The other day I heard the term "Furlough" somewhere and was surprised. The usual context I hear that word is in relation to missionary topics. But this time it was in a different context. So I quickly looked up the word to see how they were using it...
To my surprise- here was the definition...
A furlough (pronounced /ˈfɜrloʊ/; from Dutch: "verlof") is a temporary leave of absence from employment, duty in the armed services, or from a prison term. It may be voluntary or involuntary.
Voluntary furloughs from employment or armed services are essentially a vacation (holiday).Well, we're not leaving prison or the army... and looking at my schedule this is definitely not a vacation!
So we'll use the term "Home assignment" to describe what we are doing for the next 6 months!
On June 21 we head back to Canada for about 6 months or so. During that time we'll be basing ourselves out of Turtleford, SK. Friends of ours have offered us their basement suite for the time we are back in Canada to stay in.
For the first 3 months, though, we will be travelling across the country from BC to Quebec sharing in churches, homes, Camps and Bible Study groups. We have a van and a tent-trailer awaiting us to be our home on wheels for the next 3 months!
July and the first week of August will be spent speaking at Bible Camps and churches. We'll be in Swan River, MB (Steeprock Bay Bible Camp), Big River Bible Camp (SK), Silver Birch bible Camp (Loon Lake, SK) Island Lake Bible Camp (Turtleford, SK) and Glad Tidings Bible Camp (Mossbank, SK).
From there we head west. We'd like to be able to go to Vancouver Island. Jacob was born there and is the only one in the family who has no memories of the area. He's been praying that we could go back to see his "hometown" and then have pictures in his mind of the places we talk about! We'll see if we get a chance to do that. The main issue is taking a van and tent-trailer across on the ferry is crazy expensive- so it will depend on finances at the time.
On our way back East we will be attending and I'll be officiating at the wedding of a YUGO ministries MK- Rebekah Hoople!! after that we go WAY East to Ontario. We will be sharing with some Calvary Chapel Churches in Ottawa and Toronto as well as their men's retreat.
We are also planning on making a side-trip to Quebec City for a homeschool field trip! Living away from Canada our kids are woefully ignorant of Canadian History and geography. So we plan on spending some time teaching them about Canada in an interesting way- by visiting some of the countries most important early sites! While in Ottawa we'll take museum tours and parliament tours while I get to teach them about the early History of Canada. We'll be salting our entire trip with homeschool lessons on history, geography and Civics. Don't tell the kids though, if they find out they are in school they may not like it! :)
Most of September will be spent in Ontario with our families and our original home churches. We're looking forward to spending some good time there sharing with supporters and family what God has been doing through us in Mexico and what our vision is for our return to Mexico!
October-December I have almost all of our Sundays full. Daytime with Shar and the kids will be spent with regular Homeschool days during those months. We'll be in Turtleford and hope to get some normal-like family routine during that time!
We have not yet discussed with YUGO Canada what our new assignment will look like in it's totality. There have been some interesting possibilities come up in the last few months and we are seeking God's direction in those choices.
We appreciate your prayers for us during our time in Canada! We will continue to be supported by your faithful and generous gifts through YUGO ministries. We will still have our rent to pay here in Mexico as well as travel expenses and living expenses in Canada. God knows what we will need and when and we are excitied as always to see how He will provide for us during this time!
Prayer requests
- that all of our needs would be met during Home assignment
- that things will go well with the ministry here in Mexico while we are away.
- that we will be a blessing where we are serving in Canada
- that many young people at the camps would surrender their lives to Jesus.
- that we will adjust well to the cultural differences in Canada that we are no longer accustomed to.
- for safety as we travel 15,000KM (9500 miles) across Canada and back during our 3 month tent-trailer adventure!
- for our relationships with each other during this time!! That we would behave in loving ways despite the close quarters!!
- That God would be Glorified in all!
- We found someone to watch our house and animals for us while we are gone! Miguel and Gabby are a young couple who love Jesus from our church. Gabby works at YUGO's Grace Children's Home and Miguel is an intern at Calvary Chapel Rosarito. They are living in inadequate housing without even a bathroom! They had been praying for something they could afford. So we are going to pay the rent while they are here and they will pay for their utilities. They will care for our animals and stuff. This is a huge answer to prayer because most houses that are left here get so robbed that they will even steal the wiring and plumbing which would make the place unliveable when we return! Thanks for praying!
See you soon!
Mike, Shar Elijah, Caleb, Jacob
