orphan care stateside

Well, we have slowly begun to find a new rhythm for our family. John is in the office, I am taking the mornings to homeschool the kids, we are reconnecting gradually with friends and family and we are clothed and fed each day. Who could ask for more, correct?

It has been a strange realization for John and I how different it is to be working indirectly with orphan care verses "hands on" directly with these children. It isn't bad, just different. With John being in the office, I can tend to feel a bit removed. We have spent our last six years working together in another country, learning to communicate in a way that shows us as partners in our day in and day out routine. We are having to readjust our talk, reevaluate what our time is spent on and recognize the need for other time commitments during this season.

John is in the office doing behind the scenes work: helping the missionaries on the field by answering questions that come in (insurance, grant policies, etc...) by them, helping move the new office quarters and working on donor relations. Basically, whatever needs come in that he can actually do (the office environment takes a little bit different skill set than his usual building). It is good to see how hard the office works for these children/teens that are pictured. I believe it is actually harder to be here than there. While on the field you are reminded daily that these orphans are real and in real struggle. Here, you are motivated by God's heart for the Fatherless and the knowledge that everyone has their part...and every part is vital to the meeting of the need.

We are grateful to see a more "full" picture of the workings of Back 2 Back and once again feel grateful to be partnered with these individuals who toil just as much as the "on field" staff and yet don't get the immediate realization that a need is being met. They are soldiers in a bigger picture and these children are loved dearly by the Lord no matter where any of us live.