Update

I wanted to give you a quick update on me.  Some of this is fairly new, so I am still working out the details, but I wanted to keep you posted as I go forward.  As many of you know, this last 3 years in Kazakhstan was difficult for me.  I love Kazakhstan and feel that it is my home.  I did however get to a point of being burnt out and overwhelmed, not specifically by my work with orphans, but with a lot of the other changes that were going on around me.  As a result, I returned to the States tired and exhausted. 

As many of you know, I have finished my initial 5-year commitment to Interlink in Kazakhstan.  I  have fallen in love with the people and truly consider Kazakhstan home.  Even so, I felt God asking me to evaluate whether or not I was supposed to return for a longer period of time.  I feel that God has clearly impressed on my heart that I am.  Even so, He has made it just as clear that right now is not the right time.   

About three weeks ago I made the decision that I am currently not ready to return to Kazakhstan for many different reasons.  I feel that God is asking me to take some more time here in the States so that when I return to Kazakhstan I am better able to thrive.  It was difficult to make this decision, especially because I am leaving my team short-handed.  Even so, I still have complete peace as I look at the near (and far) future.  

During my time here, I plan to continue meeting with wise people who can help guide me through this time.   I plan to work for Interlink here in the States to shore up some of the details related to Kids Connection.  I am also looking into the option of furthering my eduction in order to be better equipped for my continued work in Kazakhstan.