12 January 2012

In Case You Haven't Heard...

We've had a few changes in our lives, and I'm pretty sure that most of our friends and family have heard the news, but just in case you're interested and you haven't heard the news, here it is:

We're not pregnant, if that's what you're thinking.  Here's what it really is:

After many long talks to God and each other and seeking counsel, Thomas and I have decided that we need to have Isaiah in the States more than in Russia in order for him to have the care that he needs.  We will continue ministry in Russia, living there during the summer.  That's the short of it, but if you want more details, you can keep reading a little bit...

Isaiah receives amazing physical therapy here in MS.  We have searched and searched in St. Petersburg, Russia, a city of 5 million people, and we have not been able to find anything close to the therapy that Isaiah gets here.  Every time we would be in Russia for more than 3 months, we would see his physical development stagnate and even regress in some areas.  His braces would not fit well, his body would start twisting in new directions, his legs would get tighter, etc.  I was simply not equipped to take care of those needs without the help of therapists and orthotists and surgeons.

Isaiah and Nadia are our first mission field.  God has given them directly to us, and we want to care for them body and soul as we follow the calling that God has given us.  God has given us a really good option to meet the physical and developmental needs of our son and still be involved in the ministry in Russia, and we are very excited!

Our mission agency InterAct Ministries offered Thomas some additional responsibilities involving fundraising, recruitment, and videography.  I say "additional" because he will continue to be the director of the work for InterAct in Russia.  As a family we will be moving to the Portland, OR area for Thomas to be able to work from the home office in Boring, OR (yes, that's right) for 9 months every year.  We will then travel to Russia for 3 months during the summer to continue different ministries there.

The move to OR is scheduled for Fall 2012 after our return from Russia this summer.

We are very thankful that we have not had to say "goodbye" to Russia.  We still love the country and her people.

This new aspect of our ministry will still require us to raise our support for salary and travel and all that good jazz.  Thankfully our current supporters have been, well, supportive, in our decision.  We are always looking for other people to partner with us in prayer and in financial giving.  If you would like to learn more about how to do that, please visit Hope To Russia, the site that Thomas has been working on to keep all our ministry developments in one place.

And that's why I've changed the blog name, again.

3 comments:

Megan said...

Praying that you will be fully present. . .wherever you are. And that you will feel the presence of our God who is always everywhere.

Toni said...

Praising God that He sent your children to parents who recognize that they indeed are your first mission field. Praying for you as you step out in faith, and continue to seek how He would have you serve Him with your lives!

CristyLynn said...

Thanks, friends, for the encouragement and especially for the prayers!