My Hope

  It's been surreal being back in Clarkston for a season.  We'd expected to visit while we were stateside but not stay.   It's an understatement to say that I don't think 2020 is falling into place like any of us expected, but I know none of this comes as a surprise for the One who goes before us.  I don't know what He has in store for us next but already I'm so thankful He has us in this place for the moment.   Tommy has really enjoyed being back in the classroom again and I've loved serving in the community.  I've been able to reconnect to friends from Syria and Iraq (I stayed in contact with them while in Lebanon but it's been different sitting down and having long conversations... in Arabic!). I wasn't sure how clear my accent is because the people around us while we've been learning know what words we know and don't know (just like a mother can often converse with her child but has to translate for strangers) so I was really excited...

shared by Tommy  I have been thinking about how best to explain how we have reached our decision for ministry for the rest of 2020.  We have had a great time reconnecting with family and friends these past couple of months.  It has given us time to draw closer as a family and closer to the Lord. When we left Lebanon there was a lot of tension growing within the population.  There has been uncertainty within the financial markets, political agendas, and basic services like power, cell phones, and even food. Rebekah and I were on our first date since getting back and as we were sitting at Lake Ella, our phone started dinging.  This was when we saw the first images coming out of Beirut with the explosion at the port.  Then two weeks ago it was announced that the prime minister that had just risen to power was resigning due to issues working with Hezbollah. All of this had us questioning where God wanted us to serve in this next season.  After talking to o...