In June of this year our family finished 10 years serving in Guatemala. It has been a great 10 years and we have seen the Lord do some amazing things which we talked a little about here if you are interested. We have sensed for a time that there is a need for us to take an extended time stateside. Since we have transitioned from Love Guatemala as of July 1 of this year we thought that now would be a good time to take an extended time stateside. We sought much counsel on this decision and with unanimous counsel on this decision and also the blessing of the leadership at New Life Network we have decided to take a one year home assignment for the year of 2023. We will be back in the states December of this year and plan to be back in Guatemala in January 2024.
Here are several reasons why we feel it is necessary in this season to take a year away from Guatemala:
- We have not all been back as a family for 3 years.
- We will have two grown children (Levi and Jacob) in the US when we come back and they need some more time and attention in this season.
- We want and need to spend some extended time with our our family especially our parents.
- We desire and need to further develop our relationship with New Life Network senior leadership that is currently located in Indianapolis.
- We desire to connect with all of our current ministry partners
- We need to raise some more financial support for our family. (We lost about 25% of our monthly support while transitioning from LG to NLN)
- We need a period of rest which is part of the plan you can see below.
- Ben will be connecting with the senior leadership of New Life Network and be held accountable for the time stateside.
- We will focus on further building relationships with NLN leadership.
- We will stay connected virtually with team in Guatemala and still meeting regularly and supporting as much as possible from a distance.
- We will be supporting Love Guatemala and Katy regularly meeting with them for support and coaching as well as continuing to serve on the board.
- Ben will make a few trips to Guatemala for leadership mtgs/retreats and other needs.
- We will also be doing fundraising as indicated above which will require some travel.
- We are planning on taking a 3 month sabbatical where we will do very little ministry related.
- Pray for a fruitful year in all the ways listed above.
- Pray for a great recharge of batteries for the next 10 years of ministry.
- Pray for financial provision and success in fundraising.
- Pray for transition for Jacob to states.
- Pray for transportation for us while we are there.
- Pray for health insurance options while we are there.
- A home to stay in. Thanks Cheek Family!
- Plane tickets purchased.
- A visa for Sofia. (We plan on pursuing citizenship for her while we are there)
- Great teams in Guatemala to lead the ministry as we are away.
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