December 2023…

“I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I love to see you, that I may be filled with joy.”

2 Timothy 1:3-4

The life of the missionary is full of goodbyes. We spent two years on deputation meeting people for short times and having to say goodbye. We spent the last year at Rio Grande Bible Institue, studying a language, learning a culture, but most importantly connecting with people, and now we have said our goodbyes. As I sit in our temporary apartment and reflect on the fast trip to get home, I cannot help but think of the powerful words that Paul wrote to Timothy. We have so many wonderful memories of great people at RGBI and I pray that they continue to “fan into flame the gift of God” (2nd Timothy 1:6). 

We left campus at 3:30am on Tuesday, December 12th, and arrived in Washington at 12:30pm on Thursday, December 14th! At just shy of 2200 miles we drove 17 hours the first day, 16 hours the second day, and finished with just a 4-hour drive from Notus, ID on our last day. It was great to stop the last night to stay with Pastor Sparky Clancy and his family Wednesday night. We consider them part of our team of mentors in the ministry process and were greatly blessed to share and reflect on God’s goodness through the process of language school. 

When we arrived at home, we had a couple of surprises as we were not expected until Friday. It was great to share in the moments of surprise but really, we just cannot wait for Sunday to come so we can get all the hugs! Our home church has done a great job preparing for our arrival. Kathleen, just commented that she needed some facial tissue (I think we all do) only to turn around and find a box sitting on the shelf. We have food in the pantry, beds in the rooms, and love from all around! We are blessed! Thank you, Grace Baptist Church, for welcoming us home and reminding us of the great God we serve together. 

We expect the remainder of December to go quickly. The kids have some fun activities to be part of at church, we have friends to connect with and Christmas just around the corner. We are looking forward to the moments of family time as we prepare for the adjustment to the mission field. 

What lies ahead? The end of November we finally received the final passports in the mail. The beginning of December we purchased our official tickets for the move to Paraguay! We will have our commissioning service on February 11th at Grace Baptist Church and then begin the move to Paraguay on February 13th. We have arranged a stay in the capitol with some friends while we work with a lawyer to get documentation in order and submitted for our residency. This will also give us a little time to get adjusted after jetlag. Our plan would be to arrive in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay on February 19th. 

How you can pray: 1)Please pray for our time in Washington that we would enjoy the moments as a family. 2)Secondly, please pray that we would get all necessary documents in order, we think we have everything we need but we will check the list and maybe twice. 3)Third, please pray for our partners in Paraguay as they look for a place for us to rent upon arrival. 4) Fourth, we have been in contact with a missionary in Paraguay that is looking to sell his mini-van which would be a good fit for our family. We are waiting on some details but please pray for wisdom as we take these steps.