His Ways are Higher than Mine

Dearest friends and prayer partners,

So much has happened since my last letter, I hardly know where to begin.

Time in the US

On June 29th, I left after the Sunday morning service to begin traveling back to the US. I arrived safely. I was able to spend a few days with my home church in WI. It was a wonderful reunion. Though it was not planned this way, I was also in WI over the fourth of July so was able to celebrate this very American holiday with those I care about.

Then on July 6th, after the morning service, potluck lunch, and early afternoon services at Berean, I began the 8 hour drive to Ohio. Once again, the Lord provided safety in travel. 

The candidate seminar was a very active time. The first week, I was leaving my hotel by 7:20 in the morning and not returning until after 8:00 at night. There were classes where they tried to teach us as much as humanly possible in such a short time. I met so many wonderful people and was truly blessed by the experience. 

Then on Monday July 14th, at the start of the BMM family conference, I officially became a full-time missionary appointee with BMM. The rest of the family conference was full of times of encouragement, meeting new people, and fellowshipping with those I had already met. The Waites were also able to come for a few days of this conference.

On Friday July 18th, I began traveling back to WI and stopped for a short visit with my parents on the way. Then I was able to spend a little more time with my home church before flying back to Slovakia on Friday July 25th.

Back in Slovakia

When I arrived back in Slovakia, there wasn’t much time to get readjusted to this time zone before we were back into the full swing of things. I had the privilege to be in church on Sunday July 27th. I was able to sit with Simeon and Samuel again as well as reunite with everyone here. On Monday, Don, LeAnne, and Vivian Waite arrived back. Then on Thursday, we had a welcome back party for them/a going away party for David and Ellie Luethy. 

The next week, we had VBS. It was a small group this year made up of the youngest of the church, and it was a blessed time of teaching them about Jesus. The theme was “Sea Quest” so almost everything was ocean themed. 

At the beginning of September, the children and teachers started back to school, and the church here started back into the normal schedule of activities. 

One of the visitors that we had during May has come back several more times now. There was also a group that was staying in the area for a few days that visited us one Sunday. Praise the Lord!

Change in My Plans, not God’s

There has been a change in what I thought the plan was. God has made clear that He is closing the door in Slovakia. This isn’t what I thought was going to happen. I am grieving what I thought could have been. However, I am grateful that God has made His will clear, that He has a plan and this isn’t a surprise to Him, that I can trust Him, that I have grown closer to and more dependent on Him than I ever thought possible, and for what He has taught me through this.

I don’t know what things will look like in the future. I’m walking by faith step by step. I am treasuring the short time I have left here and pouring into the people here as much as I can during this time. I will return back to WI on September 29th and have a room I will be renting from a widow in Watertown. With the counsel of my Pastor, I’m planning to spend the next couple months reconnecting with my home church and serving there and at MBU in any ways possible. I am earnestly seeking and waiting for God’s direction during this time. I know God has called me to missions, and I am still seeking to serve Him on the mission field as He directs. Regardless of where He leads, I will follow.

Prayers and Praises

• Praise that Lukáš’s foot has healed.

• Praise that Valerie’s back is doing better, but please continue to pray as it is still not 100%.

• Praise that God has allowed me to make so much progress in learning Slovak in the short time I’ve been here.

• Praise that I’ve had the opportunity to get to know so many wonderful people and serve Him in Slovakia.

• Praise and prayer for God’s direction.

• Pray for the transition back to the US to go smoothly.

• Praise that God has provided housing when I’m back in the US.

• Praise that God is good and faithful.

Your Sister in Christ,

Shae Zabel