Over the past few months back in the States, it has been incredible to see how the questions we had about what would happen while we are here and what should come next have been being answered. We have been blessed through our time of rest and feel more than ready to jump back into full-time ministry again. As we have watched, waited, and prayed about how God is writing the story of our family, we have seen how all things do, in fact, work together for our good and how perfect His timing can be if we are faithful and patient.That being said, as we write this letter to you, we find it bittersweet that this will probably be the last one for a while. After much prayer and consideration, we have decided that it will be best for our family to go on leave of absence from our service as missionaries in Thailand and instead continue our life in ministry Stateside. Our intention upon returning home was not to settle in or find a new job. Rather, it was to take the time we were given to really reflect on our time in Thailand and use what we have learned in order to move forward in life and in ministry. Throughout this time of Sabbatical, we have decided that there are some changes that must be made before we can return to the field (different field partners, returning with a team, etc.), and we realize that these things will need more than our scheduled year of home assignment to fulfill.
As evidence yet again of God’s perfect timing, not long after returning home, Brook was presented with the opportunity to apply for an opening pastoral position at our home church, Olive Branch Church of God in Roann, IN. After going through a 2 month candidacy, Brook has accepted the role of Worship and Media Arts Pastor and will begin working as of May 6. This means that his primary responsibilities will be leading musical worship on Sundays and at midweek meetings, as well as designing and coordinating all video, media, and tech for the church. He is eager to use his gifts and abilities in these areas to help Olive Branch continue in their mission of developing authentic followers of Jesus Christ.
We are excited to see how God will use our experiences in Thailand to help us minister more effectively here in Indiana, as well as how he will allow us to remain connected with the work in Southeast Asia. Even though we will be staying Stateside in the coming years, we do not, however, believe that our calling to serve the Thai people is over. We firmly believe that God will keep us involved with Thailand whether it be through prayer, short-term trips, or even returning ourselves at some point farther down the road.
Our journey together with you began when we first spoke, about our vision of moving to Thailand, in your churches in the Spring of 2007. Since then, we have had the opportunity to meet with an incredible number of gracious, generous, and kind people who decided that it would be a good idea to join us in pursuing God’s calling to work among the people of Southeast Asia. You, reading this letter, are one of those people, and we are ever so thankful for you.
It has been humbling to be the receivers of such generous financial support. You have sustained our family by hosting us in your homes when we have traveled, by providing the funds we needed in order to have a roof over our heads, food on the table, seek out medical care when we needed it, rebuild lives after the massive flood, supply materials for reaching out to our communities, enable local lay leaders in following their pursuit of preaching the Gospel, and so much more. We could not have done any of this without you.
You have also ministered to us by being faithful in lifting up our family in prayer. Thank you for joining us in bringing both our praises and prayer needs before the Lord. You have encouraged us and built us up at times when you didn’t even know we needed it. For that, we are thankful.
We look forward to what it is that God has for us in the coming years, and we hope that we can still maintain our connection with you. After all, you have become a sort of extended family to us, and that is not a bond so easily broken! Again, we thank you from the depths of our hearts, and we pray that God will bless each one of you for your sacrifice and commitment to enabling us to go out and serve.
Points for Prayer:
✤ Praise God for His perfect timing and provision.
✤ Praise God for the rest and refreshment that we needed in these past few months.
✤ Praise God for the opportunity to share daily life with family and friends once again.
✤ Praise God for Hailey’s continued adjustment to life in the States.
✤ Pray for leaders to step up within the Khlong Luang and Rapeepat churches in our absence.
✤ Pray for Brook as he transitions back into a pastoral role here in the States.
✤ Pray for clarity, guidance, and peace as we continue to reflect on our ministry in Thailand and
plan for a new season of life back in our home country.
Keep in Touch:
Throughout the past several years, we have enjoyed meeting and getting to know each of you. Even though we may not be returning to the field as active missionaries in the near future, we would still love to keep up our relationship with you as we continue to minister Stateside, and as we seek out ways to still be involved in God’s story in Thailand.
Please feel free to email us at any time with further questions about our ministry in Thailand, to let us know if you are nearby and would like to meet, or even just to say hello. We would love to hear from you!
Sara - saraj.sarver@gmail.com
Brook - brook.sarver@gmail.com
