Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas * Vesel Božič * Mele Kalikimaka

Merry Christmas from Oklahoma!

It's still a bit strange for me (Justin) to start off a Christmas letter (or any other letter for that matter) with “from Oklahoma.” Never would the thought have crossed my mind that the Lord would one day lead me/us back here. But as wise Solomon once wrote, in his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps (Proverbs 16:9). And the Lord has indeed been determining our steps, especially as we look back on our last year.

As we drove home from work (yes, work) this evening, we laughed at the course our life has taken in one calendar year. Last year we were missionaries, soaking up our final rays of the Maui sun as our six month sabbatical from the European mission field drew to a close. Today we are public high school teachers in rural middle America, grading papers in our free time and dodging deer on the road as we drive home to help take care of Erin's grandmother.

We have learned this year that when God is ready to make a move, He makes a move. Within one year we have completed our teaching certificates in Oklahoma (not to mention avoided a tornado the day we were originally scheduled to take our 8 hour exam). We prepared a church we planted and pastored for our departure (they were so gracious and patient as we played “red light, green light” with the Lord and His timing). We got rid of most of our belongings in Europe and shipped the rest back home (the rural postal carrier in our area was a bit curious to receive our mountain bikes in boxes...she called me to pick them up since they would not fit in her mailman jeep). We said goodbye to Erin's grandfather at his bedside and graveside, and said hello to grandma as our new roommate (and a dog named Casey and longhorn cows who are our new neighbors on the 180 acres where we live in Macomb, population 34...oops...36). We were offered jobs at the same school (I am still amused at the fact that neither of us applied to teach there … until after the principal offered us jobs). We handed the church over to Slovenian disciples that we had the privilege of leading to Christ and discipling (it was actually much easier to let go that I anticipated it would be after 14 years). We began our crazy schedule of working non-stop as first year teachers (so glad we work together … if not we would never have seen each other the first semester). We passed lots of time in the car during our hour-long commute to work each way (ironic that in Europe we lived and worked in a ¼ mile radius … now we don't even have any neighbors living in that same radius).

Although the details and logistics of our life have changed dramatically in one year, our purpose has not. We know that God has brought us here to be lights to those who need Him and serve those who know Him. We have plenty of opportunities to shine as lights in the school where He has placed us. In the midst of grading papers, correcting grammar (Erin teaches Freshman English, I teach Journalism and Yearbook in addition to Personal Finance & Computer Science), calling parents, and maintaining order (and sanity) in the classroom, we see daily the huge needs our students (and colleagues) have in their personal lives and, even more importantly, spiritually. Though we have stepped out of full-time ministry for a time, our ministry is still indeed full-time. Please pray for us that He would fulfill our purpose where He has us in this season.

We hope you find time this Christmas to stop, rest and reflect on all the Lord has done in your year. And may you find joy in discovering His new plans and directions He has for you in 2013. May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18.

Blessings,
Mr. Gerry & Mrs. Gerry
(aka Justin & Erin)

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