon suitcases, 4 personal items and the trusty dog, Samson. We need to raise about $750/mo to complete our fundraising needs and loads of goodbyes, hugs and prayers. Please join us in praying, giving and connecting with us. If you gave a one time gift to our ministry, please consider making it annual. If you are able to increase your gift, please pray about the amount to which God is asking you to give at this time and if you have questions about our ministry, please reach out. We are truly thankful and humbled by the team of support that is surrounding us and cheering us on.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:2-6