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We have watched God do amazing things on Eleuthera over the past 8 years. We have been blessed to help train over 100 church leaders, 6 of which will be finishing their 4 year program this December. We have seen our WHS students go on to university and graduate with more full ride scholarships than any other school in the past 5 years. We have served with hundreds of short term missionaries summer after summer to turn this depreciating campus into a first class institution boasting with the only research lab on the island, hydroponic gardens, a solar array for alternative energy, and classrooms that are conducive to both teaching and learning with upgraded furnishings and technology. During our time at Windermere we’ve watched God build a new missionary team, whereas once we were the only full-time missionaries, now we have 11, and looking for more!
The list of accomplishments and blessings is undoubtably boundless, even as we look to how we’ve grown as a family. In many ways it feels like we’re just getting going, and the school is starting to run on all-cylinders.
However, through much prayer we’ve decided that starting this December we will be leaving Eleuthera on an extended leave of absence or “furlough” as it is commonly called, to return home and care for my father who has been suffering with a form of “ALS.” Dad has lost freedom of mobility and my mother lovingly serves as his only caregiver. As a family we are eternally grateful for all my parent’s friends and church family who have come alongside and helped fill in the gap, however, we believe that now we ought to be privileged with that task.
For the foreseeable future, we are asking our supporters to prayerfully consider carrying us for 1 year on furlough. I am remaining as the official Campus Coordinator and Vice Principal of the school, and the existing staff here are going to divide up my responsibilities while I’m away. I will be returning to the island at various “critical” times in the year in order to continue in my role of “captain of the ship” (as they call me), until we can discern whether a permanent move or return back to the island is the next step.
Thank you for journeying with us, many of you, for the past 15 years of our involvement in ministry on Eleuthera. We know God will do great things, for we have seen Him do great things. Thank you now for continuing the journey as we walk by faith to care for our parents. We believe by faith, this is only the beginning and the best is yet to come.
But if she has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.
1 Timothy 5:4