Restored - Renewed - Ready

One week from today, April 23, Julie and I will begin our new assignments with Back2Back as trainers and coaches to all the Back2Back sites in Mexico, Haiti, India, Nigeria, and the Dominican Republic. As we anticipate this next transition, we are reflecting on our sabbatical. We are so grateful to God and Back2Back that we were able to take this extended time for rest, renewal, learning, and to get ready for the next chapter in the story that God is writing with our lives. We have considered it a great privilege to take this time and therefore have worked hard to be intentional with how we used it. We met with two pastors who had taken sabbaticals to ask what they learned, how they used the time, and what they would do differently if/when they receive another sabbatical. This information helped a lot as we planned and prepared.

More than ever, we've come to understand that we are pilgrims - in Spanish, peregrinos - who are on a pilgrimage. We are walking this journey we call life, but we have to remember that it's a long walk.

"When done intentionally, a pilgrimage offers unusual separation and solitude. In turn this gives you a chance to re-focus, re-orient, and take significant strides toward a healthier perspective of self, life, relationships, truth, and God." (Phileena Heuertz)

For the first three weeks of the sabbatical we went to a retreat center in Michigan called Alongside. We received intensive counseling and attended 28 seminars that covered many topics relevant to missionaries and people in ministry. It was very helpful and a good start toward renewal, and learning. We set priorities/goals for our sabbatical so that we didn't squander our time. Our top goal was to do whatever it took to get Julie to a healthier place. As of today, she's met with many different types of doctors (we're grateful for good, albeit expensive medical care) and been diagnosed and treated for a couple things. She is stronger now, but we can't say that she's healed. She's been on many antibiotics and tried many diets. She will continue to pursue natural treatments hoping to, as she says, make her body an unfriendly place for parasites and get her "gut" healthy. Please continue to pray for this process, for her strength, and for patience. A second goal was to love on our kids and family in a way that we haven't been able to for awhile. Suffice it to say we've had many dinners together, attended activities together, and just hung out a lot. This Wednesday we will celebrate Eliza's 25th birthday. We are so so grateful for some very sweet times with family. Another goal we had was to set up our home here in Noblesville. This felt a little foreign to us, having rented apartments in MX for six years. But Julie did an awesome job making a house into a very welcoming and warm home where we look forward to hosting many gatherings with friends and family. In many ways it felt we were newlyweds setting up our first home together. Finally, we both had reading lists. One book that we both read and loved was by Beth Guckenberger (Back2Back Co-Executive Director), called Start With Amen. I highlighted a LOT in this book, but I will only share a few sentences that impacted me. "A prayer that starts with amen lets go. It pivots and feels conviction and makes course corrections. It's an eager student and doesn't care who gets credit. Its highest goal is to put God on display" Wow! That's a challenge. But one I'm taking on. One other aspect of this time was walking. Julie and I walked a lot. We use this time to talk to each other, but also to listen to and talk with God.

Nick was accepted into the Informatics program at IUPUI (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis) in January and has found his academic stride. In addition to a full load, he's been working at a hotel near campus. He bought a bike so he didn't need a car. His grades have been phenomenal. We're so proud of him and grateful that he is living within 30 minutes of us. But he may transfer to IU Bloomington next semester.

Last week Eliza and Nate moved from Upland, IN to Noblesville! They are only 7 minutes from us

and we LOVE it! Nate still works at Habitat for Humanity and Eliza is in between jobs, but has been selling paintings and is excited about the prospects of having her own business. They both have entrepreneurial hearts. (This is one of Eliza's paintings. It was auctioned for over $400.)

• Please continue to pray for Julie's health. For wisdom for the doctors and us. And ultimately for healing. 
• Pray for our transition into our new roles, that we will be quick learners and add value to the development at all the sites. We will travel a lot in May in MX and the U.S.
• Pray for the new directors and staff at the Cancun site. We continue to be grateful for their passion and vision for the site and their love for the families and children they serve. 
• Pray that God will be on display through our lives and the work that Back2Back is doing around the world. We're grateful to be part of such and amazing organization that God is using to serve orphans and marginalized families in significant ways. 

Humbled & Grateful.
erick & julie