The Oshman family is in a season of endings and beginnings right now.
Endings:
- On January 22nd, after more than a three year battle with ALS, my mother graduated to heaven. We rejoice for her sake, but continue to mourn for our sake. She was a great mother, and excellent grandma to her six grandchildren.
- On February 24th, after nearly ten years of ministry to the military community in Okinawa, Japan, we will say goodbye to a people and a ministry we have loved dearly.
- On Tuesday, our adopted daughter's immigrant visa was finally approved by the U.S. consulate. While our adoption of Rebekah has been complete for over two years, this development is the final piece we needed to bring Rebekah to the states. Upon arrival in the Minneapolis, Rebekah will officially become a U.S. citizen.
Beginnings:
- As we close one chapter of life and ministry, a whole new chapter is about to be opened. On March 3rd, Jennifer and I will fly to Orlando, Florida for a week long interview and orientation with Pioneers International, as we hope to become church planting missionaries in the Czech Republic.
- This new journey will present many great opportunities and difficult challenges for each of us in many different ways. Please pray for us as we begin raising up a prayer and financial support team, apply for visas, learn a new language and culture, and once again transport our family to a new continent. Lord willing, we hope to arrive in the Czech Republic in early Fall of this year.
As I reflect on all of this, I am grateful for God's sovereignty and steadfast love for us. And I am reminded of God's promise in Lamentations 3:22-24: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
