Too much to do . . . Too little time.
Dear Friends and Family,
We are now two months away from our return to the US, and things are starting to feel very real. We’ve begun selling some of our belongings and organizing the things we hope to ship back. There have been many “lasts” for us, and we’re doing our best to navigate the inevitable sadness that has come—and will continue to come—as we finish the year.
We had hoped to update you sooner, but so much has been up in the air. It feels like every time we try to take a step forward in an area where we feel progress is needed—a house to buy or rent, shipping our things, and so on—God places a block in the way, gently telling us to wait. The war in the Middle East has complicated our travel plans, especially since that is the route we need to fly with our dog. Shipping is essentially closed and now three times the cost we were originally quoted. We most likely won’t be approved for a loan to buy, and many rental properties require income guarantees we cannot provide at this time. In some ways, all of this is incredibly stressful. In other ways, it brings a strange peace, because it reminds us that these details are not ultimately in our hands. All we can do is trust God to work it out in His time and His ways.
Even in the midst of what feels like a series of roadblocks, God continues to confirm our next steps. George was able to use our story of stepping out in faith to encourage a student wrestling with university decisions. As they sat together discussing how to discern God’s will, an email arrived with the student’s acceptance to a sports team—something that felt like a direct confirmation of what he believed God had been telling him. Stacy shared with a Thai friend at church about our next steps and her hope of training people in the future to use counseling as a doorway for ministry. The woman opened up about how deeply that mattered to her. Her family has faced significant struggles in the mental health realm, and the stigma, cost barriers, and lack of well-trained professionals have only added to that burden. Their conversation ended with a hug and a heartfelt expression of gratitude that we are taking these steps now for the future benefit of others.
So, as we walk through the sad goodbyes, face the fear of the unknown, and work to discern future decisions, we are comforted that God knows all of it. Last Sunday we sang You’ve Already Won by Shane and Shane, and the words resonated deeply with us:
So, I can face tomorrow
For tomorrow's in Your hands
All I need You will provide
Just like You always have
I'm fighting a battle
You've already won
No matter what comes my way
I will overcome
I don't know what You're doing
But I know what You've done
I'm fighting a battle
You've already won
There's mercy in the waiting
Mana for today
And when it's gone, I know You're not
You are my hope and stay
When the sea is raging
Your Spirit is my help
He'll fix my eyes on Jesus Christ
And I'll say that it is well
Oh, I know that it is well
This song is based on the experiences of the Israelites in Exodus, facing the Red Sea and wandering the desert. We know these words are true for us in this season and for the people God has placed on our hearts to serve. We are so ready to step into this new capacity of ministry and feel the frustration of waiting. Yet we also know that all of life is in His hands and His timing, and we can trust Him with every detail. No matter the battle, whether in our own lives or in the lives of others who are hurting and searching, He has already won (Exodus 14:14).
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