Announcement

Tuesday night we made an announcement to the director of the mission. This announcement has been a heavy weight on our shoulders for a few months. It wasn't until about a week ago that I started realizing the direction that I will take my family.

I got together with Pastor Rob to tell him that after the adoption is complete we will be moving back to the States. The reason for this is primarily because we want to focus on our Biblical priorities of God first, spouse second, and family/children third. And the season that God has given us right now is a season of "family" with our kids - including the adoption of Lou. Whatever vocation we have (in our case it is missionary work) comes fourth. The amount of time and mental energy that is required on the mission field does not allow for quantity of time with family (my experience has shown that you can only get enough quality time with quantity time).

The added necessary effort that Lou will require because of his Down syndrome will take more time. Being in Haiti complicates things greatly. Other people may be able to handle all of these things, but I have made the decision to err on the side of having more time and energy available for family than not enough - I don't want to wait until it's too late. When I die and God asks me what I have done with what he has made me responsible for, I want to be able to answer that I have put almost everything into my top priorities - at least have them managed well and prioritized.

I always have some sort of disclosure because I am not perfect in my decision making. In this case, I am making plans to go to the State and will willingly allow God to direct my steps.

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9

If God doesn't want us to go, he'll do what he knows is best and I trust in that. I pray that whatever direction God points us in, that we willingly accept his steps.

We have no place to go back to in Minnesota, so we'll be looking to buy a place (we have three offers of places to stay if we need them - and we'll most likely take one of them up on their offer). I have no job to go back to, so I've been looking for something that fits my skills. If anyone has any leads for me, drop me a line.

The adoption process could take another 2-4 months (if the Lord wants us here longer...it will be longer and so be it). When we know we are close, we'll schedule flights and make our way back.

We will be leaving significant parts of ourselves here in Haiti at the Baptist Haiti Mission. It will not be easy on the day we leave.