A New Direction...

"Then"  2009

And "Now" 2013...my how we've grown!

A little over four years ago, the Lord changed our family’s life radically by calling us to do something out of our comfort zone by leading us into missions. Early on in our journey, when the Lord began gripping our hearts, we had no idea where the Lord would lead us or take us. As you all know, God planted us in Prague, Czech Republic , where we have been serving for the last three years. We were amazed to see how God took an ordinary family in the throes of an ordinary, routine life to do something radical, out of the ordinary, and definitely not routine.  We took the leap of faith and jumped off the cliff into the unknown.  Many of you experienced that journey with us as we prepared and prayed about how the Lord would use us in missions.

During our time in Czech Republic we have seen God transform each of us, and use us in big and small ways.  He has given us the gift of seeing several Czechs make personal commitments to follow Christ. He has sent 3 teams to serve with us at English camps, all of which He also used to encourage and bless us and the Czechs were working with. Many of our partnering churches have surprised us and supported us with care packages, encouraging notes and e-mails, and much needed prayer.  You have all been an incredible blessing and encouragement to us!

A little over a year ago, God began stirring in our hearts again and began working through some unusual circumstances to lead us in yet another new direction.  The role that led us to Prague was a support role, working in our European strategy office.  We felt God was telling us to change roles, seek out lost businessmen and transition from a support role to a full time church planting role.  Once again, we began praying and seeking other positions within the Mission Board that would allow us to do this. God, in His still quiet voice has been leading us down a very long and winding path, closing doors and opportunities that have apparently not been the direction He has chosen for our family. It was as if there was this big funnel that He was slowly leading and pushing us in, leading us in a direction we didn’t always understand, but one that we have chosen to trust Him with.   

We have been back in the States since September for our 6 month Stateside Assignment (furlough for those of you more familiar with that term).  During our time in the States, God has made it clear to us in several ways that for this season of life we need to remain in the States.  Rather than resign with the Mission Board, removing all chances of returning overseas with them, we have opted to take a Leave of Absence, which leaves the door open for us to more easily return with the Mission Board should we feel God calling us back overseas within the next couple of years.  We will be staying in the Kansas City area during this time. We don’t know if our time here is going to be for a few months or a few years, but we do know that God is not done with us in overseas missions.  Should we not feel God’s leading to return overseas during our Leave of Absence time, then we will move into a “reserve” status with the Mission Board.  This will make it easier for us to transition back into service with them several years down the road from now, should the Lord move us in that direction again. 

As you can see, our hearts remain overseas with the lost, and we’re just not ready to shut that door completely and walk away from the people that have become so dear to us.  But God has a different plan for us right now that we are choosing to trust and obey. 

With all of this said, please know that we plan to continue serving overseas through short-term mission trips to the English camps we have been a part of in Czech Republic, as well as wherever else God chooses to send us to.  We are unable to attend camps this summer, however, hope to be forming more teams to join us for camps in 2014, so please be praying and asking God if He wants to use you in this very special ministry with us.

We are so grateful to you and how you have walked this journey with our family through your prayers and support. We appreciate each of you and the love you have shown us these last few years. We would like to ask you for your continued prayers as we make yet another transition and readjust/settle back into the K.C area for this next phase in our family’s life.

If you are in the Kansas City area, we would love to share with you over coffee, lunch or dinner about missions and our experiences overseas, and how you might be able to get involved with overseas missions.

We love you all and thank you,

Clem, Carrie, Hunter and Allie