Wednesday, October 3, 2012

karibuni (welcome, all of you)

Welcome to our new blog dedicated to this crazy new adventure we're on! In July 2013, our family of five will be picking up & moving to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Africa!

In January 2012, I started browsing the Christian Schools International website for fun. I love to see what type of positions and schools are out there - especially international ones. I typically invesigate a school or position for a mere few minutes and feel put off by something and decide it is not an option for us. I found a few positions at Haven Of Peace Academy (HOPAC http://www.hopac.net/ ) and started looking into it. Nothing scared me off. I forwarded the link to Marc and he looked around a bit. At first, it was more for fun and the dreaming and the 'what ifs', as we have always wanted to do something international. Marc sent an email to the school and our communication began.

Over the next several months, we continued to ask them questions about the school, the position, the culture and living conditions. We found out we were having another baby and struggled with the idea of potentially taking 3 children to Africa. We went to the DR with our church and got to experience a week outside of our own context to think, reflect, pray and ponder. Finally in June, after Marc completed the application and essays, and I sent my resume, Marc had an interview.

In July, we had the priviledge of meeting with a couple who work at HOPAC. They just happened to be in West Michigan for 3 weeks in July. Their daughter just happened to be going to the soccer camp at Marc's current school. We met for coffee for several hours and had very real and honest conversation about the joys and difficulties of living/serving at HOPAC and in Tanzania, and our hesitations and questions. As we wrapped up our time together, our new friends were telling us that Marc was "exactly what the school needed". We left with the peace that we have felt through this whole process still in tact, and having nothing we learned through the conversation detering us.

In late July/early August, Marc got the official email. The offer. The confirmation of what we already felt was coming.

Since then we have had meetings with our sending agency, Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM), fininshed applications to be Partner- Missionaries with CRWM, prayed, investigated insurance policies, self-employment tax questions, met with debt management consultants, talked with family and close friends, been in prayer, created a tentative budget and fundraising goal, talked with our kids, prayed, started talking about what we'd sell & what we'd store, and prayed a little more.

Two weeks ago we officially accepted the position, and we should be appointed by CRWM in the next few weeks. Marc will be the full time high school Bible teacher, and I will work part time doing various jobs like chapel planning/leading, Bible Studies, student congress and/or having youth group out of our home. Isaac will be going to Kindergarten in Africa next year!

We continue to feel the peace of God, which surpasses ALL understanding (Phil 4:7). Are we crazy for moving our family  (when we move the kids will be 5 1/2, almost 3 and 9ish months) to Africa? Are we crazy for leaving jobs we both LOVE with salaries that pay the bills? Are we crazy for leaving our extended families and dear friends behind? Are we crazy for moving somewhere we've never been, to a culture that's incredibly different than our own, to a place where the people speak swahili, where we will be the minority and there isn't a CRC church nearby? :)

Yes, I think we might be. But I'm completely at peace with that.

11 comments:

  1. G, it is so exciting to see your family beginning on something you've had on your heart for so long. This is wonderful! Will you be raising support?

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    1. Yes, we will raise a majority of our support. Our school will give us a monthly stipend, which will cover rent & food, but the rest of 'life' we will have to raise. There's a link up top that I'll keep updated about our fundraising efforts!

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  2. Yay! Can't wait to see how God changes you, and the world, through this experience. Love you guys!

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    1. Thanks for all your prayers & support already, Kel. Love you too & can't wait til you come & visit! :)

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  3. Mind. Blown. !!!!!!! Totally in awe of your obedience and absolutely excited for you all as you begin this new adventure!!! Praying praying praying =)

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    1. We've pretty much had no choice but to be obedient - it's truly been that clear! Thanks for your prayers. Reality hasn't truly hit, and when it does... oh boy...keep praying!

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  4. Gretchen, I have been trying to think of something to say besides this, but I can't, so...HOLY COW!!!!!!!

    You are living your God-sized dream! I am so incredibly happy for you, my brave, beautiful, inspiring friend. I love heart God gave you and Marc to share.

    Blessings!

    Wendy

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    1. I'm not sure if it was you or Beka who introduced me to "when the dream never dies", but um, YUP. This dream hasn't died! Having friends like you guys have helped shape this dream, thats for sure.

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    2. Credit to Beka for that one. But to me if she ever finishes that book. ;)

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  5. Are you crazy?
    NO!!!! Absolutely not!
    You are doing what you Must, b/c you were made to do it. The best part is that you're doing it, despite it being out of the hum-drum-normal-nancy. Not many choose that path, or choose to take the "risk." Way to follow the dream and follow your calling.
    Love, Amy, from Mission Year. :)

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  6. Hey Gretchen and Marc! We struggled with the same questions as wel sold everything, left an awesome job, church, house, neighborhood and family knowing that we would be moving our family every 3 months for the next year to different countries ending up after that year where ever the Lord leads us.. The answer for us was a resounding yes.. We are crazy. But we are completely at peace with it and although things at time are a struggle and people think we are nuts the center of Gods will is the best place to be!! Blessings as you make the tough decisions to transition your family to this new exciting adventure!! Much love, Heather

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