Our Future

The most common questions we have received during our first 1 ½ months back in America are: 

So what’s next for you? 

Where are you going to live? 

What are you going to do? 

Our answer is: “We really don’t know!”  

We truly have no idea where we are going to live after our traveling and commitment to CGA is finished.  I know that seems strange to most people here in America (and most parts of the world).  Western Culture tells us we all need a 5 & 10 year plan.

As for our 5 Year Plan?
We don't have one!

There is stability and security in knowing what the future holds.  Absolutely. But we are continually reminded from James 4:13-17- “Why, you don’t even know what will happen tomorrow.  What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” 

Both of us had our whole lives figured out before God came in and changed our paths.  Daneen was a successful engineer with a good job in corporate America until God led her to Zambia.  Joe was busy trying to become a big-time college basketball coach before God drew his heart to Kenya.  At this point in our lives, we could easily choose our favorite place to live in America, and then start applying for jobs as an engineer or teacher or in other professions.  It would be easy for us to “build” our lives in America once again.  

But we don’t want to do that!  God clearly called us to Africa and now he has clearly called us home. We are sure that he has a plan for 2015 and beyond. He even has a 5 & 10 year plan for us!  He sees the big picture and he knows the future.  He created us, so, more than anyone else including ourselves, he knows us best- our unique passions, giftings, talents and experiences.  He knows where there are needs and where he can best use us!  We don’t want to limit God to a specific type of job or a certain region.  

We are truly open to whatever God has for us.  More than any other time in my life, I (Joe) am open to any type of job and I am even willing to go back to school to get another degree or get further training in a certain field.  Other ministry or support-raising jobs are definitely a strong possibility, but other “normal” jobs (with a weekly paycheck) are also an option.  We might even have some months of transition next year where we get part-time jobs as a substitute teacher or waiting tables or something else.  Even those kinds of opportunities excite me.  I am truly looking forward with great anticipation on what is next.  

We hope and pray that during our travels over the next 3 months (through the end of 2014), God will clearly show us our next step.  We are dedicating time in prayer about our future, talking with different friends and networks and exploring opportunities as they arise.  

In the past, God has always guided us down the right path, and we are confident that he will do it again!