How does one qualify as a “nomad”? If the above dictionary meaning is applied to our lives, I think Michael and I would qualify. In the thirty nine years that Michael and I have been married, we’ve lived in more than twenty homes in nine states and two European countries.
When Michael retired from the army fourteen years ago, we thought we were heading directly into full-time mission work, but God had other plans. Instead, we spent the next ten years doing stateside church work, buying and selling the only home we’d ever owned, getting our Master’s degrees from seminary, and working on a Christian college campus. We gradually began to understand that God is interested in the processes of our lives not simply the goals.
In September 2004, after I completed my Masters degree and Michael resigned from his job at Columbia Bible College and Seminary, we came to Europe to pray about God’s “next step” for us. A series of unique circumstances led us to Budapest for those months of prayer, and when we returned to SC in Dec. 2004 we knew God wanted us to return to Budapest to do Christian work full time.
When we moved to Budapest in April 2005, we saw it as the achievement of our goal in some senses; but in other senses, it was just another step in the process. After living full time in Budapest for almost 3 years, we began (in December 2007) to divide our time between the States and Hungary on a three-month rotation. Although we understood the tax issues that initiated that rotation, we didn’t see some of God’s purposes for that change until the year unfolded.
When we returned to Budapest last fall, a complex mixture of things began happening—changes in our finances, our ministry opportunities, our living arrangements, and more. And everything seemed to be hinting that our time in Budapest might be coming to a close. This January, after much prayer, we determined that God wanted us to give up our flat in Budapest this summer. Fortunately, no part of our decision is related to relational problems with the groups or individuals with whom we are working.
So when we arrived in Budapest last month, we came as nomads ready to pack up our lives again and move on, not knowing exactly what the future holds. We both hope that God will bring us back to Budapest either full-time or part time in the future, but He hasn’t told us that part of His story for us yet. We know God’s plans for us are good plans, but He usually only gives us a piece of life’s puzzle at a time.
Years ago we had some Christian neighbors who had this sign on their door: “Never a dull moment in Christ.” We’ve come to appreciate that sentiment. For Twenty two years the military told us where we were going, and we packed up our family and moved on. Since Michael has retired from the military, the Lord has typically told us to move on before He tells us where we are going! Never a dull moment!
It’s not that God hasn’t given us some reasons and hints for this upcoming move. We already see His hand in ministry opportunities at our 1000 member church in NC. I have been asked to reformat my “Bible’s Love Story” into an 8 week class that can be offered several times throughout the church calendar for new members and converts. Someone skilled in graphics will be redoing the booklets and hand-outs for the course, which is like a dream come true for me. I’m also part of our church’s writing group, and I hope to spend more time writing. You can view my recent blog, “Mysterious footprints” (Feb. 24) on the crossroadscommunicators@blogspot.com.
Michael has been asked to direct some administrative tasks at the growing church, developing teams for follow up and networking within the church, getting people better connected to small groups, ministry and discipleship opportunities. He feels these tasks will use his giftings and experiences more fully than the work he has been doing the last few years. He also will be looking for paid work.
BUT THINGS ARE NOT YET OVER HERE IN BUDAPEST!! God has given us the spring to complete some tasks here. I started a weekly women’s discussion/prayer/Bible study group 3 weeks ago. That will be the extent of my formal ministry this spring for several reasons. I’ve been suffering from rapid hair loss due to a terrible case of food poisoning in December, and I’m also having some dental difficulties. Plus I’m in the process of getting rid of all of our accumulated belongings from our 4 1/2 years in Budapest except what we can haul back in 4-fifty pound suitcases! It’s a challenge.
Michael will continue working with Campus Crusade, wrapping up some loose ends before our departure. And we hope to take advantage of our location one last time to get in some travel to nearby countries. We’ll be returning to the States in June.
Please pray for our health and that God will give us wisdom in making decisions and plans as we transition from one stage in our lives to another. We will miss many things about our life in Budapest, and we pray God will give us the peace of closure before we leave.
Love,
Gail
* I’m not comparing our faith to Abraham’s, just contemplating how God leads His children.
