Seattle visit

I just had a good week in Seattle. I had four full days of training and 2 days of apartment hunting. I am really encouraged by the training. I even like being able to work with our special data program, Raisers Edge. After seeing ChristianVeterinary Mission at work for 10 years it is neat to learn more of their inner workings. I am amazed at how often the leadership evaluates what they do, ensuring that they are effective in challenging veterinarians to live their lives for an eternal purpose and efficient with their funds.

So what will I be doing in Seattle? I will be coordinating CVM's short term mission program. (My job title is the Short Term Missions Coordinator.) Last year over 300 individuals went on short term missions trips. It takes a lot of time to match the individual with the trip, maintain the data base of people interested in going, and make sure they have the right information to get there and come back healthy. Just as important is communicating with each of them and helping them to understand where God is leading them both overseas and in their lives. For the short term trips to be most effective they should be pointing people towards missions outreach and be a help to the long term development and church planting in an area. The task sounds easy, but actually requires a lot of purposeful effort to make it happen. (photo above shows me pointing to my new office.)

I will be the tenth full time person of an administration team and a couple part-time people. Brad Frye (who was instrumental in sending me to Ethiopia the first time in 2003) will be my direct supervisor. I am looking forward to working with him. We first met when I visited Uganda as a veterinary student. Most in the CVM office are veterinarians who have served overseas and all have a genuine heart for growing in and serving the Lord. They are a fun group and I am looking forward to joining the Seattle team in July. (Photo is staff from last year. Brad is bottom left and I share an office with Wonda, bottom right.)

House hunting was productive. I looked at lots of places over two days. Finding an affordable place in a nice neighborhood that would accept Mia was a challenge. I ended up putting a hold on a little one bedroom lake cottage on Martha Lake in Lynnwood. It is a very peaceful spot in a nice neighborhood with space for my dog and with a price similar to that of an apartment.

I heard some great news this week from Project MedSend. They have supporting me by paying my student loan payments for the past six years while I have been in Ethiopia. They have decided to continue supporting me for at least another year since I will still be in a ministry position and still have a heart for overseas work. I am very excited to hear this! God sure is faithful to continue to raise up those who support me. I am greatly encouraged by those who are continuing to support me. It is another confirmation that coming back to serve in the States for a season is the right thing for me.


I am in Iowa this week. I look forward to being at my parent’s church in Yarmouth, Iowa this weekend. For those of you interested I will share my main presentation on Sunday, May 9 at First Baptist church in Yarmouth at the 9 AM service.