Editor’s note: The following post was made by the Jores on their blog on June 2o, 2012. You can read much more and see some wonderful photos on their blog.
We made it!
Thank you for your prayers during our intense week of packing up and traveling. We have been stateside for almost 4 weeks already, so that crazy week seems like a distant memory. Everything went very well. We were able to pick up the boys’ passports at the Immigration Dept. on our way to the airport. The paperwork they were needed for was literally being stamped when Nate walked in the office. So thankful. The kids traveled very well, and we had a lot of help along the way. There were so many gracious people that stopped to give a hand when we needed it. We almost felt like a reality show as we traipsed through airports and got settled on our flights. It seems that not many people travel with 5 little kids!
These past weeks have been refreshing and encouraging to all of us. It has been wonderful to reconnect with family and friends, and to just be still a bit. The kids have transitioned easily. We hear “I love America!” frequently. They are loving all of the time spent with their cousins and grandparents, as well as the many perks of life here (i.e. mac & cheese in abundance, driving fast, non-malaria-inflicting mosquitoes, riding bikes, playing at parks). Amidst all of the fun of living here, we are being intentional about reminding them of where they have come from. We don’t want to forget those we have left for this season.
Last week we attended the AFLC Annual Conference in Thief River Falls. We walked away with deep gratitude and joy in our hearts. It is incredible to be surrounded, supported, loved and prayed for by such an amazing group of people. To hear many of you say, “Our family prays for your family every night,” surprised and humbled us. Thank you. Those words cannot begin to communicate how deeply grateful we are. God has sustained us and will continue to sustain us with the help of your prayers. We need you. You truly hold us up.
Our itinerary for these next months is listed below. We look forward to seeing many of you as we travel!
June 11-15: AFLC Annual Conference in Thief River Falls, MN
July 1: Christ the King Free Lutheran in Pipestone, MN
July 8: Dalton Parish in Dalton, MN
July 18: Grace Free Lutheran in Maple Grove, MN (evening picnic at French Park)
July 22: Our Saviour’s Free Lutheran in Zumbrota, MN
July 25: Christ the King Free Lutheran in Wilson, WI
July 29-Aug 4: Family Camp at the ARC in Osceola, WI (Nate will share at the Mon and Tues 11am workshops)
Aug 6-10: Nate will attend SIT (Summer Institute of Theology) at the AFLC headquarters in Plymouth, MN
Aug 12: West Prairie Free Lutheran in Kindred, ND
Aug 15: Our Saviour’s Free Lutheran in Dickinson, ND
Aug 16: Zion Free Lutheran in Tioga, ND
Aug 19: Bethel Free Lutheran in Minot, ND
Aug 26 am: Hope Free Evangelical Lutheran in Ishpeming, MI
Aug 26 pm: Redeemer Free Lutheran in Ontonagon, MI
Sept 2: Living Hope in Elk River, MN (evening BBQ)
Sept 9: Green Lake WMF Missions Festival in Spicer, MN
Sept 16: St. John’s Lutheran Missions Festival in Milford, IL
Sept 23: Ruthfred Lutheran in Bethel Park, PA
Sept 26: Peace Lutheran in Canal Winchester, OH
Oct 7 am: Redeemer Free Lutheran in Canton, SD
Oct 7 pm: Living Word Free Lutheran in Sioux Falls, SD
Oct 13: WMF Rally at Our Savior’s in Argyle, MN
Oct 14: Fergus Falls Faith Festival at Calvary Free Lutheran in Fergus Falls, MN
Oct 21: Maranatha Free Lutheran in Glyndon, MN
Oct 30: Student Missions Fellowship at AFLBS
We are so grateful for you, intercessors.
