Bigtime Transition

In February in my capacity of Kindred Spirit editor, I taped a two-hour interview with friends we've supported in Kenya for six years. During their time there, they've established a number of humanitarian efforts that include AIDS orphanages, business grants for a widow's business co-op, well drilling, and building churches (both physical and spiritual).

After this interview, we had lunch and interacted more. And the following week, they asked my unemployed hubby to consider taking his combo of theological and business experience and putting it to good use with this ministry. We were stunned. But then it made sense. It would not require a move--it's a Dallas-based position. And it seems a perfect blend of all his experience and passions.

The vision is for someone in the Dallas office to serve as the home office point person for field leaders; develop business plans; manage projects; provide short-term team support; and in the longer term, plan for implementation of this model in other parts of the developing world.

At this point we are leaning toward "yes." The main obstacle is that we'd have to raise the funds for a salary.

So before we make any commitments to such a huge change in our lives, our family has been invited to go on a ten-day "vision" trip to Kenya this July 7-17. It would allow my hubby to meet with the field leaders with whom he would be working, should we decide it's a mutual fit. And it would allow us to have a lot more facts about what would be involved. In addition we'd be working with teams showing the Jesus film in several locations, giving us opportunities to minister rather than just observe.

Three other kids are going--all girls--and, interestingly, all within a year of our daughter's age. So this is a great chance for our girl to see a part of the world's needs in a context where she's not just a kid tagging along with a lot of grown ups but actually serving alongside some of her peers. And because the kids will be with our team of about 14, we are scheduled to go only to locations considered "secure."

We felt strongly that we're supposed to take this step. But it is a step of faith because it means we've committed to travel with a big price tag. And--did I mention--my man is unemployed?

But perhaps he lost his job "for such a time as this"?