Big changes ahead

I have two big pieces of news to share with you. First, we are surprised but grateful to share with you that Katie is pregnant! We are tickled pink (or maybe blue?) about this wonderful gift from God. The girls are so excited! Savannah is hoping for twin brothers, AJ is excited as long as she doesn’t have to share her room and Chloe is very clear that she wants triplets. I don’t know where the girls are getting the idea about multiples but one surprise baby is enough for me! Katie is feeling morning sickness all day and night and is pretty tired. She takes this as a hopeful sign that all is well with the baby who is due in early January.  Katie has always longed for more children while I have been more than content with our three beautiful little girls.  With the Lord giving us this baby, we are both as excited as can be which has been a real surprise for me as the idea ofanother baby always coincided with things like work, exhaustion, expensive and little time with my wife. Now the Lord has changed my heart and this baby symbolizes hope, a new chapter, a rich life and more love to fill our home. This baby isprecious to us and we feel like God is speaking to us loud and clear about what this means for our future. 

While ministry in Africa has been beyond our wildest dreams, daily life for our family has been difficult. Katie and the girls are isolated, stressed, and unhappy though they gladly do so for Christ’s sake. As husband and father I have been concerned for many months about the emotional health of my family. I have been earnestly and desperately seeking God’s will for my most important ministry, my wife and kids. Katie has permitted me to share with you that her stress levels have been especially alarming. Before we knew God was going to bless us with a baby we even then questioned where to draw the line for the health of our family. And now being pregnant we see clearly that we cannot stay overseas. I feel the Holy Spirit has been showing me over the past 2 years that a life of overseas missions is not for my family. In faith, Katie and I have decided to choose wisdom that our family is our first ministry and we must protect it. We have decided to move back home this coming July.

The Lord has given us peace about returning home to have this baby and to regain some sense of daily living that allows us to thrive. I will not move my family to yet another new place so we will plant in Crystal Lake, Illinois where we lived before moving overseas.  I've been in touch with leadership in Orlando and they have assured me of their help in finding a ministry in the Chicagoland area. We ask that you pray with us for God’s direction as I am also open to going back into surgical nursing. 

To say we have mixed emotions is an understatement. We stepped out in faith almost 3 years ago willing to serve overseas for a lifetime.  We are disappointed to leave overseas missions but we are grateful for the many lives God has changed during our time abroad. The thought of getting our family to a healthy place and to be able to really enjoy the gift of this new little one gives us the strength to move forward.

We are excited to serve in the U.S. in whatever capacity the Lord chooses. We have seen Asians and Africans longing for the hope and love of Jesus and coming to Christ by the dozens. In America, we see the deep need for Christ to capture the hearts of a country who once believed we were one nation under God and we are excited to be a part of that again.

We will never be able to thank you enough for your eternal investment, but we are certain heaven will reveal the glorious riches of souls harvested for eternity because of your generosity and faithfulness, often at great cost and sacrifice. We will terribly miss ministry in Africa but we are hopeful and determined to continue reaching the poor and needy in our community and in Chicago.  The joy of serving the less fortunate, ministering to body, soul and mind, has been a joy inexpressible and we won't stop seeking opportunities to do so regardless of our geographic location or vocation.

Thanks again for all of your support.  You have helped us in so many ways to stay strong and make it through many difficult days as well as rejoice with us in the mighty things God has done through our partnership together. If you have any questions or concerns I am more than happy to hear from you. Our usual prayer letter will be sent out next week.

To God be the glory,

(for Katie and the girls)