The Certainty of Uncertainty

About one month ago we boarded a plane in Tanzania to make an unexpected return trip to the US to be with John’s mother as she faces a battle with stage 4 breast cancer. We are so thankful for the Lord’s leading and provision throughout this journey.

As we arrived, there were so many unknowns, so many questions, and so much uncertainty. Even as I write this, we do not have answers to all of our questions. We walk by faith and not by sight. So we keep walking, taking the next step, comforted by the truth that God is in control and leading the way forward. We are truly living in “The Certainty of Uncertainty“!

Below we will share some of our uncertainty with you and a little of what is going on here in NC :)

How is Kittie doing?

John’s mom, Kittie, has stage 4 breast cancer which has spread to the liver, bones, and other areas of the body. She has been undergoing a heavy chemo treatment plan which started with chemo once a week. After a few weeks, the doctor backed off some by reducing the chemo a little, and now gives her one week off after every two weeks of chemo. She is holding up well although weak, but she is in good spirits. The doctor originally said she would need chemo the rest of her life, but we are hopeful for a better prognosis. We are so thankful for so many who are praying for her!

How long will we be here?

We are absolutely certain that we do not know the answer to this question :) This is unchartered territory for us, unlike a furlough with plans to return on a specific date. Although we would like to be back in TZ continuing on in the work there, we know the Lord has brought us back to have this precious time with Kittie. We believe we will know when it’s time to return in the same way we knew it was time to come. The Lord will show us :)

What will you be doing?

Right now we are continuing on with homeschool with our four children, trying to finish the school year. We are enjoying spending time with Kittie several days a week, and helping her in practical ways. John is speaking some at a few chapels as the Lord leads and opens up opportunities. We also have a Bible study each Tuesday evening in our home on the Gospel of John.

How is the work back in Tanzania?

I am very thankful for Gerald, my Tanzanian brother and partner in the work there in Ujiji. He is doing a great job keeping the maktaba open and teaching in the schools. He also grades Emmaus courses each week and shows the Gospel films each afternoon.

(Above) Gerald with the children of Karuta Primary School who sent their greetings and are praying for Kittie :)

(Below) Showing the King of Glory in the maktaba one afternoon this past week.

Will we start a Christian Camp in Ujiji?

As we continue to pray about this, the burden remains and even grows. We believe this is something the Lord wants to do there in Ujiji. There is a great piece of land available as mentioned in a previous blog post. It just has not been the right time yet, but we are continuing to pray and wait on the Lord. (Below) The Land that we hope to build a youth camp on in Ujiji.

One reason for the need to wait is the president of TZ died about 2 months ago, who was not favorable to foreign workers and missionaries. Many other assembly missionaries in TZ have been rejected on visa renewals, appeals, or even given a one year final issue stamp in their passports. Our group of CMML-TZ missionaries has filed for what is called “Charitable Status” and also an exemption from term limits, which, if granted, would allow us to stay in the country and serve the TZ people long term. Please pray with us about these two very important things.

(Below) CMML-TZ missionaries currently serving in TZ from the USA, UK, Germany, and Kenya. This was taken at our conference in Dodoma just before we returned to the US in April. 3/4 of these missionaries will not be in TZ next year if we are not granted these two things.

We are hopeful the new administration will be more favorable to missionaries than the former one was. These two things (Charitable Status & the exemption) will be extremely helpful and even necessary to allow us to continue with future work (Camp) in various parts of Tanzania.

Thankfully we serve the One who knows the future, the One who sees the end from the beginning! He has everyday of our lives written down in a book (Psalm 139:16) and He has prepared our works beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). As we mentioned before, we walk by faith not by sight. What will happen with Kittie’s battle with breast cancer?

How long will we be in the US?

Will we be granted Charitable Status and also given an exemption to continue serving the Lord in TZ?

Will we eventually build a youth camp in Ujiji, a predominantly Muslim village?

Welcome to

“The Certainty of Uncertainty”