Vacation. Our family doesn't always get the vacation which we want or need. Sometimes it's because we have things to do on the weekends, often times it's because we live in an area where people come to vacation, so going out for a day or two here and there is quite enough. A few times we welcomed interns, great experience but perhaps not ideal for vacation.
A lot of times vacation is tied into "work". We might be visiting friends, or a church, or friends who need the visit. There have been a few exceptions to this - I can think of 3 or 4 times when we cut off and left.
That's happening this week. Doesn't matter where we are going, but my cell phone company said, "we don't have a plan to cover that place and your phone probably won't work."
It'll be a good week. Will everything go right? Probably not. Will something go wrong? Maybe not! We'll be off discovering something as a family and that is all that matters.
And then what?
The big news that we want to share with you is that we will be moving in the summer of 2023 (July or August) to a new church planting work here in France.
The church here in Descartes is as fragile as it was, and if we "waited" until the right time to leave, honestly, it would never even get here. Please pray that someone will come to the Sud Touraine to help our churches. Pray that someone will feel called to give some time to these young ladies (I mean the churches). Pray also that the locals will rise up and take over some of the responsibilities.
We'll be moving to Brittany, the the city of Fougères to be a part of a church planting team planting in a city of 20,000 (80,000 with the suburbs) to plant in a place which currently has 1 protestant church of any type. For this work, which we are "planning" to give 7-10 years to, will be a pioneering work like Descartes, going to places where the Gospel is perhaps widely known but little understood. I (Greg) won't be the lead planter on this project. That will go to a French couple who asked us to join them.
They have a lot of experience in this type of church planting and believe in some core principles which are very important for us as well- impactful decisions, methods full of grace, relationships over mass production.
Our first year or two in Fougères will most likely include some distance leading with the church in Descartes (and Loches). We might come back down every month or two to help out. The rest of the time will be spend praying, meeting people, understanding where we are and what the area needs the most.
I (Greg) will also continue to work to structure a missionary support platform for Kontaktmission called KMTogether. This is a new way for our organisation to help every missionary attached to KM International grow together and grow towards Jesus. We've already launched a KMTogether for Women workers, and hope to launch one for spiritual health in the coming months (that's great because I really need it!)
Your support at this time, financially and prayer focused, is incredibly important to us. This is another huge task and for the moment, we remain 100% financed by you, the supporter. We understood that France was a long term commitment, and many of you did as well, so as we continue on, it is very important for you to know that your gifts matter. Moving has a cost, the new city will mean most likely private school for Ophelia (which is very much cheaper than what you might be thinking, but still is a cost).
God has always found a way to fill the gaps when we needed them. A new donor here, a one time gift there. You have been a foundation of friendship built on faith in God. Please understand this and continue on as we will.
Our goal is to set up an online meeting, probably between late August - early September, to discuss with as many of you as possible what all of this means and how you are helping.
Thank you for your continued support. We are truly grateful for all that you allow God to do through you.
Greg