We apologize that we have been MIA for a couple of months from our blog. This is because we are on what our church calls "home assignment." It used to be called "furlough" or "deputation." Basically, home assignment is when missionaries return to their home country, usually for 2-3 months, and they travel around wherever they are invited, visiting churches and groups to share about how God is at work in their ministry and in the country where they are working.
Home assignment is sometimes a very difficult time for missionaries because in many instances (including ours) we must keep up with our entire normal workload, while adding in visits to churches and long distance travel virtually every weekend. We meet up with anyone who asks, so we can have opportunities to start or continue relationships and partnerships and to share about our lives and how God is at work in His world through our church, as well as learning about how God is at work in your churches and communities.
We are particularly blessed because this year we are spending our two-month home assignment on our home district of Colorado, where both of our families live in the same city. This means that we can stay with my parents in their basement whenever we're in town, and that is very comfortable. We can also drive one of my parents' cars, since they are retired and it's not too disruptive for them that we have their car most of the time. And when we're done with work for the day we can enjoy meals with our families and relaxing time just talking and catching up.
We are also really excited that Colorado is our LINKS district. LINKS is an initiative that matches a missionary family to a district for two years, so that the churches on the district can really get to know the missionary family, that they can each pray for the other, and many times the districts will send gifts, packages, letters and cards. It's really fun for us to be able to visit many of the churches who have been caring for us in the past year, with fun letters and cards in the mail, newsy email greetings, care packages and gifts for anniversaries and birthdays. It adds something special to be able to meet everyone in person after we've been communicating in writing for about a year.
While home assignment can be very draining and tiring with all the travel, and trying to squeeze in time on the computer and Skype to keep up with projects, articles and publications for me, and time reading and writing for Andrew's PhD research so he can meet a September deadline, at the same time it is also very encouraging and energizing to spend time with our churches at home. We love hearing from people "I've been praying for you" or "We will be praying for you." We love whenever it's convenient for a church to plan a potluck or a dinner so that we can have time over a meal sharing informally and getting to know you. We have deeply appreciated the positive feedback after our presentation, as many of you have said you've been challenged by the stories from the Middle East, gained a new perspective on your own lives and faith, and felt moved to give financially or to pray for our brothers and sisters in the Middle East who are bravely continuing to minister to refugees in the midst of a time of instability and crisis. We've been humbled and blessed by the gifts given to support and continue our ministry in Eurasia.
The Colorado churches have been particularly thoughtful in asking about our comfort and needs while we are on the road, in taking special care regarding my food allergies whenever there is a meal provided, in giving us a very restful experience when we stay in your homes or in a hotel so we can have time alone together to re-energize and recharge for the next day's long drive. It was so fun to arrive in our hotel room last night and find a homemade snack basket with fresh banana bread, fruit and water and juice. What a nice and thoughtful touch! Another family sent us on our way a few weeks ago with locally grown plums and homemade banana bread, as well. And one church, who knew our love for good coffee, sent us out with a care package of locally roasted coffee beans, and travel coffee cups. These gifts symbolize a desire to know us and to support us in small ways that have big meaning!
We also really love to hear about your lives, how God has blessed you, how your churches are at work in innovative ways to meet the unique needs in each of your communities. We love to share our lives, but we love when you share yours with us, as well!
We have about 3 weeks left of our home assignment. We are starting to think about our friends and our life in Manchester. Yet we are still enjoying our time in our home country and culture, with new and old friends, and time with our parents and siblings and my brother's two children. We look forward to a few days in Texas. And then all too soon it will be time to say goodbye.
Thank you, Colorado, for being an AWESOME LINKS district, for sharing your lives and hearts with us and opening yourself up to our lives and hearts as well.
Home assignment is sometimes a very difficult time for missionaries because in many instances (including ours) we must keep up with our entire normal workload, while adding in visits to churches and long distance travel virtually every weekend. We meet up with anyone who asks, so we can have opportunities to start or continue relationships and partnerships and to share about our lives and how God is at work in His world through our church, as well as learning about how God is at work in your churches and communities.
We are particularly blessed because this year we are spending our two-month home assignment on our home district of Colorado, where both of our families live in the same city. This means that we can stay with my parents in their basement whenever we're in town, and that is very comfortable. We can also drive one of my parents' cars, since they are retired and it's not too disruptive for them that we have their car most of the time. And when we're done with work for the day we can enjoy meals with our families and relaxing time just talking and catching up.
We are also really excited that Colorado is our LINKS district. LINKS is an initiative that matches a missionary family to a district for two years, so that the churches on the district can really get to know the missionary family, that they can each pray for the other, and many times the districts will send gifts, packages, letters and cards. It's really fun for us to be able to visit many of the churches who have been caring for us in the past year, with fun letters and cards in the mail, newsy email greetings, care packages and gifts for anniversaries and birthdays. It adds something special to be able to meet everyone in person after we've been communicating in writing for about a year.
While home assignment can be very draining and tiring with all the travel, and trying to squeeze in time on the computer and Skype to keep up with projects, articles and publications for me, and time reading and writing for Andrew's PhD research so he can meet a September deadline, at the same time it is also very encouraging and energizing to spend time with our churches at home. We love hearing from people "I've been praying for you" or "We will be praying for you." We love whenever it's convenient for a church to plan a potluck or a dinner so that we can have time over a meal sharing informally and getting to know you. We have deeply appreciated the positive feedback after our presentation, as many of you have said you've been challenged by the stories from the Middle East, gained a new perspective on your own lives and faith, and felt moved to give financially or to pray for our brothers and sisters in the Middle East who are bravely continuing to minister to refugees in the midst of a time of instability and crisis. We've been humbled and blessed by the gifts given to support and continue our ministry in Eurasia.
The Colorado churches have been particularly thoughtful in asking about our comfort and needs while we are on the road, in taking special care regarding my food allergies whenever there is a meal provided, in giving us a very restful experience when we stay in your homes or in a hotel so we can have time alone together to re-energize and recharge for the next day's long drive. It was so fun to arrive in our hotel room last night and find a homemade snack basket with fresh banana bread, fruit and water and juice. What a nice and thoughtful touch! Another family sent us on our way a few weeks ago with locally grown plums and homemade banana bread, as well. And one church, who knew our love for good coffee, sent us out with a care package of locally roasted coffee beans, and travel coffee cups. These gifts symbolize a desire to know us and to support us in small ways that have big meaning!
We also really love to hear about your lives, how God has blessed you, how your churches are at work in innovative ways to meet the unique needs in each of your communities. We love to share our lives, but we love when you share yours with us, as well!
We have about 3 weeks left of our home assignment. We are starting to think about our friends and our life in Manchester. Yet we are still enjoying our time in our home country and culture, with new and old friends, and time with our parents and siblings and my brother's two children. We look forward to a few days in Texas. And then all too soon it will be time to say goodbye.
Thank you, Colorado, for being an AWESOME LINKS district, for sharing your lives and hearts with us and opening yourself up to our lives and hearts as well.
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