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The Turner Ministry Tribune






 
Dear <<First Name>>,

We write this to you from West Linn, Oregon where we are enjoying our time while staying with Maria's family. It has been such a gift to have them host us and open up their home for this year. We have been in the PNW for a month now and have focused on spending quality time with both of our families. We are loving it!

The school year ended quicker than we expected! It was a bittersweet time to see another incredible group of seniors graduate. 


Before we share some photos from the past couple months, we want to share our current plan with those of you who we haven't shared with yet:
We will be taking a home ministry assignment this next year!

What is a HMA year? 
Also known as a furlough year, or totalization, we are taking a year to be stateside for both legal and emotional reasons. Legally, it is a requirement for international workers to keep social security status in the US. Since this is our 5th year in Germany, we are due for totalization. Emotionally, we would like to be near our family and reconnect with our supporters and church before continuing international ministry.
 
What are our plans this next year?
Starting July, we will be in the states for one year. We will be staying around Portland/Vancouver, connecting with our family, our ministry partners, our church, and friends! We will be investing in learning more of the German language and helping BFA Athletics from afar. It will be a full year!

What are our plans after that?
Throughout this past year, we have sought wisdom and prayed fervently for direction moving forward. We realized we either needed to extend our ministry or return to the US and live there indefinitely. However, God led us in a direction that we did not expect, which is to move to the US for one year then return to BFA. We are both excited, and surprised to continue the ministry God first called us to 5 years ago: serving missionary families across the globe, serving their kids through education. Yet, this has has been one of the hardest decisions we have had to make, and has taken many months to process.

As I'm sure you are well aware, following Christ requires sacrifices that take us off-guard, and even make our hearts do a flip sometimes. However, God is so patient, so gentle, and has been SO kind. He has given us complete marital unity in this decision, and even the family's support.

"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:5-6

We can't wait to see many of you during our Home Assignment year in the PNW! 

Spring season and injury update
Spring was a beautiful and full season. We were able to coach a big team of 50 track and field athletes while having some sweet and hard times in between. 
We took 16 athletes to DoDEA Track and Field Championships in May! They represented Christ and BFA so well. We will miss coaching them this coming year! 
Caleb's parents came to visit us during spring break. We had the opportunity to visit Slovenia and Croatia during this time! 
Margot spilled a mug of hot tea on herself and suffered 1st and 2nd degree burns in April. Her and Maria were in the hospital for 4.5 days as she was assessed and treated. 
By God's good graces, she continues to heal up and is as happy as can be. We are so incredibly thankful for knowledgable doctors, good health insurance, and supportive friends. 
Maria celebrates six senior students (one not pictured) graduate! One will be going to study in Germany, another at Lipscomb University, another in the UK, another at California Baptist, and two of them will be going to George Fox University to study where Maria and Caleb went! :)
Goings and comings
Leaving a place that you have invested so much of your heart and time will never be easy. Even still, we are so thankful to be welcomed back to USA with open arms from our family and friends! We are constantly reminded that our true home is in Christ and our future hope of heaven. We love our people on both sides of the world! 
Restorative summer
After returning to Oregon and Washington for the summer, we have been focusing a lot of our time on reconnecting with family. We have been blessed to live with Maria's parents and are enjoying the country lifestyle with them! We took a week in July to reconnect at the Coast with 35 of Caleb's dads side of the family. What a special time to be with many relatives we have not seen for over 10 years! 
Praises and Prayers...
Praise God for guiding us through five life-giving years of service with Black Forest Academy 
 
Praise God for the continued healing of Margot's burn and the incredible support we received from friends and hospital workers
 
Praise God for the peace He has provided throughout our transition to the US, and the care we've received from our families

Praise God for Maria's parents generously opening up their home and hosting us for as long as we need this year
 
Praise God for allowing our first month here to be filled with sweet reconnection to 47 of our family members

Praise God that we have found a reliable vehicle for this year! It will serve our needs every time we are back in the area. 
Pray with us for this year stateside, that it would be a fruitful year and that we could be an encouragement to whoever God places in our path

Pray with us for continued growth in speaking truth and love, for humble and open hearts, and to have wisdom in fostering the relationships God's given us
We think about you often during these weeks as we spend resting. You have been an integral part of our journey to and from Germany. Thank you for your support of us and of so many missionary families serving Christ! 










 
All of our love, 

Caleb, Mari
a, and Margaret
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