FROM GIVING CARE TO RECEIVING CARE

These faithful Shepherds give 24/7 care to over 70 missionaries couples and families and pour their lives into others.  Interestingly, they had never stopped to rest and care for themselves. Here is their story:

Sadly, many don’t realize the true value of Selah, “pause/reflect” until it is “forced” on them by circumstance or draining situations.  This is our story:

 My wife and I have been in full time ministry for the past 24 years.  In all those years, we had the thought that we were very needed and thus could not afford to take concentrated time away.  If “we” didn’t attend to the ministry, like only we could, it would suffer irreparable damage and quite possibly fold altogether.

  We serve missionaries who serve in foreign lands and have told them for years; “You need to take purposeful time away from your ministry functions, in order to be refreshed, recharged and refocused.”  If you don’t take time to make sure you are healthy and whole, nobody else is going too either.”  It was sound advice…..for them!  We knew the right things to say to help them stay on the mission field and serve from a place of health and wholeness, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  We didn’t think we could afford to take our own advice…….WRONG!  We found ourselves on the edge of burnout.  You don’t often realize you are on the edge until it is either too late or almost too late.  Some valued friends got us in touch with Shepherds Care and the week of “rest” became invaluable to our spirits!  It will become a regular part of our “routine” in ministry, so we can remain refreshed and recharged.  It gave us time to refocus on what is needed to sustain our part in ministry….Selah!  

  Thank you Shepherds Care for the amazing ministry the LORD has blessed you with and for the love and care you showed us.  We were blessed beyond measure.   Sincerely, David and Janice