My blog has been quiet and there is a reason. We have been packing this week. Our airplane takes off tomorrow at 7:00am from our lovely, comfortable little city of Simferopol.... our home.
And where are we headed, you ask? We are leaving for Israel for three months. Our visas were denied, and it is a long explanation as to why, but the easiest way to explain it is by saying that it has a lot to do with the region of Ukraine in which we live.
Instead of returning to America to wait until summer, we are going to continue our work... just in a different location. Our hearts are torn in two different directions. Of course, we want to stay here where it is comfortable and where we are already accepted, loved, and happy to be. But, on the other hand, we have come to see how the Lord is asking us to follow His leading over the next three months.
This new direction is a little scary and a step into the unknown. But, we are trusting our Father and His path for us. We want what our Father wants, and this decision comes as a result of long hours of prayer and counsel.
As hubby's Uncle Tommy Ashcraft wrote in an e-mail to us today, "The field is the world, but we all have attachments to the places where God has called us." That pretty much sums up how we feel.
Please keep us in your prayers, my wonderful friends, and I will update you when I can.
May this interlude be used by our Lord for His glory. We do not see clearly what He has in mind, but in hindsight, we see His hand in all that is done. God will continue to bless His work and his workers. You walk on beautiful feet, you know.
ReplyDeleteOh Jolene - this must be so very difficult for you! I've been praying for you about these visas, and although it's disappointing to hear, our Father is indeed in control, and must have some reason for the change.
ReplyDelete"The LORD your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness, where you have seen how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place.'" (Deuteronomy 1:30-31)
Continuing to pray for you all.
Love in Him,
Steph
tears are falling for you, dear friend. Praying for you as you begin this new chapter. This morning in his sermon my husband mentioned how sometimes we pray and pray for something and God doesn't answer our prayers. Then a few months later we realize that His plans are so much better then ours. It's not always easy. Love, Maria
ReplyDeleteOh dear! Praying for you and your sweet family. I know you will be missed in Sim City.
ReplyDeleteOh no! I'm so sorry to hear this, Jolene! I know you will be sorely missed by your church family in Simferopol. But the Lord is not surprised and we will definitely be praying for you as you follow the Lord's leading in this next chapter of your service to Him.
ReplyDeletePraying for you all, Jolene. Sure appreciate your family's dedication to following the Lord's leading.
ReplyDeleteGod is using David and you in an awesome way. Y'all are the perfect husband and wife team that God will use mightily for His work and glory this year in Israel.
ReplyDeleteHebrews 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, (21) Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Y'all are one of my favorite Missionary couples.
Dream Big and Live for God,
Kenny Cantrell
Psalms 149:6
Will def keep your family in prayer, Mrs. Sloan! Thank you for taking the time to keep us updated.
ReplyDeleteLove you, my friend. Your faith humbles me. You will be in my prayers as you head out on this new adventure for the Lord. Can't wait to hear from you when you get there.
ReplyDeleteGod has some awesome work for you to do in this coming year in the country of Israel for his Glory. God needed an exceptional Missionary couple to complete this work, so He moved only as He can, to get y'all where you need to be. I look forward to seeing a great accomplishment in Israel as God moves.
ReplyDeleteHebrews 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, (21) Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Dream Big and Live For God,
Kenny Cantrell
Psalms 149:6
I can only imagine how this must be for you all, but know that "...as for my God, His way is perfect!" I will be praying that the Lord would continue to use your family in a great and mighty way and that you would be able to return home soon!
ReplyDeleteWe sure will be praying,Jolene! This must be very difficult to leave your home (I love how the Lord "attatches" us to the field He has called us to!) but, your willingness to obey the Lord's leading is a great example...especially to us other misionaries. Keep us updated! Where will you be staying?
ReplyDeleteJolene, I am sad for you for having to leave your home and your people but I am excited to see what God has for your family and His people. Praying for you wherever God may place you.
ReplyDeleteJolene, I am so sad for you as you leave your home and people but praying for you as God leads you to where He wants you and His people. I know this is hard but praying for you wherever God places you.
ReplyDeletePraying for you right now. Excited to hear about your time in Israel, but also understand how hard it is to leave your home.
ReplyDeletePraying for you all! I KNOW God will use you no matter where you are! What a great adventure to be in Israel though! I know how your heart must be hurting. Please keep us posted on what you are able to do there. Love ya, Nancy
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful testimony of burying your heart on the mission field God has called you to. We will be praying.
ReplyDeleteWhat a testimony!! You have buried your heart on the mission field God has called you to. We will be praying for you all.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine how hard it must be for you to leave your people, life and beautiful home that you have worked so hard on but thankful that it's 3 months! I hope you can still update when you are in Israel! Looking forward to hearing from you when you can and praying for you.
ReplyDeletePraying for you and your family. I can't imagine how tough that is.
ReplyDeleteJolene, I am so sorry to hear this. I'm thankful that you are able to not have to come back home and wait. I will be praying for your family and this new direction. It's amazing to know that no matter what ~ God has complete control over the situation. I can't wait to hear about the work that your family will be doing in Israel.
ReplyDeleteI know yu must surely be torn, but t is so wonderful to see your family so willing and ready to follow the Lord's leading. I will certainly be praying for you. I'll also be waiting to hear from you whenever you are able to update us. We love you all. I'll pass rpthe message along to my husband as well as our church. Gail
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear this news, but great to hear about the next step in your lives! The best place to be is right where the Lord wants us, whether it is Ukraine, Israel, or USA. May His peace be with all of you!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Karen! God sees our paths so clearly and has so many wonderful things in store for us. Sometimes I look back and see what it is He was doing in our lives and wonder why I ever doubted!
DeleteJolene,
ReplyDeleteI am sure that God has a greater plan in all this then we can even imagine. We are praying for you all. Please keep us posted as you can.
Praying for the Lord's peace and guidance as you leave your home for a time. Those unexpected curves in the road can turn out to be some of the Lord's best blessings!
ReplyDeleteDear Jolene,
ReplyDeleteYou and your husband's call made my week, actually more like my year!!! I will continue to pray for you and your family as well as for your church in Ukraine. Living in Israel is such a blessing and being able to walk where Jesus walked and taught is a blessing. To minister there and honor those who have lost loved one's for fighting for Israel is beyond amazing! I will write you an email soon but may God grant you strength and keep you safe.
Love,
Alexis
Praying for you. I know it is hard to have to leave your people. I pray God will give you more people in Israel. He has definitely prepared your family for Russian Jews. I know He will use you there!
ReplyDeleteMiss Jolene, Thank you so much for making known to us your situation. Your sweet spirit is a rebuke to mine that more often than not, I don't have a "clue", and here you & your husband don't have a choice.
ReplyDeleteMay God BLESS your family as you go, encourage your heart, and show you GREAT & MIGHTY things you know not.
The Lord be with you,
Loretta Smith
Hebrews 10:24
I am so sorry to hear this but am trusting with you that God's will is perfect. I look forward to hearing how He uses this time and am praying for all of the details of this time away from home. May God bless your family tremendously as you faithfully follow Him to the ends of the earth!
ReplyDeleteI will be praying for you. What a sweet promise to know that God will never leave you nor forsake you." I am excited for you to see what He has planned. I appreciate your testimony.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that you have to leave your beautiful home and all you know, but I trust God will guide you in your life! Rebecca Gage
ReplyDeleteWe just got back, and I came right over here to see if you had written anything. I'm praying for you!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that you are having to be uprooted but so exited to see that God is going to do with/through you!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry your whole world is being turned upside down, but so excited to see what God is going to do with/through you!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how hard this is for all of you...I will be praying for you, friend! May the peace of God fill your hearts as you prepare to move...HUGS
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how hard this is for you and for your whole family! Praying for you. May the peace of God fill your hearts as life around you changes...Many prayers and HUGS
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of your situation. Isn't it good to know that God is still in control and knew this was going to happen. I just came back from leading a tour to Israel. If you guys wind up being there for a while, maybe we will get to see you. I will probably be leading a tour there again in about 2 years. We are praying for you guys.
ReplyDeleteBrett & Janell Pennell
I'm praying for you, sweet friend! May God encourage you and guide you into this new chapter! Love, Hannah
ReplyDeleteOh, dear! I can't imagine the emotional upheaval you're all feeling right now. What a blessing that in the midst of all this seeming "confusion", we can rest that God is working His perfect plan for you. I will be praying for you to have a smooth transition to your transition in Israel, and that God will give you His perfect peace as you wait on Him!
ReplyDelete~Lisa
(We're having internet problems, so I can't sign in with my account, but I'm the Lisa in Zambia.) :-)
Your family will be in our prayers!
ReplyDeletePraying God's grace for you today.
ReplyDeletePatty
I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm dreadfully behind on all my blog reading so I'm just now getting around to commenting. Will be praying for you!
ReplyDeleteOh! Jolene! Praying for you, dear friend! My heart is aching for you as I know how you feel!
ReplyDeletePraying for you and your sweet family!
ReplyDeleteI'm praying for you often, and I keep checking back in hope of finding an update.
ReplyDelete(We're just an inch away from getting residency, or so it seems. Please pray for that.)
You are so sweet, Phyllis! Thanks for making me feel so loved.
DeletePraying for you my dear friend!
ReplyDeletePraying for you all. May the Lord give your hearts peace.
ReplyDeletePraying for you during this time of transition!
ReplyDeleteWould you mind giving us glimpses of Israel in the same way you have Ukraine? Dream trip for me. What a privilege for you and your family. It will be an adventure for you together. His Purpose & His Plan. I know you will bless the Lord there!
ReplyDeleteAww Jolene!! My heart aches for you..i can just see you write this blog post with tears... So bittersweet...praying for your family ♥ Love You so much Friend! ♥
ReplyDeletePraying for you all. I always love the saying, "our disappointments are God's appointments.
ReplyDeleteI love you, Jolene, & you & your family will be in our thoughts and prayers "extra". ♥ Isa. 26:3&4
ReplyDeleteWill be praying for you and for God's Will! Love you all!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your hearts are torn, Mrs. Jolene. Just remember that God has a people in Simferopol who have grown under your ministries and who will exercise their spiritual muscles more in the coming months. Now you can sow the same seeds of faithfulness to God's Chosen People - truly an opportunity to be a light in the most pivotal land in the world!
ReplyDeletePraying for you during this time.
ReplyDeletePraying for you. God always has a reason
ReplyDeletePraying for you and yours
ReplyDeletePraying for you, Friend!
ReplyDeleteWe will be praying for you all! Wherever you go I know you will be a blessing to many. Your family has a sweet spirit.
ReplyDeletewill be praying for you guys! Glad that our God always has a reason for His timing on things :)
ReplyDeletePraying for you and your family. I hope there is still someone there able to receive the 3 care packages I just mailed last week :(
ReplyDeletePraying for you jolene! Our church has been praying for your visa situation and we will continue to do so!
ReplyDeletePraying for you. If anyone can can make the best of a not so good situatioin it is YOU. Stay your positve self!!
ReplyDeleteStill praying!
ReplyDeletePraying for you!!
ReplyDeleteSo So sorry, Jolene. Will be praying.
ReplyDeletePraying for safety while you travel.
ReplyDeletePraying for you all and safety during travel. ♥
ReplyDeleteJust wanted you to know I was praying for your family.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to write to let you know you are in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteThinking about you! Praying for you and loving you and your precious family!
ReplyDeletePraying for the whole family, here in Iglesia Bautista Fundamental of Lewisiville Tx.
ReplyDeleteThinking of and praying for you and your family! I miss your blog! We're hoping to return to Odessa in April. Blessings, Karen
ReplyDeleteGood luck Jolene! Your family in Oklahoma is very proud of you!
ReplyDeleteI'll be praying for your family.
ReplyDeletePraying for you guys
ReplyDeletePraying, be safe, loves ya
ReplyDeleteWow, Ms. Jolene <3 I will definitely be praying for all of you all!!!! That is so amazing, really:)) I'm glad that ya'll know what the Lord wants, and are following through with it<3 God bless you guys!!! *hugs*
ReplyDelete(and PS that pic of the suitcases is really pretty!!!) lol I can sort of see a smiley-face somewhere if you think the handle is the smile:DDD hehehe
We're praying for you!!
ReplyDeleteLove,
The Kowachs
Jolene: my heart aches for you. But I will be fervently praying for you and your family as you travel and seek God's perfect will for your lives. May God give you peace, grace, comfort and peace as you go into a new direction.
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Nola
Jer. 33:3 - God is good all of the time! I will trust and believe that His ways are perfect!
Hi Jolene! Just read your post. I'm sure u will receive many emails besides this one, just letting u know we are praying for y'all and love y'all! Will u be going back to Ukraine after 3 months and go back and forth after that? I can only imagine all the questions and unknowns u all must have! May the Lord bless and keep u as u begin this new journey! Love and prayers! Susie
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, more earnstly, I am and will be praying... for you all..
ReplyDeleteNell Cowan
Apart from safety as you travel, I've been praying for everything to go smoothly, and for the Lord to put kind people around you.
ReplyDeleteI've been praying for emotions, as I'm sure there was a lot of demonstration of that during your last service for a while.
The comforts, familiarity, and security of home, though, is what I consider my greatest sacrifice in my traveling ministry. But I know you two: you make a train coupe a little bit of Heaven on earth.
I pray that you will soon make lots of friends, and don't even have to wonder if you'll be a blessing to those around you.
I love you, and you are on my mind, in my thoughts, prayers and
Mom
Nahum 1:7
We sure will pray. Take care. I'm glad God is in control. :)
ReplyDeleteLove,
Sharon Hoffmeister
Dear David and Jolene,
ReplyDeleteJust a note to say we are praying...when you can't track, trust. God knows where you are, where you're headed, and why. I believe it's because He knows He can trust you two to fulfill His plan anywhere you are.
We love you,
Mrs. Z
I will be praying for you. My friend leaves tomorrow am for a trip to Israel. She will be there for 10 days. As I pray for her I will be praying for you to have safe travels and wisdom in settling and taking care of all you have to. God is in control and His ways are not our ways and "His purpose will be done!" through you. Love you.
ReplyDeleteMrs. B