So for the last four years or so, Jon and I have been having a lot of conversations about our family, the ministry and our place in it. It has been a pretty crazy time; although when you're in the camping ministry, crazy is normal. We felt like we were running from one thing to the next because that's what had to be done to keep up. Jon began to feel really stressed out and that carried over into the family and our time together. Our conversations became more serious...is this just a phase? can we make changes that will protect our family? is it time for us to move on?
Out of those conversations came the realization that the role Jon was playing as executive director was not really a role that he enjoyed. He gets energy from working directly with people...introducing them to camp and Puerto Rico. He also loves to work outside on projects and with his hands. I often pointed out that he would come home from a day of simply mowing the grass in camp with more energy and excitement for the ministry than from a day in the office or working in the director role.
Many talks were had with the camp board about the future of camp and our place in it. They could also see maybe there was a better role for Jon. This past September it was decided that Jon would no longer be the executive director, and the board began to search for a person to fill that role. Thankfully, it was a short search! Jerry Olson and his wife DeAnna (former missionaries to Bolivia) will be joining us soon, and Jerry will fill the role of director.
We are so excited! As Jon's wife, I could see a change in stress level almost immediately after the decision was made. He's back with energy and excitement and love for the ministry! He is now the MAT Director. Basically he is in charge of all of the work teams that come from the states or the island on short term mission trips. He will be working on projects with them, doing ministry around Puerto Rico with them and introducing them to the island and it's people.
Our God is so good to us. He gives us passions and desires and then graciously works out the details for us so that we can serve Him doing the very things we love. What about you? Are you serving God doing what you love?