Mobile living. Sometimes known as living out of a suitcase. Transient. Pilgrim. Or the word our family loves to use - sojourning. We really are temporary residents wherever we go and this current Home Assignment is no different from past ones. Some people offer up consolation saying they know what we're going through because they've moved many different places. Other missionaries say they understand because they do the same sort of thing when they go on furlough. It somehow helps to know there are people like us.
We don't have a hometown. Amy is from Natchez, Mississippi and that's currently where her parents are based out of. But she really didn't grow up there nor does she have an endearing affinity for the place. We don't have many peers or people that we can truly consider bffs there as well. They exist, but for me, most of those relationships are fairly new. The grandparents are "Natchezians" and so are several supporting churches which is the real reason why I love visiting that small town. Then again, it's so temporary. As for me, I'm from the San Francisco Bay Area. I was born at Saint Mary's Medical Center, right next to Golden Gate Park. The California Academy of Sciences was a good view for my mom to recover with in her hospital room. My family lived in surrounding cities until I joined the Navy, so had I stayed, I would truly be considered a native born San Franciscan. But my parents and brother no longer live where I grew up. When I visit, I never feel like I'm actually from there, not just because I have no memories of those new neighborhoods, but because I feel like I'm different than the average NorCal'er. I'm still proud however to say that I'm from the Bay.
In a few days we'll be leaving New Orleans. We've fallen in love with this city. For me, it's the best combination of Southern living and metropolitan diversity. It's the most unique city in America and I would love to live here and do ministry serving with our partner churches. We have a number of supporters who are behind our work in the Philippines too. Many people have asked if I'm originally from the Big Easy. No one ever asks that in Mississippi. Harbor Church has taken care of us, providing a very chique warehouse loft to live in. The Asian influence in that area, particularly the Filipino heritage in the bayou, is attractive to me. But we have no family in Nola. That makes a big difference. Nonetheless, I'm thankful for brothers and sisters in Christ who have taken us in! Unfortunately, like I said, we leave in a few days.
We're headed to Southern California, mainly north San Diego County. Oceanside is where I became a Christian and lived and worked at for most of my adult life. New Song Community Church is our main sending church and we have a number of friends there. If God allowed us to pick a place to call home, apart from ministry purposes, Oceanside would be it. Amy and I met there. We absolutely adore that city and call it paradise on earth. But, no family. That makes it difficult for missionaries on a tight budget, especially with a salary designed for Philippines life. We are very blessed to be able to stay with our mentors, the Kelley's, who are also leaders in our organization. Our friends, the Scotts, will also house us for a week. And the entire 6-7 weeks our buddy, Douglas, has provided us with a truck. As in every town we stay in, there are a lot of meetings and speaking engagements. Hopefully there will also be a lot of fellowship and fun.
We still have schedules in Nevada, Colorado, Mississippi, Louisiana, Idaho, and Northern California. Our experience has helped us learn how to live with people. Since October 2017 we haven't been on our own, alone as a family, except for our time in New Orleans. And we won't be in our own home until probably July. We're thankful for computers and mobile devices that help us stay connected wherever we are. We can work on the go, in our car, at a table in a coffee shop, walking around at a park while the kids play, or in any church lobby. It's the life we've signed up for, but I'll tell you, 8 years of doing this doesn't make things easier. You get calloused enough to bear the weight and the Holy Spirit fills you with joy to see that such a life can be exciting and adventure filled.