The New Plan

I'm 3 days short of 1 month back in the US and it's very hard to believe that so much time has gone by already! I've been living the small town life along side my parents and have noticed so many charms of such a place for the first time! I'd scheduled a week and a half in Houston to interview for jobs and set up temporary housing with friends, but a few days before my departure, my plans took another twist.

"Job and housing in Houston?" many of you may be asking. Well yes, it's true that I can not go right back to Brazil in January as I'd hoped. Early on in my stay there I found out that the Visa info. I'd been given was old policy and though my Visa is called a "5-year Visa" it only allows Americans with my qualifications in for 6 months per year (beginning the day you enter). I boohoo'd and questioned many things until the Lord began to call my faith out in a new way.

I will be elligible for 6 more months in Brazil next August 1st and have been dilligently asking the Father to lead me in accordance with His will while taking steps towards life back in Houston (my US home) unless I heard from Him otherwise. Well...I did (TOTALLY not expecting it).

My older sister is pregnant with her 4th child and having complications that mean she needs to stay in bed most of the day for the next 3.5 months. Her husband's job requires a lot of travel and she needs someone to take care of her, the other 3 kids (6, 4, and 1), and the home 24/7. Their almost desperate request came about 2 weeks ago while my sister was in the hospital and it seemed pretty obvious to me that this is the Lord's will for my next few months.

I cried at the thought of calling friends in Houston and telling them that our plans were off, but I think I'm starting to get the hang of trusting God through sudden and huge changes of direction. I admit that it has been a real struggle to be ok with not knowing any of the future, releasing fear of people's judgements while I wait, and not knowing for sure if the coming home from Brazil is for now, or for always...but God has been administering His grace to me in these areas and I have been enjoying increasing joy and peace as I walk in the direction of His will as well as I understand it.

I want you to know that I'm not living off of any of the money given for work in Brazil. I was able to save some of it during this last leg and with it I'm planning to send some support to a young Brazilian pastor who's given up a city church to live among, and disciple Quilombolas! There should even be a little more beyond that and I'll save it for my next trip (Lord willing!). If you still feel led to give, know that it will be carefully given to aid spreading of the gospel through Brazil. There is tremendous need there and a little goes a long way. I am always aware of the sacrifice that many of you made for this Kingdom purpose. May the Lord bless you with loads of spiritual blessing in return!

Would you mind praying for me as I transition into a new ministry that feels way more over my head than Brazil was? Please pray that God will fill me with physical strength for long, active hours, love lived out, and works that I can not even imagine...for His the glory of His name! I'm sure I'm entering another season of major heart change. I'm both nervous and thankful.

Praise be to God who does all things well.

In the US

Hi friends! Sorry to have disappeared from blog world. I'm in Texas, having an incredible time with family and friends and finally have direction for these next few months in the US. If it is news to you that I can not go right back to Brazil in January, as I'd planned, I will explain on here very soon. I just wanted to say hi, that I'm doing super well, and am eager to report to you what the Lord did in my last week in Salvador and perhaps a few of the equally as rich things since.

Have I told you lately how grateful I am for your prayers and friendship? I SO am! Please don't stop.

Love in Christ,

Sarah