Greetings from Canada! Tim and I want to invite you along on our journey to love on those serving around the world. We have felt the Holy Spirit leading us to live our “retirement” with a purpose for the kingdom of Christ Jesus. As many of you know we spent a year in Kenya and it was life changing for us in many ways; we were emptied of ourselves and wholly dependent on receiving our daily bread from the Lord: whether it was funds for servicing the generator on the compound we lived, strength to do one more day in an unfamiliar culture or learning a new language. “It was the best of times, and it was the worst of times”.
We understand the day to day struggles of Global Workers. Many people view them as a “super Christian” or someone who does not need anyone but the Lord. While it is true, Christ is the source of our daily bread, we also as humans are called to be in community/fellowship with others. Living in another culture can be isolating, lonely and depressing even when you are called to do the work of the LORD. Often it is difficult or seen as a weakness to express your frustrations to your sending church or organization. This leaves workers wearing a mask and projecting that everything is “fine”, when they are struggling.
When we left NWA in May, we thought we could meet up and pray for workers around the globe, cook a meal for them and listen to their story. We fully intend to do each of these things but we see there is a greater need also. A need to listen, pray, comfort, provide rest and help the Workers return to the field renewed.
As we have prayed through how to serve as we travel, we realize we need to have some training. Training in how to care for Global Workers whether it is debriefing their time on the field, possibly coaching them on support raising or managing their ministry, even encouraging them to enrich their marriage.
In addition to pursuing training, we are feeling led to go to France and set up a homebase to serve Global Workers, a place of rest, respite and Sabbath.
Why France? Truly this is the LORD! We have both always been drawn to France and many years ago we were even pursuing a missions job in France. Tim and I have both traveled to Paris many times and while we do not speak the language, we are hearing the call to go. Language training will be added to our list of things to do and something you can pray for 😊.
We would like for you to join us in praying for Workers around the world. Pray for friendships, funding, people of peace, health both physical and mental, hope, encouragement and fellowship. Would you also pray for Tim, Nathan and I as we work towards obtaining long stay visas, start on language learning and seek out the region where the LORD desires for us to live.
We probably have more questions than answers right now! If you would like to join us as Prayer Partners, please visit the Support our Work page and sign up.
What is a Global Worker? A person who goes to another culture to share the Gospel message. They could go to a different country or even serve a different culture within their own country.
Did you know that 60% of Global Workers leave the field in the first 5 years of service due to potentially preventable causes (Source ReMAP1)?
