Chim-Chimney!!

“and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.” Acts 18:3

While we are raising funds to go back out, Sam has taken a temporary job. He is working at Matchless Stove and Chimney, a business owned by Angie’s father. This will be covering the costs of living here in the U.S. so we can put all that we raise toward our calling “to the nations”. We aren’t literal tent-makers, but working with family in the Hearth Industry translates very nicely to the quoted verse. We are truly staying with them and working.

It wasn’t the obvious choice at first. We came back to NY with the singular aim of getting “back to the mission field” and getting to Berlin. We began to pray and work through this. Our thinking was, keep costs extremely low, focus on fund-raising, and launch as soon as possible.

All the while, we have benefitted by staying with Angie’s parents in a really nice basement apartment they had put in with this kind of thing in mind. The kids are enjoying laughter-filled summer days playing with cousins that they may not see very often when we leave the country full-time. Working and playing, let’s face it, community living has its benefits!

“I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:33-35

Missions is our calling and passion. And while we are here in the U.S. we want to follow the examples laid out by the Apostles and work to “lighten the burden” on those who support us.

To this end, we have set our date of departure for December 26th. Although this represents a delay and a shift in plans, our hosts and employers have a busy season coming up and could really use our help in getting them through it. Also, a little hard work alongside loved ones is a tonic all its own. This is truly a wonderful season for our family!