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We loved exploring the Chattanooga area!
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In January 2020, we thought we had the whole next year mapped out: We'd sell our house (check), drive out of Alaska (check), spend the summer months visiting family (well...) and begin our language school in-person in France in September (wait, what?). But like everyone else around the world, those plans didn't come to fruition.
When we got married in 2014, we began writing "Imaginings" every January, based on Ephesians 3:20 - "God is able to do abundantly more than all we can ask or imagine, according to His power at work within us." We make a list of things we want to see God accomplish that year and prayerfully wait to see what He does. But we'll be honest - it's hard to see the "abundantly more" when the whole year feels like a dumpster fire.
And yet, we see glimpses of how God's-Plan-But-Not-Ours have been for our good and His glory.
For example, when we moved to Tennessee in October, we prayed that God would provide a church that we could call "home" and friends who would embrace us. And He did abundantly more than that. We found a church in nearby north Georgia that we instantly connected with. We were invited to several Life Group events and a group of strangers lovingly and generously welcomed us into their fold. At the same time and at the same church, Melissa reconnected with a friend from a 2008 mission trip to South Africa. We also reignited a 15-year-old friendship with a friend of Melissa's from high school who lives with her family just a couple hours away.
We prayed for community in Tennessee, knowing it would be a hard transition away from life in Oregon, we would be learning a new language, and we would feel lonely... and God gave us so much more than we imagined.
Simultaneously, we were praying about language school options for January. Since borders are closed, we aren't able to obtain the visas we need to begin in-person classes. However, we learned that a school in Quebec, Canada (Parole de Vie) was offering online courses for students at all levels of French learning. The school reached out to us to discuss our language learning options and we decided to begin courses with them online in January. We intend to transition to in-person learning as soon as we can obtain our visas (yay, COVID-19!). We don't expect that to be until summer 2021 at the earliest.
After much prayer, fasting, late-night conversations, and seeking wise counsel, we decided to return to Tennessee in January and begin our classes online from there. Tennessee is more closely aligned with Quebec's time zone than Oregon, meaning we won't have to start our classes at 4:30am everyday. Our classes will be staggered, meaning we won't have the additional expense for daily childcare. We will have more reliable Internet access than in Oregon and will be able to continue investing in the new relationships God has given us there.
We realize this is a big departure from our previous plans. We're still adjusting, too! We're once again reminded of Proverbs 16:9 - "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps." Our family is still aiming for Togo and we are thankful that God is determining our steps to get there one at a time.
If you have any questions, concerns, or want to share in our excitement, please reach out! We'd love to hear from you. You can simply reply to this email and we can schedule a time to chat.
Thanks for walking through this journey with us; we praise God for each of you.
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In November we...
- Completed our 7-week French course in Tennessee.
- Reconnected with Shelly, a friend of Melissa's from a mission trip to South Africa 12 years ago, and met her husband, Justin. We enjoyed a couple of fun meals and our kids loved playing together in Tennessee.
- Hugged Ms. Madelyn (our favorite Tennessee babysitter) every chance we got.
- Spent as much time as possible with the Gurley family. This picture was taken after we shared at their church in Knoxville, TN one Sunday.
- Packed (again) and moved (again). Ruth's expression in the background just about sums up our feelings on the matter! We're all ready to be settled somewhere long(er) term again.
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We enjoyed a beautiful fall in Chattanooga, Tennessee - the leaves changed color in mid-October and stayed beautiful through our entire time there.
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Here's how you can be praying for us in December:
- To be disciplined in continuing French studies. Our French 101 course is complete and we learned a lot... but now we desire to continue progressing before formal studies start online in January.
- For housing in Tennessee. We know God is leading us to return to Tennessee, but as of the time of this writing, we don't have a long-term solution for housing. Pray that God will provide the right home at the right time. (And thank you to the Gurley family for agreeing to have us as housemates in the interim!)
- For safe travels and smooth transitions. Alabama to Oregon to Tennessee... pray God will protect and guide us in every way.
- For spiritual growth. Pray that God will continue to grow and stretch us. Pray, too for Ruth, Clara, and Hudson's salvation.
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Coming Up
We are spending the first half of December in AL before traveling back to OR for Christmas. In early January, we'll load up our Jeep and drive back to TN where we are planting ourselves to begin online language classes on January 11, 2021 through Parole de Vie, a school in Quebec, Canada.
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Ministry Update
Our primary focus right now is two-fold: learning French (so that we can communicate the Gospel effectively in the future) and ministering to our kids (so that they will be burdened to share the Gospel themselves). Our kids have faced so many changes and adjustments this year and we are trying to guide them well.
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Togo Central Team
The end of 2020 is in sight... hallelujah! As you prayerfully consider any year-end giving, consider browsing the missionaries serving in Togo and the various projects that are in the works there. Here's a link that allows you to give directly to missionaries and projects as the Lord leads.
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We are fully funded! Any new partners and partnering churches will now directly increase our ministry budget on the field. Any additional one-time gifts we receive will go towards extra language school or vehicle costs. Thank you, partners and thank You, God!!
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