Dust Gets Job -- Family Plans to Move Home!

For many of you, this is what you have been waiting to hear. . . . after applying for work in Australia and California and other places . . . it seems rather ironic, that. . . .

Dustin and Janette found work back in the U.S.

We will be returning on November 1st to the Pacific Northwest. Dustin begins work at Camp Lutherhaven in Idaho two weeks later as "Interim Manager of Outdoor Education." Janette will work as the "Part-time Day Camp Manager." These positions are firm until the end of May, at which point we will review and decide direction with the Lutherhaven leadership. Hence the term, "interim." Lutherhaven's call was unexpected. A real surprise. We're excited to work within an organization that passionately and creatively serves communities all over the inland Northwest.

As a family, we had already decided (prior to hearing from Lutherhaven) to return in November with or without work. We felt that we had reached our limit both emotionally and financially, and it was time to return. Our major goals had been achieved. They were:

1. Share an international experience together
2. Gain further education to expand our options as leaders and educators
3. See what the church is up to in another country
4. Step away from "professional church work" to gain perspective
   
5. Share Jesus' love with people who don't know Him
6. Listen the the Spirit as He directs our family forward through word, prayer, and circumstance.
   

What is most interesting in all of this is that after truly remaining open to the Spirit, knocking on many doors that could have led us anywhere in the world (and having them stay completely shut), the only door that opened was back in the Pacific Northwest. For this reason: we are sure this call can only be from the Lord.

As a friend of ours recently said, "Wow...and to think you had to go to Scotland to work at Lutherhaven....what a round-about trek for something that was available to you all along!!!!" Ironic, yes. Unlooked for, absolutely. Spirit-driven? We think so!

As a family this has been a wild ride. The closest picture we have to describe it is being in a tiny boat in a great storm, with no land in sight. It's dark, a night without stars. The wind and waves are high. We know Jesus is in the boat, but it seems that he is sleeping. We have been tested and pushed beyond endurance in every way. Many of you have also had a year of trial and testing. We've had times of severe doubt. God seemed silent. His ways darkened to us. But we took the example of faithful people who have gone before us, and we just didn't let go. Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, Esther, Job, Daniel, Mary, the list goes on and on and we sure needed to hear their stories.

Now as we step forward, we are aware stories have a lovely way of looping around like pathways and crossing one another between valleys, across hilltops, at springs. Here's hoping yours and ours intersect more than once!

Important!

• We are still definitely in need of financial and prayer support. There are many details to take care of during these major transitions.
  
• Stay tuned for the schedule for our "house gigs" around the Northwest. These will be gatherings in homes where we'll meet friends, Dust will play some tunes, we'll share "key learnings" from our time away.
  
• We can't wait to see you, hear how you've been!