Friday, September 4, 2015

Changes

A lonely dirt road snaked its way through tropical forest and lowland farms.  After about 30 bumpy minutes, we arrived at a cluster of native houses surrounded by palm covered hills.  We met with the village ‘captain’ and other officials, sharing with them about our agricultural/values training program.  Four days later, the ‘captain’ notified us that they will send at least 6 young men to the training, which begins this Monday, the 7th.  These 6 will join another 4 who will comprise our fourth batch of trainees.  Previous graduates have returned home to start Bible studies and serve their communities through livelihood impact projects.  It’s been incredible to see God change the lives of those who have gone through our 3-month, live-in BOOST training.

Not only are good things happening here, but good things are happening on the home front.  David and Andrea continue to prepare for their wedding day.  Both Hannah and Martha have jobs!  Hannah applied and was hired to be the assistant program director at The George Ranch Historical Park (www.georgeranch.org) about 40 miles southwest of Houston.  It’s a working ranch that also showcases the work and lifestyle of Texas ranchers from the 1820’s until the 1930’s.  Hannah said that about half of the visitors are foreigners who want to see real Texas cowboys and experience the old west.  Next week, Martha will begin her new nursing job, working in the Intensive Care Unit of Baylor Hospital just east of downtown Dallas.  She will be moving into a nearby apartment.

So, my kids have begun leaving the nest for good.  David will stay in his house. Martha will move to Dallas. Hannah is already in Rosenberg, Texas.  Sara, now in her 8th year with Neiman Marcus, will be moving later this month to Grand Prairie, sharing a house with the church secretary.  Jonathan will move to Plano, Texas, where he is working full time and finishing his last 2 college courses, on track to graduate this December.  It’s a wonderful feeling to know all my kids are employed with good jobs, especially since I might be loosing mine!

Last week, the IMB sent word to all personnel that budgetary restraints were requiring them to trim our work force by up to 15%, about 700 people.  You can read more here:  www.imb.org/updates/storyview-3509.aspx#.VenzUpcatgs.   The possibility of having to leave the work I love is certainly unwelcome news.  But, unlike our national government, we cannot spend more than our churches give.  So, as hard as it is to accept, I am choosing to trust our IMB president and board members that this is their only choice.  I’m also choosing to trust the Lord with my future and with the future of all those I work with here.

During the next few months, the Board will first ask for volunteers among those near retirement to take an early retirement.  Then it will give others an opportunity to transition out of the company.  Other measures may have to be taken by early next year in order to reduce our personnel to a level the IMB can afford.  With the decline of Christianity in America, I guess such measures shouldn’t come as a complete surprise.  But one would hope that Southern Baptists would never waver in our historical commitment to be global ambassadors of the gospel.  Well, regardless of what happens, God is sovereign and His plans will be fulfilled.  Day by day, working, trusting, and resting in Him.

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