As most of you know, its been 4 years since we committed to leap out of our "knowns" and jump into the "unknowns" of full-time work in Haiti. We've been stretched beyond what we argued we could stand but we've also been blessed more abundantly than we ever dreamed.
Prayers were answered all along the way!
After 2 years of praying through some pretty hard transitions, we returned to Mississippi last year as an excited, yet exhausted, family of 6 on July 1st for furlough. We were eager to unwind with family, regroup, and prepare to return to Haiti in January. We prayed for direction and provision for the next step as we traveled and shared about our work.
So many of you have continued to lift us up through each and every challenge. You're simply amazing!
At the end of December, 4 of our 6 traveled back to Haiti. Caleb and I returned to Mississippi the middle of January but John stayed and worked with our Heartline Ministries family in Port-au-Prince and Cabila was able to go and visit with some extended family and friends from his 'hometown'. Being apart was really hard as we continued to pray for direction.
Last month I wrote about delays and travel and disappointment and prayers and waiting and All These Aspects. Praise the Lord, we are all together again but today I write with a heavy heart.
We believe that our family needs to be together wherever we are serving...that's always been our plan. But the thing that's currently leveling me is the plan to return to the States full-time. It's not a decision we've taken lightly but it is a decision that John and I feel God has led us to. The last 8 months have been brutal as we've mapped out what the "next" is supposed to look like.
We aren't shutting the door on Haiti but we agree that making plans where we have more opportunity to do what's best for our family unit is here right now. My mind knows this but my heart has yet to embrace it. My heart is in Haiti. I don't want to start over here.
I'm struggling and while I know it's a great risk to put my raw feelings out here in the vast world of social media, I need to ask for your prayers as we begin this process of starting over.
If you are a praying person, would you pray for us?
This very real, 'say goodbye to where you've been and tell your heart to beat again' kind of feat is upon us. Will you pray for supernatural relief and provision as we look for employment, vehicles and the right place to relocate and serve?
It's going to require strength I'm not sure I have.
Clinging to this: "When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, My Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of Me, you can be sure that I'll be there."
-Matthew 18: 19-20
Dawn I have had the opportunity to serve on many missionary support teams. On two separate occasions the group decided that it would be better for a young family to concentrate on raising their children. And in retrospect it was a good decision. You are wonderful parents and have great kids. You will always have a special love for Haiti. Praying for your peace.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dale! We appreciate your friendship and your encouragement.
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