A couple of months ago, my parents, my brother, Jacob, and his wife, Rachel, were all sitting down at the dinner table. This was a rare occasion because Jacob and Rachel live in Lubbock and I now live in Ft. Worth with my Husband, Logan. It was so nice to be eating dinner as one big family again. As conversation quieted down, my brother and Rachel proceeded to tell us they had something to share. As my parents and I got full of excitement, (we thought they were pregnant) my brother said he had applied for a teaching job in CHINA. We all got quiet. Not exactly the news we were expecting, much less hoping for. Jacob and Rachel began to tell us a little bit more about this whole “moving to China” thing. The more and more they talked about it, the more we liked the idea and encouraged them that it was God’s plan and a great opportunity. As the weeks went on, Jacob and Rachel have been preparing for this life-changing event. They had to fill out 16 hours’ worth of applications and were flown out to Atlanta for a psych evaluation. Then in April, they were offered the job. Jacob teaching AP-US History, AP-Economics and model UN. Rachel doesn’t have a degree in education so she couldn’t apply to teach, but the school heard of her Musical Theatre degree, and hired her to be a speech and drama teacher. They have always wanted to live in a big city and the program they will be in, has been established for over 30 years. They will live in a housing complex with all the other teachers.
My brother has always had a servant’s heart and has always been obedient listening to the Lord. He has always had a heart for Christian education, so knowing this is one of his dreams and God’s plan for them, warms my heart. Rachel has been so obedient to the Lord as well: she followed her husband to Lubbock, and now China! I cannot express how happy I am for these two wonderful people. Logan and I look up to them for following what God has planned for them. I can’t imagine living in another country, with a different language, and no one who is familiar. But they will not be alone; God will always be with them, never to leave their side.
Pray that they find community, that they learn the language quickly, and that the transition will be smooth. May God bless both of you in your obedience and trust in Him.
