1983-1986

• 1983

Now begins the whirlwind of activity. We got home picked up our son and then my parents flew us to Oregan for a vacation. After that we packed up and moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa to begin our time as senior pastor. A short time after we arrived, I traveled to the Philippines to participate in a two-week church planting event called Metromove. While there Nancy attended special services at a local Christian college and received her call to missions.

The home we bought was over a hundred years old and would require a great deal of work to make it comfortable. Our first winter was difficult because of the lack of insulation in the house and other issues. We would spend the next three years fixing many things. This effort made it possible to sell the house in spite of a depressed market as well as learn valuable lessons in maintenance.

• 1984 –

We are busy in the ministry and seeing our small church begin to grow. Nancy found a job as a dental assistant part time. Our son was growing. We hosted an exchange student from France for three months. I continued to be involved in a unique high school ministry called Lifecorp, which involved organizing a youth choir and touring to present a musical. I was also involved in the youth camp as the recreational director during our time in Oskaloosa.

• 1985 –

Life gave a twist as two key families move away, and another older member dies. They were faithful tithers. Though our church is growing our finances are not good so we agree that I will work part time and find another job. I found a job working for a concrete contractor and occasional side jobs with another local contractor.

We agree to host an exchange student from Mexico. Things were going well until she was involved in an accident while riding a three-wheeler. She creates quite a situation, and the sponsoring agency decides she needs to return to her home country.

In September we welcome our second son. Our family is growing. Another boy. In October John is the ring bearer in Perry’s brother Dan’s wedding to Julie.

• 1986 –

We resubmit our application to the mission department and are accepted.  We are given three options 1. Serve in Brazil at the bible school  2. Serve in Papua New Guinea  3. Serve in Sierra Leone and help reestablish the bible school in Gbendembu. We choose Sierra Leone. A key reason is that our senior pastor from Waite Park has return there as the Field Director.

Now begins the packing of everything we need to send. The selling of all we cannot send and store the rest. This includes selling our house and our car. We sell the house the day before we leave Oskaloosa. We sell our car the week before we leave. But, before we leave, we are required to attend 5 weeks of training, 3 weeks of cross-cultural training and two weeks of learning how to learn another language.  This was a difficult time for our sons. Mom and Dad were so busy and they did not enjoy the day care system. They survived and we spent time visiting family before our departure. We participated in the wedding of Nancy’s youngest sibling.