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<<Salutation>>
“What was that all about?” That’s the question Alie and I were asking God in 1993 when we found ourselves back from Uganda less than three years after we went. We had planned to be there for 15-20 years translating the New Testament into Lubwisi. Instead, we were back in the US starting a regimen of therapies to address Susan’s newly diagnosed developmental delays.
Eventually, I realized that God was calling me to help translators and other missionaries prepare to go overseas and to be healthy and effective so they could stay for the long haul if He led. “That” time in Uganda had been important experience for my longer-term calling.
For the 22+ years since then, I’ve been privileged to serve with several training and come-alongside — paraclete — mission agencies. Paying attention to calling, opportunity, personal desires, and our family needs (including disability) has had its ups and downs. A major ministry focus for me has been missionaries in transition, often those returning from overseas. Our own experiences with transition provide lots of empathy!
 During my Sabbatical, Alie and I considered our next season of life and ministry. Through reflection and conversations with our own paracletes, we have decided to accept an invitation to serve with Paraclete Mission Group. Paraclete exists to come alongside missions and missionaries in ways that I love to serve. While still available to Navigators missionaries, I’ll be free to respond to needs and opportunities in the wider missions community.
Recently, a local counselor asked if I would meet with a missionary couple who have a child with special needs. I met with them for several hours over coffee to consider how their son’s needs fit with their desire to serve in a difficult place. I was free to counsel them at a critical time, in an informal setting that was just right. If I’d needed to meet with them in an office and charge for my time, we probably would not have met. Because of our support team, I was free to make this important “house call.”
Would you please prayerfully consider enabling more “house calls,” moving with us from The Navigators to Paraclete, or newly joining our team now? I’ve already had a number of requests I’m eager to accept. Thank you! Find details about how to give through Paraclete below.
Alie and I are so grateful for our team of friends and supporters who have come alongside us in our journey. Some have been with us for all our married life (30 years on 5/31!), and some for 5 years before that when Alie was on InterVarsity staff. Wow!
Many thanks for your part in our life and ministry,
Rich and Alie
PS For various reasons, we’ve decided I’ll go without Alie to take part in the Lubwisi New Testament dedication in Uganda in July. I’ll be representing many of you who invested in this translation, celebrating with our Babwisi brethren.
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