Our family has landed in North America! We arrived in mid-January just in time for grandbabies #3 and #4. We then made our way north to Canada. We had rented the house next door to my parents from Feb-April, however upon arriving it became apparent that due to some delayed repairs on the place, we wouldn’t be moving in anytime soon. As I type, we’re actually unsure about our next steps. Our family has been living out of suitcases for the past month. I long for the blessings of a sock drawer!
My mom is doing well, all things considered with her cancer battle. She’s been on some heavy medications that buy time, but decrease energy and are hard on her. We know God led us back here to love and serve my parents as best we can in this season, but we didn’t plan to move in with them – so, we are praying!
Claire and Abigail are now enrolled in the local catholic school. The teachers and staff were exceedingly accommodating and after two days, the girls are enjoying it. They are, however, quite behind. Abigail’s first class was.. French! Claire, although untested, has a unique learning disability when it comes to reading, so we’re hoping God provides the resources to learn more about her challenge ahead. As for Noah, we’ve signed him up for a GED program in Pennsylvania, starting in March so his plan is to move in with his brothers, get his Driver’s License, a part time job and enter this course to finish high school this summer sometime. Noah, who lives and breathes classical music, has applied to a summer classical arts program in Canada which lasts about 3 weeks, and looks like a dream opportunity for him. We’re praying he gets accepted.. but the standards are quite high. I’m attaching a little video we had to take to show the school his level below, if you’d like to take a listen and pray for him!!
Deb is quite busy with her Chaplaincy course, which she will complete, Lord willing, this fall. I am trying to organize some things for my parents, including organizing their bills and utilities. I am on break from doctoral studies until the end of March, but continue to organize interviews with Ukrainian, Russian and Belorussian believers as part of field research. I had thought I had a pretty neat job lined up locally with a ministry, but in the end I wasn’t the best fit. I have another opportunity that I’ve applied for, had a Zoom interview and now wait for a potential in-person visit. There’s a lot up in the air right now, and we really appreciate prayer!
It’s been really great to see all of our kids, except for Clark who is living in Texas. We hope to organize a trip to Longview and see him, and many of our long-time friends this Spring as well. We don’t feel, however, that it’s time to plan much of anything besides remain present, and allow the Lord’s direction and help. We have a deep peace, despite now knowing what we’re doing!
As for the ministries in Ukraine and Romania, we thank everyone who continues to support our friends and ministries there! It means so much to us to be able to pause our active involvement there and know God is caring for these investments and the people who lead them. Pray for Elsa and the team as they watch God bless and move through Lighthouse in Romania! Pray for our widow’s ministry in Ukraine as Natasha and our local volunteers there visit and love on the elderly this winter. Through your giving, we are able to keep sending monthly care packages to the most vulnerable. Pray for Dima and Lena, for our properties in Ukraine, and for this war to end soon.
We’ll be speaking at some churches, and exploring what opportunities God brings to us in this coming month. I’m grateful that our charity, Mir Ministries, is now also serving in Asia and partnering with more ministries. I see a potential mission network emerging and say “yes” to the Spirit if this is Jesus’ will. Yet, I’m also at peace to take my hands off the mission wheel for this season, knowing that it’s the power of the Spirit that enables all eternal, and sustainable activity in the first place.
Thank you, friends! Blessings on your family’s gratitude for all who continue partnering with us in Eastern Europe!