Plans

Due to the holidays and vacationing and new baby, I have completely neglected to fill you guys in on the changes that will be happening over the next few years in our lives and ministry. I will try to summarize this as quickly as possible. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail or call.

Due to budget cuts and bad economy, the IMB is not appointing many new missionaries this year although the need for missionaries is still VERY high. It is not clear when the economy and giving will bounce back. So, the IMB is relocating missionaries that are currently overseas with their organization to different assignments that are considered "high priority." They are only relocating missionaries that are currently serving in areas that are not considered "high priority." It makes sense to use the resources you already have to meet the current needs.

So....John and I will be returning to America from August 1, 2010 to January 15, 2011 for our first furlough (a.k.a. Stateside Assignment) after being overseas for 3 years. We will be living in a furnished 2 bedroom mission house that is about 3 blocks from our hometown church, First Baptist Church of St. Cloud. It is located in the center of town and we are looking forward to living there temporarily.

We will then return to Peru to continue ministry here. Although it looks as if John will not be doing much church planting at that time. He will be working with local churches to help get them to reach their own people and also to encourage them to send Peruvians to other countries to be missionaries of the Gospel of Christ.

Lord willing, we will serve only 2 more years here. After that, we will pack up all of our stuff (yet again) or sell it and we will take another 3-4 months to live in the U.S. for another brief furlough and then will be relocated to another country. It is unknown to us at this time where God will be sending us.

At first I was really upset, but it is more than true that God gives us peace that surpasses all understanding. I am glad to have a few years to process another big life change and possibly a new culture and language. God is not surprised at any of this and since He has called US, He will equip us. And that is what comforts me the most in all of this. No matter where we are or where we will be, He will be right there, too.

So now you know the concrete plans that are scheduled to change at a moment's notice. ;) It's always an adventure with God.