01 Dec Saying Goodbye
Life Update
Hi Friends and Family,
Mitchell and I pray you are all doing well. I know we have not sent an update in a few months, and a lot has changed since our last newsletter, so we thought it was time to update you on our life and what’s happening with us.
After spending much time in prayer and seeking God for many months on what He is wanting us to do, Mitchell and I have decided to move back to Indiana for a time. This was a difficult decision for us, and we definitely fought God on it for bit, but we really do feel like this is what He is asking us to do for now. We have every intention of returning to the mission field, but we aren’t sure what that will look like for us or where that will be. We feel God has asked us to come home for this next season to rest, receive fresh vision and clarity for our future, be surrounded by friends and family, and hopefully start a family of our own one day soon! It’s been nearly 2 years since we were last home, so we are very excited to be home in December and spend Christmas with family! I’m sorry we do not have more information for you at this time but we will keep you updated throughout this process over the coming months. Although we will not be overseas as ‘missionaries’ in the coming months, our lives are a mission field where ever we are, so we will continue to minister to those God places in our paths daily.
Reflection
The past (almost) 4 years in Cambodia have been full of some of the best memories of our lives. We have spent the majority of our marriage here and have been through some of the best and most difficult times of our lives while being here, but most importantly we have grown through it all!
We have had the privilege of watching God do so many things that our hearts desired to see during our time here. To name a few…
- Iris Cambodia is now made up of majority Cambodian team members. We have seen them grow in their identities in Christ and become amazing men and woman of God. Many have moved into leadership positions and are now leading the majority of projects in the organization. Khmer people reaching Khmer people for Jesus was our dream from the very beginning.
- We saw God do so much in our homeless outreach project. Most of the children that we worked with that were massively at risk or actively being abused have been rescued and placed into safe homes where they are free to be children and learn about an amazing Father who loves them. Our team has also poured into multiple families and they have been empowered to move off of the streets and seek a life of stability through employment and a home they can call their own.
- We got to witness God expand the reach and impact of the organization exponentially in our time here. Iris Cambodia is reaching more at-risk children and families through new projects and community outreaches than ever before.
- Most importantly, we are leaving Cambodia with more of God than when we arrived. We have grown in our understanding of Gods heart for the poor, the needy, and the broken. We have learned more of what it means to completely depend of him when you are at the end of yourself. And lastly we feel we understand more that it truly is all about Jesus, his glory, his name, he is the reason for everything.
Although we are heartbroken to be leaving Cambodia, we are excited to see what God has planned for us next. We would love to be back on the mission field as soon as possible, we just need to know when and where. So please be praying for us to receive clarity and vision for what’s next.
Some Practical Notes:
- If you are giving financially to us and would like to stop, please send me an email at belovedministriesglobal@gmail.com .
- If you would like to continue to give to our non-profit, the money will continue to stay in our BeLoved Ministries fund and will be used for ministry when we return to the mission field in the future.
- If you would like to get together with us while we are back in the States, send me a message on social media or email me and we would love to see you!
Thank you!
Seriously, thank you all so much for supporting us and for believing in us over the years. Many lives were touched and changed because of your love and support!
Love & Blessings!
Mitchell & Jillian
We are saying lots of goodbyes and making the most of our last weeks with these amazing people!
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