What in the world…?!
The Question You’ve All Been Asking; Why?
The Question You’ve All Been Asking; Why?
One of the very first questions people asked when we decided to move overseas was “Why?” Why would you leave everyone and everything you know to go to -places- -you’ve- -never- -been- -to- and actually LIVE there?
Truth be told, the thought was terrifying in the beginning. I mean, can it be any crazier than that?
But it was also exciting and exhilarating! We’ve never even been outside the US except for one trip into British Columbia(which was amazing btw) to see the source of the Columbia River.
So what would make us even think about such a life-altering change?
First of all, WE’VE NEVER BEEN OUTSIDE OF THE US!
So why not just take a vacation?
Taking a 2 week vacation somewhere would never give us the time we wanted to immerse ourselves in the culture of a country. You simply cannot experience how local people live in that short amount of time.
Plus, you end up being just a consumer instead of truly making a point to invest in the community. We were so excited to attend and be a part of the fundraising dinner for the orphanage in Sarande. That would not have been possible had we not stayed and become friends with those hosting the event at their restaurant, whom also have a heart for the kids in the orphanage.
And honestly, the costs….The costs associated with a short vacation are astronomical. The opportunities to see more places once we are overseas are endless.(There’s Rome again…I promise that story is coming!)
Another reason we chose to upend our lives is because we realized during the pandemic we needed a shift in our careers. We were both working long hard hours and had to find space to breathe again. Don’t get me wrong, we are very grateful for the jobs we had and loved them and the people we worked with. We still thank God for them. But we were exhausted. And the political climate in the US only made it worse. It was time to take a collective breath TOGETHER for an extended period of time.
Ultimately, though, we had an opportunity we simply could not say no to; the chance to walk where Jesus and his disciples walked. I will let Jeff share his own story. But for me, above all else, I am on a pilgrimage.
I want to see and be a part of The Church Christ started. I want to worship in the places Paul, Barnabas and Mark worshiped, like Paphos, Cyprus and Athens, Greece. I want to be a part of the celebrations in Thessaloniki, Greece for Great and Holy Pascha(Easter) and the time of Great Lent leading up to that. I want to visit the Churches in Ephesus and Constantinople.
And God willing, I will get to walk in Israel to the places Jesus ministered.
Our health is great and we are “empty nesters”. So we mutually decided the time is NOW. God willing, we will get to share some of this with our family. And who knows…maybe YOU too!