The Journey: What This Year Entails

Planes, train…ings, and soccer balls

Well, the most common question I get after telling people that we are trying to do this goes something like… “Really?? Why??”

Well, after recapping our calling and how we found the hospital, the next most common question is, “Well, when are you going?”

So, let’s talk about what this crazy year will entail before we head out for Ethiopia.

The final Countdown: Wrapping up the MBA

I have eight weeks left for my MBA classes – that’s the good news. The bad news is that I must complete four classes… simultaneously. So please pray that I can get this done, or better yet, offer to pick up a class for me (I would be extremely grateful!). But come mid-October, I should be all done with this degree and eagerly anticipating graduation in December.

Crazy travel plans:

Since this is our last year in the States for a while, we want to prioritize family time while we can. So, we will visit Rachel’s family in California for their family reunion in Yosemite toward the end of September. Then, we will continue our trek across the world to visit my mom’s family in Korea. The Korea trip was supposed to happen in March of 2020, but a little something called a pandemic happened, which put the kibosh on those travel plans.

So, we will finally make that trip and get a chance to show our kids Korea and meet some family members for the first time (some whom I haven’t seen in 20 years, in particular, my aging grandmother). This will also be the first long overseas flight for our kids, so it will be a “practice run” for our family for our flight to Ethiopia next year. If you’re reading this and saying… “Wait, what about the MBA classes?”… I know… as I said, it's a crazy year, and my offer to pick up a class still stands!

Training:

In addition to the MBA classes, we have several pre-field requirements that we need to complete for our organization and the hospital. Bible classes, security training, and books to read are just some of the things that we will need to do prior to our departure.

The Art of Selling… Everything:

Selling our house, cars, and possessions. It's like a reality show no one asked for – "Trading Comfort for Chaos.” However, it is how Rachel and I feel we are being called to proceed. While we may start downsizing and getting rid of some things now, we will honestly be able to prioritize this effort in the spring.

Support Raising:

In addition to all the training seminars that we are required to attend, we plan on visiting several cities to visit friends, visit churches, and support raise. “Coming soon to a city near you…”

Side Note: If you would like us to come talk to your church or group, we would love the opportunity to sit down with anybody! Or if you want to hit up that Partner With Us page, please do!

Ballet and Soccer Balls:

With so many transitions coming for our kids, we wanted to give them some semblance of normalcy outside of just going to school. So, we will have plenty of ballet classes, gymnastics classes, and soccer practices/tournaments this coming year to help them find an activity that will keep them active but also grounded in something regular and unlikely to change over the coming year.

So if all goes to plan, we should be heading out to Ethiopia sometime next summer. As I look ahead to the coming year, I can't help but marvel at the incredible adventure that awaits. From celebrating the finale of my MBA journey (that can’t get here soon enough) to embarking on whirlwind travel escapades, tackling the ever-building list of pre-field training requirements, even mastering the delicate art of ballet buns and dance recitals and cheering on pint-sized soccer stars – it's safe to say we're in for a year of heartwarming chaos. Amidst the whirlwind of selling odds and ends, raising support, and juggling schedules resembling a complex symphony, one thing remains certain: laughter must be our constant companion. I know that things are going to get messed up. Hopefully, things won’t get missed, but with our crazy schedules, I am sure something will fall through the cracks. I hope you will help us find the joy in the chaos and laugh with us. So, here's to a year of growth, giggles, and unforgettable moments as we navigate this wild ride together – a year that promises to be as unpredictable as a soccer match and as beautifully choreographed as a ballet recital. Let's make it extraordinary!

If you would like to learn more about how you can help us on this journey, please click the link below!