A New Adventure

A week ago we were at our cabin in Prescott enjoying a beautiful afternoon and thinking about a summer in the pines. About then we noticed a message to call the office at the Global Ministry Center that coordinates volunteers. The conversation went something like this:

"Would you be interested in house sitting for the pastor of our church in Saipan? They will be on the mainland for a month, and someone is needed to keep the church open during that time."

"We would consider that. When do they need us?"

"June 27."

"Really? That soon?"

We quickly called some friends and asked them to pray with us. At lunch, we had been talking to our friend, Byron, who is our district superintendent, so we tracked him down again. Byron and his wife, Leanna, had lived and worked in the Asia-Pacific Region, so we wanted his advice. He promised to pray for us as we considered the opportunity.

As we were talking with Byron, Dave, the pastor, called us from Saipan to explain the situation. He and his wife Helen Ann teach in the public schools on the island and pastor a church in their home. They invited us to stay in their home and provide continuity for the congregation in their absence.

We prayed and Googled. Our only big expense would be the airfares, nearly $4000. The weather is hot and humid; that would be different from hot and dry. The language is English. The Northern Mariana Islands are a US commonwealth. Could we get everything ready that quickly? What is more important: was this something that God wanted us to do?

After more conversations and e-mail exchanges, we were convinced that we should do it. Early Saturday afternoon, we e-mailed Dave and Helen Ann to let them know that we intended to come. With the 17-hour time difference they started their Sunday knowing that we were coming. Sunday afternoon, we bought our tickets.

The race is on. To get a reasonable airfare and to get there for the Sunday before Dave and Helen Ann leave, we are flying a week from today, June 22, on an early morning flight to Seattle, then on to Tokyo-Narita, and finally, after an overnight layover, on to Saipan.

We need your prayers. This is a stretch for us: to try to help a congregation that we do not know. It is obviously also a financial commitment. If you would like to financially partner with us in meeting this need, send us an e-mail or give us a call. Look for us on Facebook to find our contact information.