Future Plans

     For the past two months, we’ve been praying about our future plans.  This is a process we’ve become very familiar with over the past ten years, but one that we continue to dislike.  When we first moved to Panama, our plan was to teach at CCA for two years and then return to the states to continue our education.  After one year as teachers, we were hired by CBC to be the Children’s Pastor.  We stayed on in this position without a clearly defined contract for how long we would stay.  Every year, about half way through the year, we would stop and pray about whether or not we would continue another year.  And we did this year, after year, after year.  After seven years of this, we decided we wanted something more definite.  So we began to pray about whether or not God wanted us to stay on at CBC “permanently,” or return to the states to settle down and plant some roots.  Instead, God sent us to Guinea.  And now we’ve been in the same situation, about half way through the year, praying and asking God what’s next. 

     Finally, after two months of prayer and deliberation, we’ve come to a decision.  This past week we officially announced to CBC that we won’t be returning as Children’s Pastor next year.  Before leaving CBC I had the strange feeling that my time as children’s pastor was coming to an end.  Saying goodbye for a one year assignment felt like we were saying goodbye more “permanently.”  And now that presentiment is coming to fulfillment, as we continue to feel that God is leading us to go somewhere else.  At first we thought about and considered staying on in Guinea.  However, as the Galvez and Snetselaars began to establish plans for an upcoming furlough, it seemed like that option was closing.  Indeed, our abilities to teach their children will soon be maxed out anyways, as neither Jen nor I are qualified to teach high school.  Furthermore, we both feel like the right thing to do for now is to return to the states.  We don’t know what this will mean for us as we don’t have a job lined up—searching for jobs can be a little tricky when you’re thousands of miles away dealing with a really poor internet connection—but we’re trusting that the Lord will guide and provide all we need.  At this time some of the options we’re seeing are:  1.  Search for a children’s pastor or missions pastor position on the West Coast or somewhere close to our families, 2. Pursue the possibility of getting a seminary degree, and/or 3. Work with my father in his ministry/organization which involves training African leaders for holistic community transformation.  It’s quite possible we’ll end up doing a mix of all three, depending on the Lord’s provision and direction.

     As I mentioned before, it’s a little daunting to think of re-entering the United States.  I’m not sure how we’ll handle transitioning to this environment.  It’s also a little scary to face the prospect of joblessness.  Indeed it was quite difficult to give up a job and a church that we love for something that is completely unknown.  And now it seems very strange that going back “home” is going to require greater faith than moving to Africa.  Still, I guess that’s how the Lord works, stretching us in ways we least expect it and in areas we most need it.

  As you read this, please pray for us.  Pray that God would give us faith and peace in this process.  Pray for clear guidance and direction for us.  Pray that God would provide for us work, a good home, church, and school.  Pray that God would be glorified in our lives no matter where we go.  Pray for us to finish our time in Guinea well, for God to use us and minister in and through us in the remaining five months.  And pray for the Jahango team, that God would continue to provide teachers for them in the education of their children. 

     We know God is faithful.  We know He is good.  The great thing with times like these is that we put all of that to the test once again, depending on Him to prove Himself all over again.  And we know that He will; He always does.