Yep it is that time again. We are heading back to Portland in July. Our first term we felt like it took forever until our furlough came, but this time around we can’t believe that it is already here. We look forward to stepping through the wardrobe into our other world, but we aren’t as in need of rest and healing as we were the last time we stepped through. This means that we are fully looking forward to connecting with people as when we get back and sharing with our churches of what God is doing here in West Africa.
In preparation, I thought I would do a few posts summarizing different pieces of our ministry. So, look forward to that in weeks to come. The Month of May is a month of travels for me, so I have been working hard to get packed and ready. We hit the sky yearly June, but it will take us close to a month to make it across the US before we settle down in July. Recently, I have been going through clothes, organizing photos, making video presentations and buying gifts, and looking for all we need to bring back to share a little of Senegal with those we love.
What is our plan this furlough? We will be based out of Portland and will be regularly attending our supporting churches in the area. We would love to connect with as many as we can either individually or in groups. Do you have a small group you meet with that we could share at? Or can you gather a group of friends together and we will come and share? Or you can open your house and we will gather the group together. We would love to cook you a Senegalese meal (yes it will be a different meal than the last furlough) and share a little of what God is at work doing. Or if meals are not a normal part of your meetings we have different flavors of teas and jams to try.
What is the best way that you can help us this furlough…? Plan ahead and let us know when you want to connect. Our six months will fill up quickly so don’t wait until the last minute or you might miss out! As soon as you can get something on the calendar, let us know so that we can put that time aside.
A small note about our kids. Be prepared that our kids will most likely not remember you. There are even members of our families that we ask them about that they admit they can’t remember. So expect you will need to introduce yourselves to them.
See you in a few months!
Do you have the financial support that you need for travel expenses?
We’d like to have you up here this furlough…. Ben and Kelly and their 3 boys live here now, so I think we’d enjoy some time together….. they know Martin and Margit very well, and we hosted them last year.!
Joe and I have found some great tools for helping kids adjust to another culture and coming “home” and also what it’s like to be an MK. We would love to connect. We are in MI so maybe we could talk over skype sometime. 🙂 Praying for you.
I was surprised when I talked to Anna on Sunday. She said that you were coming home this summer and that your parents were all excited about your home coming. The time has gone so quickly. Praying for journey mercies and your transition to another culture is a privilege. May the Lord bless you as you step through the wardrobe.
Thumbs Up! Yeah, we’ll look forward to your visit and be praying for you as you transition back to our culture. I think that while coming home is always a highly anticipated event that our dear USA can be a rude and shocking place for those who have been away for a length of time as your family has. Nevertheless we are excited to see you and will begin now bathing you on prayer for your walk through the wardrobe.