It is with great sadness and many, many tears that we must
announce to you our resignation from our life and ministry in Togo. While we cannot
begin to express how much we love and support the doctrine, culture, and
mission of ABWE, our personal conviction as the result of much investigation
and study over the last several years has led us to no longer be able to comply
with the vaccine policy of the organization. This has resulted in the inability
of the organization to give us medical clearance to return to the field.
Upon learning this news three weeks ago and after having already
purchased our return tickets to Togo, we were stunned to say the least.
However, even though the last three weeks have been a roller coaster of emotion,
we can gladly say that the Lord is good and He is not finished using us yet. He
knows our future, and we are confident that it involves living and sharing the
gospel no matter where He places us. We have slowly begun dreaming again about new
ministry opportunities whether it be in secular or Christian fields of service.
We would really like to be able to stay in the Pacific Northwest near our
church family, but if the Lord leads us elsewhere, we want to be willing to follow
His leading. Please do pray with us that we would be open to and aware of His direction
at this time. We wish to give Him all the glory for what He is about to do.
We are making plans to go back to Togo to gather Ryan’s
toolbox and a few of our things and to say temporary, earthly goodbyes to our
friends and teammates in Togo. We are grateful to be able to report to you that
we are able to resign from our field team on good terms with each and every one
of our Togo teammates and in good standing with all of the Togolese alongside
whom we have ministered. This most certainly does not in any way make it easier
to leave them, but it does encourage our hearts to know that we have friends
and family all over the world that we will one day live and dine with again in
glory. We look forward to that day with great anticipation!
For those of you who support us financially, we ask that you
hang in there with us for just a few more months until we are able to settle
down. There is a possibility of staying with ABWE and serving stateside in
which case we would still require some level of support. Until our direction is
clear, we will be serving in our sending church. Lord willing, we should be
able to give you some answers within 3 to 6 months.
In closing, thank you sooooo much for your prayers and
support over the last several years of our lives. We have been honored above
and beyond what we deserve and are incredibly humbled by your prayers, hugs,
smiles, encouragements, cards, and all your efforts to love us through your
love for missions and for the gospel of our Lord Jesus. We can never repay you,
but if the Lord allows, we will one day be on the front row at your crowning service
in Heaven praising Jesus so loudly for each and every one of you!
With overflowing hearts we thank you.
