Family Transition

When we signed up for this Equip year in NYC we knew things would be different for us. We knew that things would change and this culture would become our new culture. We call this time a “transition bridge” we have uprooted from Oklahoma and are crossing that transitions to NYC. How long we stay on that bridge is different for everyone of us. For some that bridge is really short and for others that bridge can be very long. My kids fall under that long bridge, at the ages of 9 and 6, most would think that NYC would be a great life. But when you miss your dog, horse, big yard, etc… the transition can be very hard. In the last few months we have heard the cries of missing literally everything we have ever owned. Although we are not “Oversees” this culture here is the same to them as if we have already moved.

One of our jobs as not only missionaries but also as parents is to comfort our children during this transition. We have started new activities and adventures with soccer, art, museum viewings and going to parks, lots of parks. We are trying to get them off the Chaos bridge and re-root themselves in the NYC culture. This past week we held our 9 year old’s birthday party and the most interesting thing is that we had 5 different nationalities present — that is NYC.

We must remember that ministry is not always easy. And when we see our kids struggle makes things even harder. When I fall to this area in my life I am reminded of the first scripture my daughter ever memorized in Psalm 139:9-10:

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

    if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 

even there your hand will guide me,

    your right hand will hold me fast.

This is the the promise of our great Father. I constantly pray that he will guide us in His plan for His ministry.

Are You Ready? Get Equipped

Check out our Equip Missionary Training Program. A ten-month church-planting and cross-cultural missionary training program in the culturally vibrant and diverse heart of New York City.

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