On the mission field, families often go through times of transition. Flexibility is essential.

A family will often find themselves moving across an already unfamiliar country and starting over in a new community. For one Global Serve family, the Feldmans, this actually turned out to be the key in reaching a deeper level of relationship with some of their former neighbors.

Mark and Anne Feldman had been living in North Asia for almost 2 years. They, along with their 3 kids, had gotten to know their neighbors pretty well. Their kids played with the other children in the neighborhood, and they frequently had local families over for meals or tea. Due to circumstances with their visas and work situation, the family had to move to a city that was much farther west, too far to maintain relationships with their neighbors as it was. The kids were especially disappointed that they wouldn’t be able to play with their friends anymore.

The Feldmans lived in the western city for close to a year and settled in fairly well there, although they all still missed their old friends. One day they got news that their work would actually bring them back east – to the same neighborhood!

Mark went back to their old neighborhood to see if he could find housing close to where they had lived before. He looked around and quickly found a house right in their old neighborhood, even on the same street. After meeting with the landlord, he couldn’t wait to get home and tell his family. As he was driving away, a group of kids recognized his car and ran over. They were disappointed that his children weren’t with him, but he told them they would all be back soon to stay.

When they arrived, the entire family was grateful to be re-united with their friends. In the time they had been gone one couple actually had been considering some of the things the Feldmans had shared with them about the Bible, and had a long list of questions waiting for them.

And even though it was good to be back, the Feldmans still had a period of adjustment to go through. They were in a familiar place, but needed to take time again to figure out where their family fit in. Thankfully, they can trust God to guide them through this process, unlike many of their friends and neighbors.

Join with us in praying that God will give them favor in this town and that many will come to the saving knowledge of Him. 

*Names and places changed for security purposes.