Three years in Poland!

Four months ago, we were both exhausted from one of the most challenging years we’ve experienced together, and we had an expanse of uninterrupted travel ahead of us. We both desperately needed a break, and amidst our hectic schedule this summer, we found some time to rest.

Part of that was much needed time with family and friends, and part of it was a few very encouraging moments for us in our work.

Arizona

One of our first stops in the US was in Arizona. If you haven’t met our boss Dennis and his wife Amanda (our region’s Third Culture Kid Advocate), the thing they do best is care for people well. We had a week there to rest and work through some things, and we were able to catch our breath a little, gathering some strength to keep moving forward. We value that care, and we are so grateful to be part of a team and an organization that emphasizes it.

Texas

Some time (and lots of Tex-Mex) with the Hanson family in Texas

New York

We had lots of time with Heather’s family, my mom, and partners in Western New York (and a bit of Canada and PA).

Indiana

In Indiana, we met up with some partners and old friends before a week of leadership meetings with Converge IM. In addition to going through some practical hand-on training, we discussed what it looks like to be a healthy leader by prioritizing our personal relationship with God and recognizing our role as stewards of the people and responsibilities He has given us. It was a good opportunity to talk and learn alongside some of the leaders in and outside of our region.

Illinois

During our time in the Chicago area, Heather and I decided to do an experiment. Rather than just giving a typical presentation at our sending church, we decided to ask several of the staff at Chapelstreet to help us set up a worship night to share updates and videos, and respond to what God has done.

The event and response encouraged us greatly. Altogether our partners gave $10,000 that night. God continued to speak to us and encourage our hearts.

In fact, every church visit we made this summer was encouraging. We heard from pastors, leaders, and missions boards that the more they see the work of our ministry, the more excited they are to be a part of it. We left churches like One Church, Bethel Baptist Church, First Baptist Fernandina Beach, and many others feeling like we had true partners in ministry.

Really, the time just talking, eating Chik-fil-a, or hanging on the porch with friends was some of the most significant for us, and of course, those moments were not caught on camera. But we did get a picture of us waiting out a late night tornado warning with the Peltier family and some of the MANY Panera iced teas we had.

Florida

We had the opportunity to observe the new missionary discovery and assessment process in Orlando before heading to Fernandina Beach to see family and visit FB Fernandina Beach.

A lot can happen in two years. A lot did happen in two years. Home assignment visits are all the same in two ways: always too much and never enough. There are too many people to properly schedule time with, and that time is never enough with them.

We have had two home assignments now, and both times we have gotten a glimpse of the team of people God has gathered behind us to guide, prepare, encourage, and sustain us and our ministry. If you’re reading this, you have had a direct impact in our lives, and we thank God for you.

This month

We are editing a couple projects from Egypt. We’re eager to share these amazing stories with you.

The global workers from Poland, Czechia, and Moldova will all be here in Poznan in the second week of October! We look forward to seeing them and capturing some of their stories.

Prayer

We’re praising God for three years of serving in the field, and praying that He continues to shape us into faithful stewards of the work He has given us

As of now, our support for the next term stands at 89%. We continue praying that God would continue to draw in more financial partners to allow us to serve at our highest capacity, and we are also taking steps to reduce our cost here like closing our office and moving it to our apartment.

Pray with us that God will use our presence here to make his work more known and that we would be an encouragement to our coworkers and church.

Pray for the projects we are editing from Egypt: for wisdom as we write and edit with multiple languages, and for God’s faithfulness and grace to be evident in the stories.

With thanks, 
Heather and Peter

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