In case you haven't kept up with us (I know it's hard to keep everyone straight), we moved from Texas to Davenport, Iowa in June. This was a move that seemed kinda crazy. Ben got a job at Chick-Fil-A as a manager and the only people we knew were our good friends the Tullos'. After much prayer and doors seeming to fly open, we packed up our things and moved up here. Katy and Austin graciously let us live in their basement for 2 months until we found a place to call home. About a week or two after moving, a funny thing happened. An opportunity presented itself for Ben to become the Worship Arts Director at a church plant to happen next year... in the Washington DC area. Now one might assume that our reaction would be surprise and incredulous laughter at the thought of making a big move again, with a baby, and no job, to start a church from nothing with the possibility that it doesn't take off. Instead, we looked at each other and realized that everything just clicked into place. I can't explain how....or why this was our path..but we instantly knew this is why God brought us to Iowa. The interview process began and finally, Ben was officially named the Worship Arts Director at Harvest Bible Chapel Fairfax.
Fast forward to the present and the move is really starting to become a reality. Ben is currently on staff at Harvest Davenport to train for his future position in Fairfax, Va. Our plant pastor, Dan Buraga is about to move his family out to DC to begin laying the foundations for the church. Now that the baby has been born and the time is drawing near, I have to admit that reality is sinking in for me, and it's pretty scary. When we move (April 1), Ben will find a job outside of the church until he can come on staff in a paid position (hopefully a year). I know that planting a church is hard work and doesn't come easily. What I can say, though, is that in the past week, God has continued to confirm this move to us. Truth says that following Christ does not often mean living a life of comfort. But with the trials, God is working His glory in our lives. I realize that I need to be stretched. As much as we are going to Fairfax to minister to the people there, God is going to use all of this to change me. I am excited to know that we can tell our kids one day how we stepped out in faith that God had a plan when we could only see a glimmer. I pray that this becomes a testament to them of God's faithfulness and provision at work. God is stirring my heart for the work there even now. We have been so blessed to meet the Buragas and I am so honored that they are in this with us. Good things to come.
With all that being said, we invite you to join in this adventure with us by praying for our journey ahead. Here are some specifics:
- Please pray that Ben finds a job that will provide for our family, as well as give him the flexibility he will need to build the Worship and Production aspects of the church.
- An affordable place for us to live that is close to the proposed site of the church
- Peace and faith to continue trusting in God's provision and timing as it is never the same as ours.
- Wisdom and favor for Dan as he leads us on this journey- Unity and strength among the core group to encourage one another and bring the gospel to the peopleThank you for joining with us! We will keep you informed as we move forward!
