During our travels around
America over the past 4 months, and especially during our Debriefing and
Renewal at Mission Training International in Colorado Springs, we have had
several mentors strongly advise us to take a Sabbatical in 2015. We heard several stories of long-term missionaries
who returned to their home country and jumped immediately back into life, only
to "crash and burn" a short while later. Daneen experienced some of this when she returned
from Uganda a few years ago.
As we transition to life
in America and what God has next for us, we believe it is important to step
back from ministry for at least 3 months to Rest, Recover, Reflect and
Refocus. Teachers have a summer break,
coaches have an off-season and missionaries have furloughs. Even though Joe has
been teaching and coaching as a missionary in Kenya for the past 11 years, he
has never had any extended time off. School
breaks were filled with hosting CGA secondary students returning from their
boarding schools and Suba Laker soccer activities. Furloughs, often only 3 months long, were
always filled with travelling, speaking and working.
Like most people, we have
a difficult time being still before God in the race of life. God’s Word
instructs us to, “Run in such a way that
you may win the race.” (1 Cor 9:24) Yet, too often we forget we need to
slow down to refuel and replenish. As
Jesus often withdrew to spend time with His Father and be refilled, we also are
in a season where we feel it is vital to withdraw and be renewed in our vision,
calling and purpose.
WHAT IS A SABBATICAL?
When we use the word
“Sabbatical” we are not talking about a vacation, but rather the disengaging
from normal ministry and leadership involvement for a period of time. This will
be a structured, supervised time to intentionally replenish and regroup for our
future.
The first phase is Rest
and Recover. After returning from our service in Kenya, we have just finished 4
months of speaking and traveling (in a new city every week). We’re honestly a
bit tired and worn! We will be engaging in activities that will restore us
emotionally and feed us spiritually; doing what puts energy back in our tired
minds and bodies. Things like: reading (leisure and Scripture), being part of a
church community, regular exercise (playing basketball for Joe), eating healthy
(relearning how to cook in America), fun activities (enjoying Colorado’s beauty,
snowshoeing, skiing/snowboarding), connecting with friends and resting!
The second phase is Reflect
and Refocus. We will be asking God the
question, “Is there anything you want to say to me?” We will spend extended alone time with God
reflecting and learning more about God and ourselves. We will listen for God’s
voice regarding direction for the future.
The final phase is Realignment
and Reassignment. We will review and
discern our calling, vision and purpose.
This will help us in seeking God's best fit for us in life, ministry and
vocation.
During our Sabbatical we
will meet regularly with a Sabbatical Support Group to help encourage us, hold
us accountable and advise us. We are excited about what God is going to do
during this season of our life.
We are grateful that
during this time God has provided for us a place to stay, a vehicle to drive
and health insurance, so we won’t have many expenses except food, gas and an
occasional fun activity. We have savings
set aside which we will be able to use to live on for the first part of this
year. God is surely our great
Provider!
Longmont, Colorado will be our home base during our Sabbatical and until God further directs us.
PRAY WITH US
During this time we need
your help to stand with us in prayer. Pray for God to meet with us, refresh us,
and rekindle our passion for Him and for the Great Commission.
- Ask God to give us a
renewed sense of His calling on our lives as we wait on him.
- Pray for times of
refreshment; spiritually, mentally and physically.
- Pray for Daneen's
ongoing neck and back pain and recent foot issue; for the strength and energy
for each new day.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Several people have asked
about our financial support.
Our full-time commitment
to CGA and Suba Lakers finished at the end of December. Hence, we do not
anticipate supporters continuing to give to us in 2015. We are so grateful for
how God provided for us all of these years.
There is a chance we might continue in full-time ministry in the future,
but at this point we don't know where God is leading us.
We would be grateful if people will continue to support the ministries of Christ's Gift Academy and Suba Lakers
directly. These ministries are near and dear to our heart and we believe they
are making a great impact in Kenya for God's Kingdom. With both organizations, there are many
financial needs which can be supported by general monthly giving or one-time
gifts. There are also students at CGA
and with the Suba Lakers who need sponsors.
If you are interested in any of those opportunities or would like more
information, please contact us or click on the links below:
Thank you to all our faithful and supportive friends and partners!
We're grateful for your love, support and prayers!
Prayed for your ministry and your season of "rest" as you spend time at His feet and some time away from the things that clamour for your attention had you chosen to go straight back to Kenya. I happen across your blog through doing a search on Pinterest of reverse culture shock. Awe the glory of social media! Our family is on its 7th year of work abroad and we are looking forward to our second furlough next year. (which is ironically in part of your neck of the woods - Montana)
ReplyDeleteOnly writing to say that it was a joy to read about your ministry and to pray for what God is doing through your willing vessels!
Gretchen Richards
Thanks for you're message Gretchen. I don't even have a Pinterest account so it's wild that our blog would somehow come up-- but I'm glad you found it and hope it's useful. It was written with a short-term team in mind. Not so much long term missionaries. In case you haven't come across this article, here's a fantastic one that talks about long term missionaries "Coming Home": http://christianstandard.com/2013/11/coming-home-when-missionaries-come-off-the-field/. (Sometimes I have to re-enter this link twice before it comes up.) Thank YOU and your family for your ministry in the Pacific (I managed to find your blog)! I pray you will have a great furlough in MT next year! But until then, find God's blessings in each day on the field!
ReplyDelete