Thursday, January 11, 2018

January 2018 Update and an Announcement

Dear friends and family,

I had originally planned to write a newsletter at the end of third term last year, but as I have some important updates to go give you I decided to wait until the new year. And then I found out that this year was not going to be starting as planned, so maybe it’s a good thing I waited! I was able to spend December in Texas; it was a wonderful time with family and friends, and I am so incredibly thankful to the Lord for making it possible. There were also several things I needed to do while I was Stateside, one of the most pressing of which was related to some ongoing health issues I have been having.

As you probably remember, I have been dealing with chronic pain in my right shoulder for the last three and a half years. While I was home I had two massage appointments to work on the big knot that spasms and causes me so much discomfort. Because I missed one of my appointments and had to reschedule, I had an appointment with a professional who because of her personal experience was able to more precisely diagnose the source of the pain and show me a new stretch to combat the issue. So, while my days of shoulder pain are not finished, I am encouraged to have more information and a practical way to work on managing the issue.

Another major struggle for the last four months has been an injury to my left ankle. When I wrote my last newsletter I was already dealing with it, but I figured it was a sprain that would clear up in a week or two and so didn’t mention it. There was no definite moment of injury, but a week before third term started it became extremely painful for me to walk. Being a teacher at a boarding school I couldn’t really do anything about being on my feet all day, so I toughed it out for two months before seeking the school nurse who gave me a wrap and had me take ibruphen to deal with the serious swelling I was experiencing. Since my ankle had only improved slightly, I had an appointment with a podiatrist right before heading back to Sakeji. Sadly, the news isn’t good. I have posterior tibial tendonitis, which means that I have almost worn out the major supporting tendon in my left foot. Some of the damage to the foot is unfortunately going to be permanent, but with a major brace and arch support there is hope for healing and a mobile life going forward. It was a pretty hard thing to hear and deal with, but the brace is already making a big difference in the amount of pain I deal with day to day, and I am hopeful that I will be able to take my much-missed daily walks again.

While I had a good trip back to Zambia, I arrived only to find that schools were not going to be opening in January because of a Cholera outbreak in Lusaka. At the moment the boards or education and health will be reassessing the situation on January 30th; we are praying that we will be able to go ahead and open the first weekend in February. If we are able to start school right away, we will have to extend two weeks into the holiday which will make what was planned to be a 10 week term a 9 week one and cut into the April holiday, but it seems to be the best way forward at the moment. So, prayers for wisdom as we await the government’s decision and try to prepare as best we can.

And now, I have one other important thing to share with you. After much prayer and seeking the Lord’s will over the last three years, I have decided that 2018 will be my last year at Sakeji Mission School. Just as it was absolutely right for me to head out on faith in 2010, is now time for me to again step out in faith. I do not know exactly what the Lord is calling me to next, but as I continue to pray over my future I have some ideas of what I want to do when I return to the States permanently in December. There are many circumstances that have lead to this decision including my health issues and the closure of my home church sometime this year. I am thankful for my time at Sakeji; while it has been far from easy, I have learned to much about myself, the Lord, and life in these years. I look forward to the next adventure He is calling me to, and know with confidence that He has prepared me through my time in Zambia.

So, please pray for healing physically, pray for wisdom to leave Sakeji well, and pray for strength and help during this time of transition as I have many decisions to make, many emotions to sort through, and many ends to tie up. I have a lot of big challenges facing me in my classroom this year, and I feel that I am specifically called for one more year to help certain students with big challenges of their own. I know that my God is faithful, and that He has been and always will be right beside me as I continue the adventure of a life lived for Him. Thank you so much for all your prayers, support, and encouragement over the years. As we go into 2018, may we each become a little more Christlike, and serve Him with all our hearts wherever He has called us.

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