Even in ideal circumstances it is difficult to leave loved ones behind. These include not only our immediate family members but all of you receiving this letter who have been encouraging and supportive in so many ways during our transition. Bob’s father’s condition stabilized and he returned home to begin his recovery from a broken leg. Bob’s brother-in-law David is currently undergoing intensive radiation for cancer.
On December 28th we completed our journey to Los Angeles to settle into a staff house on West 20th street. Our daughter Rebekah flew out with us, effectively doubling our strength and energy for the task. Her help was essential as sixteen Taylor University students would soon arrive for their Senior Capstone course. Bob has led the student trip before but never to Los Angeles and never under these circumstances! We received additional grace in the form of two eager young men, Byron Siemsen, a World Impact Missionary who developed our L.A. trip agenda, and Jon Cavanagh, Bob’s former student who helped to coordinate this year’s experience. Our visits to a variety of Los Angeles-area churches and urban ministries were both eye-opening for students and an intensive orientation to our new home base for Bob.
Our new location and way of life brings many adjustments! At least one of these is easy: since our arrival here we have enjoyed mostly sunny, warm days—a fantastic change from the Midwest. Other adjustments are more challenging: traffic, crime, noise, dirty air, and the high cost of groceries to name but a few. Here in the heart of this “city that never sleeps” we are making our home. Like Abraham we have come in order to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, and we look forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God (Hebrews 11:9-10).
Please pray for our transition and for healing for David and strength for Bob’s sister Belinda. Join us in asking the Lord that all who are touched by this situation to come to know that He is Healer, Sustainer, and Lord. Let us know how we can pray for you.
