A year ago, while on our survey trips in Tanzania, we used to joke about how we’d be in such a hurry to wait. We would rush from one place to another, knowing that if we missed our ride or our appointment with a local leader, we might not get another chance that day. We’d do our best to make it to the bus, or the boat, or whatever form of transportation we found, and then we’d sit around and wait for it to leave, sometimes for hours. Other times we would catch it just right and make it to our destination in good time, only to find that the people we needed to talk to had some other meetings and wouldn’t be available until the next day. We soon learned to expect the unexpected, to go from plan A to plan B to plan C, and to be okay with waiting while at the same time always being ready to go.
Now, here in the States, we find ourselves in a similar situation. We’ve made this our home again and we’ve greatly enjoyed getting to know different people from our church better, yet there’s still a part of us in Tanzania, ready to go back. Right now, we’re looking to go back June 2, although we’re still working through the visa process. We’re discussing a few different possibilities with our leadership, each of which could effect which people group or village we end up working with. If we don’t have a visa by that time, we’re still hoping to go back on a temporary visa and see what we can do over there. Whatever the case, we want to be ready should God open the door.
Meanwhile, God is teaching us patience again. It’s easy for us to live our lives always looking for what’s next, all the while failing to make the most of where God has us today. Our tendency is to keep ourselves busy, to always be doing something in order to validate our worth. If we’re not doing anything, we feel worthless. God is showing us that the things we need to be doing aren’t always the things we think we should be doing, and that our worth really comes from being a part of his family. We’re learning to spend more time with him in prayer, and more time studying his Word. As we enjoy him, we trust that he’ll use us as he sees fit.
Back in Tanzania, the survey team has finished doing the people group assessment. They visited somewhere around 25 people groups, and as a mission we now have a better idea of where the greatest needs are and the challenges these places pose. I’ve been able to keep up a little bit with what’s going on with this, as I’ve been translating some of their reports into English. I’m thankful for the opportunity it’s given me to keep up a little bit more with Swahili, and its been a challenge to me to keep praying for the people groups of Tanzania.
Here in Idaho, the snow continues to fall. Micah is attending a charter school a short distance from our house this semester, and Rachelle is learning how to sew as well as crochet. I’m still doing some construction part time, as well as some snow removal. We’re grateful and humbled by many of your continued support and generosity. Thank you for continuing to pray for us as we wait on God’s timing. Pray that God would give both us and our leadership wisdom and insight into the best way to legally be in the country, while still being able to do the work he’s put on our hearts to do. Pray for our family that we would use this time to grow stronger together and in our walk with God.
