We've only been home for 6 days. These 6 days have felt like a blur. We're kind of out of it. I think we've readjusted ourselves to this time zone and we're just settling into the fact that we won't be traveling to another country in a few weeks. It's sort of refreshing, sort of not. I'm so grateful to not have to carry my 45 pounds pack around anymore, but I'm sad that it's all unpacked and most of our things are thrown away due to holes and sweat stains.
We came home (technically) homeless. We came home jobless. We came home with very little money in our bank account. We've seen God provide more for us in the past year and a half than I've ever dreamed possible. If anything is a testimony of how God provides for His children, The World Race is that for us. He's blown our minds with His faithfulness.
And now He's at it again! A few months ago, Jeremy started applying for youth ministry positions. He's felt that leading on his life for almost a decade. The process has been less than fun, and we've had doors slammed in our faces along the way. Some doors have been cracked, then slightly closed as God gently whispers to us that He has something bigger for us. We've been through this process before, so we know what it's like. It's called "The Waiting Game". Waiting on churches to respond, waiting on a definite "yes" or a definite "no", and waiting to see where God leads.
About two months ago Jeremy applied to a job in Bristol, Indiana. Right away we felt good about the position. It felt like a perfect fit for both of us. The job description was "right up Jeremy's ally" and the church is 25 minutes from Bethel College. I feel called to Sign Language Interpretation, and Bethel just so happens to offer that degree. It's also one of only two colleges I applied to back in September (and to which I got accepted). We've been praying about this position for two months, and we've asked God to close the door if it isn't where He wants us next.
Jeremy had 2 interviews with them before we even came home. He felt right at home with the staff. The more we prayed together about this position, the more confident we felt in His leading. Not ones to get our hopes up, we continued to pray, seek the wisdom of our teammates and believers back home, and waited. The church narrowed down their search to two people: one other guy and Jeremy. They schedule an in-person interview with the two of us for June 4th, just 5 days after we were set to arrive home.
Yesterday was June 4th. God woke me up super early (for me super early is 7 am) to spend time in prayer before the interview. We drove to Bristol, Indiana and instantly felt the Spirit in the staff at this church. Gone was the awkwardness of in person first time greetings and there to stay were warm, friendly, almost-like-family staff. We felt so comfortable and ourselves around them. We expressed to them how we felt God's leading to their church, and they confirmed our leading. By the end of the day, they told us that they were confident God was leading us to their church, but that they would have to seek the council of the "Board of Trustees". They told us to expect a phone call soon.
We woke up this morning hopeful. Not long ago, we received the phone call that we knew God would send our way: Jeremy received the full time youth position at this church! We are beyond excited, and are still constantly in awe of the way God provides for us. We haven't even been home a week yet and already He has provided us with a job and a new city to call home!
Bristol, Indiana. Bristol United Methodist Church. Jeremy is a full time youth pastor!
And I believe the most exciting thing about this is that they don't need him to start until August, which means we have the whole summer to visit with friends and family that we've missed over the past year. We also prayed for a position relatively close to Jeremy's family, and it's only 1 hour and 45 minutes away! AND, AND no more 18 hours drives for me (Toni) to visit my family! It's only 10 hours now!!
I am shell shocked at His love and faithfulness towards us! We are excited, in awe, and overwhelmed by His generosity on us! And oh my goodness are we so excited for this next chapter!
If there is EVER any doubt on His provision, just look at our lives. There's no need to doubt Him.
