God Provided a Time of Rest

One way we saw God go before was when He provided a place for us to rest.

We knew when we were leaving Mozambique, that we were tired and needed a period of rest away for everything.  A time of rest when we didn’t need to think about setting up a new home and adjusting back to our sending culture.  

We looked at different options but going from a missionary’s salary to a pastor’s salary didn’t leave a lot of extra.  We also were looking for something close to MAF headquarters, since that would be our starting location.  One day when Conrad was searching online, he stumbled on to the website of a small ranch that had some cabins for people in ministry.  They even had a scholarship program which if you accepted; your lodging was free for up to two weeks.

He applied.  At first, we were told that they didn’t have anything that would be big enough to house our family.  So we kept looking.  Then we got another email saying that if our kids were wiling to sleep in a camper right next to the cabin, they had an opening for us.  The kids thought this sounded like a wonderful adventure.  Best yet, they informed us that we qualified for the scholarship. 

We asked for a week, but once we were there for a couple of days, we realized how exhausted we truly were.  So we spoke to the couple in charge and they said we could stay until the next people came. So we enjoy 10 wonderful days of rest in this beautiful location.

We are so thankful for people who have a vision to support missionaries and people in full time ministry by providing a place for them to rest.  Living Springs Ranch scholarships are only available because generous people give to this ministry each month to cover their operating cost.  It’s hard to find the words to express what a huge blessing this was to our family. 

As we think back, we also stand in amazement how God went before and a provided a place at the price we could afford to give us a time of rest.

Enjoy some of our pictures from our time there.

Justin learning to start a fire.

We LOVED being surrounded by the pine woods.

There were beautiful flowers all over.

Many fires were built and enjoyed!

Our cabin and trailer

More beautiful flowers in creative ways

Butterflies were all over

There was even a friendly dog! Which the kids LOVED since they had to leave their dogs in Mozambique.

So much wonderful space to run and explore

Enjoying one of the trails around the ranch.

There was horses to feel.  We wouldn't talk about how many bags of carrots we bought during our 10 days. 😉

Fun times roasting marshmallows and (American) hot dogs!  No where else in the world have we found hot dogs that taste quite like the ones you buy here in America.

The views were breath taking, refreshing, and so relaxing.

This is one of my favorite pictures I took while there.  A couple of months ago, I added the verse to it.