I haven't kept up with any blogs really, so I must say I am a little clueless about all this. Stick with me though and we'll figure this out. Some friends thought this would be a good idea to help anyone considering long term missions to see where we have been and what direction we are going.
First, a few basics for those of you who don't know us. Jason and I are both veterinarians. We met in vet school and have been happily married for the past 6 years. We both feel like the Lord started shaping and changing us for long term missions about 3 years ago. We have 1 son, Elijah. He is 17 months old and curious about everything!
3 years ago Jason and I felt like the Lord was prompting Jason to go back to school for a speciality degree. So we sold our house, our car, etc and moved back to Auburn. We never thought we would be back in the same trailer park, but after living in Jason's uncle's basement for 2 months we were glad to be back in a trailer. What can I say? Welcome to Alabama :)
After several short term trips to different locations - mainly South America, Jason and I started praying about where God would have us serve Him long term. And then the wait began! In the mean time I quit my job to stay at home with Elijah. This wasn't an easy decision for me at all. But I can definitely say that it was the best choice I could have made. I am so happy to be at home with Elijah now. The other thing I can say is that vet medicine is far easier than motherhood - all you moms who are vets already know this though :) Our income dropped dramatically and there were some tough spots, but God is faithful.
I like to say that Jason and I have the paralysis of analysis. We analyze, then reanalyze, then do it a couple of more times just to be sure. But again, God is definitely faithful. He has been patiently shaping us through what often feels like a roller coaster ride.
Have you ever noticed that sometimes what you think is the plan really isn't what God had in mind? Well, we thought after Jason finished his residency he'd quickly get a job. He'd work a couple of years, then off we'd go! We had it narrowed down to South America and Africa. South America for me and Africa for Jason. Jason had recently been to Kenya and has since been to Ethiopia. Pretty narrow wouldn't you say...
Now, here's what is really happening.
Since finishing his residency Jason doesn't have a job. We had 2 weeks to be out of our trailer that we had already sold with no job and no place to live. OK, so maybe we could have lived with our parents - YIKES!!! Only if God is 100% sure about that one! Then at a meeting about an orphanage in Uganda I mentioned that we were about to be jobless and homeless. On the way to the meeting Jason and I discussed how we did not feel called to Uganda. I was quite positive I wasn't called to Africa AT ALL. On the way out that night someone at the meeting offered his home in Auburn to us for a few months for FREE. Coincidence, luck?? God is in all and through all right? So here we are. Jason had almost no work for about 2 weeks. At which point he became a little cranky. But the work situation soon changed. Jason has more and more relief work each week. Although we are very thankful it unfortunately keeps him away from home 3-4 days a week. Elijah usually looks for Jason every night. I keep telling him dad is at work. We are praying for steady work in 1 area and the opportunity to rent a home somewhere close by.
Rewind for a moment. In September we attended Christian Veterinary Mission's Short Course. We wanted to meet with some of their long term fieldworkers and continue praying about where God would have us go. While there I was challenged by one of the missionaries about South America. She wanted me to be sure I didn't want to go there just because I thought I could handle everything myself - new location, new language, new food. So I began to pray seriously about that and truly leave myself open to anywhere God wanted me. We also learned about an opening in Uganda. Another coincidence I'm certain. For the first time I was excited about Africa even though I think Jason has had it on his heart for a long time. He has been patiently waiting for God to work out all my insecurities and my lacking faith in the almighty creator of everything - including Africa.
We just purchased tickets to visit Uganda in November. Please pray that we will have confirmation one way or the other about the ministry opportunities there and partnering with the building of an orphanage. Pray that God will continue to open and close doors, that we will be open to His will and not our own plans and that I will continue to have peace about leaving Elijah for 10 days.
Now that we have a foundation about our journey these blogs should be a little shorter. I look forward to sharing with you.
First, a few basics for those of you who don't know us. Jason and I are both veterinarians. We met in vet school and have been happily married for the past 6 years. We both feel like the Lord started shaping and changing us for long term missions about 3 years ago. We have 1 son, Elijah. He is 17 months old and curious about everything!
3 years ago Jason and I felt like the Lord was prompting Jason to go back to school for a speciality degree. So we sold our house, our car, etc and moved back to Auburn. We never thought we would be back in the same trailer park, but after living in Jason's uncle's basement for 2 months we were glad to be back in a trailer. What can I say? Welcome to Alabama :)
After several short term trips to different locations - mainly South America, Jason and I started praying about where God would have us serve Him long term. And then the wait began! In the mean time I quit my job to stay at home with Elijah. This wasn't an easy decision for me at all. But I can definitely say that it was the best choice I could have made. I am so happy to be at home with Elijah now. The other thing I can say is that vet medicine is far easier than motherhood - all you moms who are vets already know this though :) Our income dropped dramatically and there were some tough spots, but God is faithful.
I like to say that Jason and I have the paralysis of analysis. We analyze, then reanalyze, then do it a couple of more times just to be sure. But again, God is definitely faithful. He has been patiently shaping us through what often feels like a roller coaster ride.
Have you ever noticed that sometimes what you think is the plan really isn't what God had in mind? Well, we thought after Jason finished his residency he'd quickly get a job. He'd work a couple of years, then off we'd go! We had it narrowed down to South America and Africa. South America for me and Africa for Jason. Jason had recently been to Kenya and has since been to Ethiopia. Pretty narrow wouldn't you say...
Now, here's what is really happening.
Since finishing his residency Jason doesn't have a job. We had 2 weeks to be out of our trailer that we had already sold with no job and no place to live. OK, so maybe we could have lived with our parents - YIKES!!! Only if God is 100% sure about that one! Then at a meeting about an orphanage in Uganda I mentioned that we were about to be jobless and homeless. On the way to the meeting Jason and I discussed how we did not feel called to Uganda. I was quite positive I wasn't called to Africa AT ALL. On the way out that night someone at the meeting offered his home in Auburn to us for a few months for FREE. Coincidence, luck?? God is in all and through all right? So here we are. Jason had almost no work for about 2 weeks. At which point he became a little cranky. But the work situation soon changed. Jason has more and more relief work each week. Although we are very thankful it unfortunately keeps him away from home 3-4 days a week. Elijah usually looks for Jason every night. I keep telling him dad is at work. We are praying for steady work in 1 area and the opportunity to rent a home somewhere close by.
Rewind for a moment. In September we attended Christian Veterinary Mission's Short Course. We wanted to meet with some of their long term fieldworkers and continue praying about where God would have us go. While there I was challenged by one of the missionaries about South America. She wanted me to be sure I didn't want to go there just because I thought I could handle everything myself - new location, new language, new food. So I began to pray seriously about that and truly leave myself open to anywhere God wanted me. We also learned about an opening in Uganda. Another coincidence I'm certain. For the first time I was excited about Africa even though I think Jason has had it on his heart for a long time. He has been patiently waiting for God to work out all my insecurities and my lacking faith in the almighty creator of everything - including Africa.
We just purchased tickets to visit Uganda in November. Please pray that we will have confirmation one way or the other about the ministry opportunities there and partnering with the building of an orphanage. Pray that God will continue to open and close doors, that we will be open to His will and not our own plans and that I will continue to have peace about leaving Elijah for 10 days.
Now that we have a foundation about our journey these blogs should be a little shorter. I look forward to sharing with you.
Blessings,
Jennifer
