Back in the USA

 Greetings from Dallas, Oregon!

 

You may remember our last update was from Costa Rica.  After landing in Boise, Idaho we have been very busy.  You might say we hit the ground running.  We enjoyed our son’s wedding celebration and getting to know the family of Lance’s wife, Erica.  We were exhausted, physically and mentally when we arrived in Boise and welcomed a little sabbath rest on Sundays to attend church with my (Paul’s) sister Linda. One day we went to the Boise zoo with our daughter Kelly, granddaughter Irely and niece Shahla. Our daughter Joy and her husband Patrick came for the celebration and we returned to Dallas, Oregon for a longer visit with them. Connecting with family has been a welcome change for both of us.

 

Ministry - We are praying about where the Lord wants us and are confident, He will reveal that to us at the time of His choosing.  Personally, I’m the kind of person who wants to know yesterday and then get going!  I’m sure there are a number of you who can relate.  We’ve already met with staff at Missionary Aviation Fellowship in Nampa (near Boise) and the folks at Village Missions headquarters in Dallas, Oregon. We hope to visit churches, friends and supporters in Southern Oregon this fall. We will also spend a week in Central Oregon to debrief with our friends Tim and Erica Harris.

Reverse Culture Shock - We have already received some great coaching from Tim and Erica Harris. Part of their ministry is to missionaries like us who are returning to the US after living overseas. We have been aware of the phenomena known as “Reverse Culture Shock” for many years, but to actually experience it is more uncomfortable than expected. Tim and Erica’s suggestions for reentering the US pertain to three areas:

1. Our head – Learning new information by reading some books about expatriates returning to their home culture.

2. Our heart – Related to our continued spiritual formation by maintaining our Bible reading and praying together.

3. Our hands – Working through logistics like finding and purchasing suitable transportation, purchasing car insurance, changing to US phone numbers, and learning where to shop.

These are a few things we are working on as we integrate back into life in the U.S. Much has changed and there are many distractions!!!

We are grateful to have served the Lord in Costa Rica. It was the Lord’s faithfulness, coupled with your support, prayers and financial gifts, that was critical to our ministry overseas. It is our hope that you will continue with us on this journey.  Information about how to make a donation is on our blog https://paulnbridget-thejourney.blogspot.com/p/donate.html . Please pray for us as we transition back.  We know the Lord has something ahead for us and we look forward to our next assignment.

 

To God be the glory!

Paul and Bridget Abbott