July 2018
We're coming to the U.S. and we want to see you!
After one year in France and two years in Congo, we are coming to the United States for our first U.S. Assignment. We arrive in Seattle on June 25. We want to see you, to share about our work, and to hear about you and what's happening in your life. Though our summer is mostly booked, we will have lots of time in the fall and winter to travel and speak.
U.S. Assignment FAQs
What is U.S. Assignment?
U.S. Assignment is a regular interval when we return to the U.S. and our work is based there. It is time to report back to our partners and organization in the U.S., debrief the last three years, and catch up with family and friends. It is time to raise additional funds for ministry and to further develop our skills. It is time to care for our physical, mental and emotional health. It is time for our children to experience life in the U.S., and learn about American culture. It is time to rest from the stress of cross-cultural living and working. The goal is to return to ministry better equipped for continuing work.
What will you do for a whole year?
A lot! A year seems like a long time, but in reality it's hardly enough. At the same time, it is a long time for a family to spend in a state of transition. Some of the most important activities we'll be doing during our year in the U.S. are:
- Meet with ministry partners (churches, individuals, small groups and families) to share about our ministry and express in person our immense gratitude for their essential partnership
- Spend time intentionally debriefing our time overseas
- Spend time with friends and family, catching up on all that we've missed in the last three years
- Attend classes and workshops for continuing education
- Go to our doctors, dentist, and counselors
- Enrichment activities for our kids
- Rest as a family
In addition to all of these customary tasks associated with a U.S. Assignment, we will be spending our first few months discerning a new location of service for our family. The Pastoral Institute we originally signed on to serve closed while we were on our way to language school, and a new university had sprung up in its place. We originally thought that our service would look very similar despite this change. However, after two academic years, we have concluded that UNIBAC is not structured in a way that would allow us to thrive as we seek to work in ways that match our passions and skill sets. The rigidity of government regulations at the University has moved our vision of innovative pastoral education and discipleship to the background.
We haven’t come to this decision lightly, but only after seeking guidance from other missionaries, our home staff at IM, and missionary counselors. Even after we felt the decision was clear, we spent time in prayer and grief over this change in direction.
We are thankful for all the experiences we have had in Kikongo, as well as the ways our eyes have been opened to the hardships of our neighbors. Our time in Kikongo has helped us to further identify the types of cross-cultural work we would like to be moving towards, as well as the vital importance of ministry that springs out of healthy personal relationships.
We are very excited about some of the possibilities on the table, and we will keep everyone informed as things become more clear. Thank you for your grace and support during this time of uncertainty and transition for our family.
Where will you be?
At this point we are not exactly sure, but we are leaning towards Olympia, Washington, so that Katrina can finish her B.S. degree. We also will be traveling to meet with partners in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, and beyond. More details to come.
What are some things you're looking forward to?
- Spending time with people we love
- Restaurants — mostly sushi
- Foods we have missed: crisp vegetables, apples and cheese
- Hiking trails through evergreen forests
What will you miss about Congo?
- Fioti the cat, Alby the monkey, and duikers Fili and Bella
- The Wamba River
- A relatively simple life
- Friends who risked a lot to be honest with us
- Raising animals — from chickens to crocodiles
- Congolese Greens: saka saka, biteko teko, and matembele
- House calls by the doctor when we were sick
What are you nervous about?
- Driving. I (Kyle) haven’t driven much in the past three years. Specifically, I am nervous about renewing my license, which expired last year. Pray that I don’t need to do the driving part of the test.
- Grocery shopping more than once every few months, and the overwhelming selections available
- Seeing how much we've changed, and how life has gone on without us here
- The fast pace of life in the U.S.
- Major transitions for our family
- Our kids are all nervous about new schools and making new friends
What do you need?
We have some leads on an affordable house to rent — hooray! We still need a vehicle that seats six. If you have a minivan or something similar that you do not need, it could fill a huge need for us. We are also still in need of a table and dining chairs. Also, we would like for you to make time to meet with us, listen to our experiences, and tell us about what has been happening in your corner of the world. Also to ask questions about our lives in Congo, and what God is prompting us to do next. To grant us grace when we say and do strange things. And to pray for us — especially for our children, as transitions like this can be rough.