This update is long, but has important news.
Approximately 11 months ago Corey and I took our first trip together to Ireland. We would both agree that the trip was the number one highlight of 2008. We met the wonderful missionaries with OM and began to explore if this was the next “home” God was calling us to. When we came home, we sought out wise counsel and believed that God was saying that this would be a good option for us. We never heard the clear audible voice of God saying to go, but felt that He was blessing this choice. We did, however, know for sure that God said not to go without 100% of our funds.
11 months later and not quite 50% supported, we have come to understand that this is not God’s timing for us to move to Ireland. This is a difficult place to be, but we absolutely have the peace of God in our decision.
Now what?
The exciting part of this decision is that God has opened wide a door for us to walk through immediately. We will be moving back to Gainesville, Georgia on February 23. I will be working in the office at Adventures in Missions once again, helping with the administrative side of missions. My focus will be the admissions section – interviewing applicants and then helping them become prepared for the mission field. Corey will be leading quite a few trips, both domestic and international. Though this does mean we might have to be apart some, it’s exciting that we will both be using our gifts to the fullest extent.
In addition, there is an opportunity for us to become chaplains at a local apartment community, Lake Lanier Club. It is a community based apartment complex where they have events regularly. The owner, partnering with our church and a ministry called Apartment Life, are seeking to bring a spiritual aspect into the community setting. When the details come together we will be able to pastor a community of about 1200 people, building true community based on Jesus.
What about donations?
First of all, we want to say thank you to every one of you who have joined our support team over the past 11 months. You have been and are an incredible encouragement to us as we see the Body of Christ pouring out in support of the things God is doing. Though we no longer plan to move to Ireland, we still plan to setup and lead multiple trips there this year and the donations that have been given enable us to do that.
In addition, we will continue to live off of support. Fortunately, with all of you who have joined our support team right now, we will be able to continue doing ministry in Georgia and overseas. As rich and fruitful as America is, it’s still cheaper to live here than Europe!
We absolutely appreciate how each of you who support us have joined what God is doing in and through us, not simply a destination. We are greatly encouraged in your faithful giving no matter what way God leads us. If you ever have any questions about your donations, please feel free to call us.
So was this Ireland thing a wild goose chase?
I have to confess that I’ve asked God that exact question. God, if this wasn’t clearly what You called us to do, then why didn’t You say no? In answer, God has reminded me of His most recent word to us: “I’m preparing you.” We in turn filled in that word with “for Ireland.” But now, looking back, we recognize how God has been teaching, molding, and preparing us in this season.
First we’ve seen the importance of walking in community, using our gifts. All throughout the Bible you see community. Jesus called a group of people to walk with Him in ministry. Then you see those disciples going out, always with at least one other partner in ministry. We have a great “tribe” in Gainesville who we have missed desperately. We know we aren’t supposed to “go it alone” anymore.
Next we’ve seen how much we have to learn. We need teachers and disciplers who will help us learn to walk in our gifts. Michael Hindes, who is a leader in AIM, and Corey are beginning a deep discipleship relationship, focusing on developing vision, strategies, and priorities in our life. Michael is going to help us grow and develop physically, spiritually, emotionally, financially, and mentally. We are absolutely blessed to have such an incredible mentor willing to commit to us.
We’ve also learned how to transition well. Change is difficult, and we’ve lived in transition for the past 7 months. The problem with living inside change is you may contract “destination disease.” We’ve seen how we have not been walking in our gifts and not been fully present in what God is doing now all with the excuse of “we’ll do it when we get to Ireland.” Now we’ve learned that we are called to be who God made us to be wherever we are… not waiting to “arrive” before we begin.
Last we’ve learned that it’s time to settle. As a single person we each had a lot of fun moving around, travelling, and having multiple “homes.” However, we’ve discovered that now as a couple, we value routine. That’s not to say that we’ll never change… but we are looking forward to settling down (as much as a radical Christ-follower ever “settles”).
So in the end, we recognize how God has used this period of time to teach and mold us. Could He have done it a different way? I’m sure… but I don’t know that we would have listened.
So Ireland is out of the picture?
Not completely! We, and all those who have been speaking into our life, agree that we are absolutely called to Ireland. The question is not in the call… it’s in the timing. If, one day, the door to Ireland opens up and God clearly calls us to walk through, we won’t hesitate to do so! In the meantime, we plan to lead teams there often, following our call not by living there, but by regular visits as God allows.
And one day, generations later, a child or grandchild in our family line may be the next St. Patrick. It’s not up to us to fulfill the call of God on our life, but we choose to believe and trust in the One who makes all things possible.
We understand you may have more questions than what we’ve answered here. Please don’t hesitate to call us or drop us an email anytime!!!
