Friday, June 14, 2019

SUMMER 2019

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”  She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!”  Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
– John 20:16-18

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, 
the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17. 


Letting Go


Mary’s Easter story has been on my mind recently.  I wish I could ask her what she thinks of living by faith.  This story gives me reason to think she would say it’s not easy.  Consider the turmoil she endured just to end up at an empty tomb.  Then imagine her hearing her own name spoken by the one she loves.  Driven by pure joy, she grabs ahold of the tangible, real body of her Lord, only to be told, “No, you can’t hold onYou must be willing to let go!”  Living by faith is hard! 
Even so, Mary let go of the known, the safe.  Did she know that her act of surrender would transform her from Mary, the disciple, to Mary, the apostle? A new life became available to her by letting go.  None of us knows to what extent letting go will free us to become the new creatures Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians.
Likewise, our family has been challenged to let go of the tangible and predictable.   A year ago in April, we had to release the ministry and relationships connected with the English service Beth helped lead for over two years.  I (David) have had to let go of several ministry opportunities at school due to various changes.  As we look to our coming year in the U.S., the kids are struggling with the prospect of letting go of their friends and the only home they’ve ever known.
And Beth and I are working on letting go of our need to control the future.  We still need to find someone to sublease our apartment and buy our car before July 31st.
Yet amid the losses, there has been a newness of faith.  We have been granted a year-long rental of a furnished home for missionaries.  Our address, beginning August 1, is 111 N. President, Wheaton, IL  60187. In addition, a friend from college has offered us the use of his car for the year.  We are so grateful for God’s provision.
Our prayer is that we will continue to let go and, in doing so, echo Mary’s words, “We have seen the Lord.”



Prayer Needs
- Reliable sub-renter for our apartment/ Aug. 2019 – Aug. 2020
- Sell car at a reasonable price
- Say goodbyes well
- Nursing job for Beth to be able to refresh her skills

- Continued energy for mentoring/teaching for David



SPRING 2019



Recently Beth and I looked through our photos and came across a picture of us packing for Quito in January 2007.  While reflecting on these last 12 years, we were reminded of the countless hellos and goodbyes that make up life in our cross-cultural and transient community.  We agree with Job when he declared, “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Praise the name of the Lord!”


 This coming fall, we will enter a new phase of hellos and goodbyes, of surrendering and receiving.  In August, we plan to begin a “home ministry assignment” (furlough) year in Wheaton, Illinois.  We look forward to reconnecting with our family and friends, who have supported us in so many ways over the years.  The kids will experience public school for the first time, while Beth and I find time for reflection, support-raising and professional development.

Over the years, we have found that when the Lord wants to give us something new, he often takes away something dear. We will miss our life and friends in Quito, but we are confident that God's plan will ultimately move us to "praise the name of the Lord!" Please pray for us as we prepare for the coming year away and plan details for our return to Quito in fall of 2020. 


Prayer Needs

· For buyers for our car in Ecuador.

· For a car while in Wheaton.

· For trustworthy apartment sitters while we are away.

· For meaningful activities for Beth and me in the Wheaton area.

· For our family’s hearts as we leave our Quito community.