Life was incredibly hard when we all were asked to move on from our former NGO in 2014. It was a point of anger, a point of confusion, a point of isolation. A chance to be humbled and seek His face and learn grace and walk in faith when we couldn't see the road.

Sidebar:  I can finally now say I pray for them semi-frequently and wish them the very best - an answer to a personal prayer. Thanks for the healing, God. It was all You. 

The 7 of us literally scattered the globe: 

2 returned home to retire, 

1 is teaching English north of the city, 

1 moved to Myanmar,

I’m of course with Alongsiders, 

and now I can say that the remaining 2 got re-assigned to an 

unreached people group in Russia! 

This new news, while fun to live vicariously through, has brought up old and new feelings alike. My overwhelming and understated thought today is this – 'deep sigh'.

Of the top 20 stresses in life, I’m told folks abroad like us live under 13 pretty consistently. Ouch.  How did folks who struck out on their own like Gladys Aylsward do it?

We especially need community, accountability, and encouragement… and when that’s disrupted by losing a confidante and neighbor we hit yet another wall we’ll scale with God’s sweet tenderness and strength.

Wall # 787 hit - check.

But let’s end on a high note – after they learn the language for a year or so there will be one less un-reached people group in the world! 

Plus I've always wanted to go to Russia! Hosts?  :)  

God, protect them as they go and start over. Give their children belonging and new friends. Open their minds to another new language. Introduce them to people of peace and divine appointments. Bless their efforts, keep them humble, and acclimate them quickly. Give them love for those around them as they learn in the city, and later for their people group. And may what they did in Cambodia still impact hearts and bear fruit in the years to come.