Thankfulness in the journey

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Today, August 6, is my 67 th birthday. If you had told me last year what we would doing in 2021, I would have said you were crazy! The truth is, over the past several weeks, Pam and I have repeatedly said to each other (sometimes smiling, sometimes not), “This is not easy. What have we done?”

  • It’s not been easy saying goodbye to our family at Summit that we loved and served for 23 years.

  • It’s not been easy to liquidate our household with its 40+ years of accumulated memories and treasures.

  • It’s not been easy to be homeless, car-less, furniture-less and in between ministries.

  • It’s not been easy to navigate the innumerable logistical details that are required to relocate to Costa Rica.

  • It’s not been easy to walk through Pam’s bout with breast cancer.

But as we have reflected on these challenges, we have also seen an outpouring of God’s grace and mercy. It has been amazing to see God’s hand at work!

  • A Summit family graciously has provided a home and a vehicle for us in the “in between” times when we’re in Sparks.

  • Other dear friends have stepped up to fill every gap. Every need has been met. Every logistical detail has been taken care of. Pam and I are speechless.

  • Our 81 boxes of “stuff” are on their way to Costa Rica.

  • We were gifted three weeks at a beautiful condo on Florida’s Gulf Coast. This has given us time to rest, regroup and take care of details related to our move.

  • While in Florida, we had an amazing vacation at Disney World with our daughter, Rachel, and her two kids: Audrey and Eden.

  • Pam is healing rapidly from her two cancer surgeries.

  • On top of this, we have had the incredible blessing of knowing that God is faithfully at work using Bryan Smith, Chris Winslow, and the rest of the church’s leadership to continue advancing the cause of Christ at Summit.

We arrive in Costa Rica on August 11. My first time speaking at English Christian Fellowship is August 15. Please be in prayer as we search for a home, a vehicle, and as we settle into our new environment and new ministry. Pray that Pam and I would love well, listen carefully, laugh often, and serve humbly.

Steve