"By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going…" (Hebrews 11:8)
I can’t help but laugh when I read that verse, identifying so much with befuddled Abraham. At the start of 2017, Dave and I committed to a time of prayer for a clear vision for the coming year. The response was not the desired one-year plan, a monument to 2017 that we could build and point to as a success. Instead, we heard, “Just obey for the next step.” So, we’ve forged ahead like Abraham, with “no idea” of a long-term destination, just praying over each decision as it comes, and trying to obey one day at a time.
And what a year it has been! We’re sharing glimpses with you in photos here, and we thank you for walking along with us in prayer, and in personal and financial support. Eugene Peterson describes following Jesus as a lifestyle on the move. He quotes Faulkner, who writes that we do not leave behind monuments, which only say, “At least I got this far.” Rather, we leave footprints, which say, “This is where I was when I moved again.”
The true monument building belongs not to us, but to God. We don’t see the master plan, but we can offer ourselves as obedient workers. We walk faithfully forward, like Abraham, who “did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations – the City designed and built by God.” (Hebrews 11:10)
On the move into 2018,
Dave & Beth,
Levi, Luke, Aaron and Evangeline
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These goofballs are sleeping much better at night. Thanks so much for your prayers!
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| Dave's 14-year-old nephew had such a great visit to Ecuador this summer that he's joining us for all of next semester. Please pray that we'll thrive with two teens in the house. |
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| Beth keeps expanding her role at our church, La Viña, continuing in music and teaching, while adding mentoring with Celebrate Recovery and serving on leadership council. |
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| Due to changes in immigration law, we decided to submit a visa application for permanent residency. While the process is costly, we will no longer have to go through visa renewals every two years, which will be a relief. |
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| After three months in the shop, our car is back. We are super grateful for mobility to be able to visit beautiful places like this again. |
