Goodbyes

On February 10, just a little over a month after we said goodbye and returned to Asia Pacific, the Lord called my grandmother home to be with Him.  Maw Maw leaves behind a legacy of love and care freely given to everyone who crossed her path.  She always knew when someone needed an open door, a warm meal, and a place to feel at home.  Please pray for all of her family as we are deeply grieving, but at the same time we’re so thankful that we’ll see her again because of Jesus.

The same morning that I (Jennifer) received the news about my grandmother, we also said goodbye to DJ’s parents as they returned to the USA to begin a new chapter in their lives.  They, along with DJ’s sister Rachel, got to spend a week here with us right before they made the long trip back.  DJ’s parents served here in Asia Pacific for 40 years and will continue to be involved in lesson development for the believers with whom they worked, even though they will no longer be living in Asia.  Please pray for them as they face all the adjustments that go with moving back to their home country after being gone most of the time for 4 decades.  Pray for Rachel too as she continues living among the Hobongan and translating the Bible for them.  Mom and Dad were a huge part of facilitating Rachel’s ability to live and minister there, so she has a lot of adjustments to make too now that they won’t be living nearby.

From Feb. 15-19, I (Jennifer) traveled to another island along with several of our teammates from the language and culture learning program here.  We attended 3 full days of meetings with those who are involved in the culture and language study programs on the other islands where our mission serves.  We were thankful for the opportunity to discuss and coordinate our programs since we live far apart and don’t often get the chance to meet.

Thank you so much for your prayers for us.  We especially feel the need for them right now as we work through our grief while continuing to carry out the ministries the Lord has for us here.