“The reality of God’s presence is not dependent on any place, but only dependent upon the determination to set the Lord always before us.”
- Oswald Chambers
Seasons of Change
We all experience different seasons of
change in our lives. Right now the
weather in the US is transitioning from Summer to Fall. The rhythm of the earth’s
changes bring the sense of a slow and steady march towards the changes ahead. Almost unseen to us the plants and trees
little by little are preparing themselves for a season of rest as the Winter
cold envelops the earth. Our lives
march onward with this same cadence.
During the past year I have been
praying for wisdom and direction in my
life. God has revealed an upcoming
change. As I have prayed and sought counsel from
mentors and pastors I am preparing for my own season of
change. In early January 2016 I will be packing my suitcases once more,
turning in my residence card in Nicaragua and taking up residence in the United
States. When I first packed my
suitcases in 2004 to move to this lovely land of lakes and volcanoes that has
become my “home”
I never imagined that I would be here for more than 11 years. The thought of leaving is bittersweet. The people, culture and community that I have
been a part of here have really become “home”.
What’s
Next…
In January I will head to Colorado and
Kansas to spend some time reconnecting with my family. I will participate in some re-entry
counseling for missionaries leaving the field and returning to their “passport
country”. Then, in February I’ll
head to Greenville, South Carolina.
There is a terrific church, lots of friends and a community that has walked
this Nicaragua journey with me waiting to accompany me as I weather this next season. There are many details that are still
unknown. However, I do know that just as
God took care of all of the details when I moved to Nicaragua eleven years ago
I know that He holds the future in His hands and that His plans for me are
good. You can pray for me as I seek God’s
direction for these next steps. Above
all, I am thankful for the peace that
God has granted in this decision. I may
not know the details but I know the God who holds them all and there is
tremendous peace in that.
What will happen at NCA?
So glad that you asked! In May of this year a new director was hired
to assume the leadership if NCA Matagalpa.
Greg and his wife Grace will be arriving in Nicaragua in November to
begin settling into their new home and learn the ropes. God has provided in a miraculous way for
the NCA community. Greg was the director
at NCA in Managua and was the person who hired me as the first grade teacher
there 12 years ago. Greg’s
heart for relationship with students, parents and teachers is remarkable. I feel so blessed because I feel like
God paid special attention to some of
the specific details of my prayers and has provided the right man to continue
to lead and direct NCA with a heart of
service and dedication to God first and then to others. 
The honest truth is that God has blessed
NCA beyond measure and He will continue to grow the school, the teachers and
the community in remarkable ways weather I am a part of it or not. The foundation is firmly set on God’s
Word and the commitment flows from both teachers and parents. I feel so privileged to have been a part of
the first chapters of the school’s development and I look
forward with great anticipation to the fruit that our labors will bear in the
next generation of leaders and professionals in Matagalpa.
How to Support Me in this Transition…
First of all thank you! Thank you! I would not still be here 11
years later if it were not for all of those who have faithfully given and
prayed for me and the ministries that I have served alongside. I still need your support and prayers in
this next season of transition. I will
need full financial support through June of 2016. As you can imagine there are lots of details
to work through in moving back to the US and I know that I need a little time
of rest and reflection before jumping right into a new job and
responsibilities.
Wisdom from those who have gone before me
in the transition to life in the USA says that I will need time. Time to process life and the end of a long
chapter of service and testimony of God’s
work both in and through me, time to adapt to and understand living in US
culture once again. And time to rest
after an incredibly busy, stressful and life-changing season of ministry in
Matagalpa.
So I ask if you have been a faithful
financial supporter through the years to please stand in the gap with me
through June of 2016 as I re-adjust to many, many new things and set up life
again state-side. Pray for God’s
direction during this time of transition.
Please feel free to call, write and ask deep questions.
How to pray
·
Unity for the NCA staff, parents and
students as we all continue to move forward in mission and vision
·
Peace for all of us in the middle of
transition
·
Wisdom as I seek God’s
direction for the next steps (job, where to live, etc)
·
Continued financial provision in this season
of transition
·
Sweet times of reflection and closure as I
finish out these last 3 months in Nicaragua
·
Patience in the process of re-entry
As believers we know that our plans are not
ours but God asks us to trust Him with our future, our desires and our
talents. With total confidence I am
stepping forward into this new season knowing that the same God who led me to
live and serve in Nicaragua will go with me as I return to the States. I have no idea of the opportunities and
future adventures the Lord will orchestrate.
I have no doubt that God will use the skills and abilities that he has
been developing in me to expand His kingdom.
Thank you for being a vital part of what God is doing.
In His Service,
Carey
