Last Sunday we were privileged to be back with our home congregation at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church and what a wonderful homecoming it was! We were warmly welcomed by brothers and sisters in the Lord whom we have not seen for four months and together we worshipped the Lord as we were led by the “United Voices in Praise” from Messiah College. We look forward to picking up the threads of our journeys together as we continue our Pilgrimage, for on this Earth we have no permanent abode, but we seek a City whose Builder and Maker is God.
These past four months of our sabbatical journey have afforded us an amazing diversity of peoples, places, climates, natural areas, experiences, churches, modes of travel. They have been so packed that is seems like much more than just four months. While we have lodged in 33 different places, we’ve not felt rushed but have had significant time along the way to pause, relax and find refreshment for the journey.
We’ve been encouraged on our journey by the prayers and good-will of many of you who have viewed this blog. Some of you have posted comments, but others have just been following along, preferring not to comment. If you would like to communicate directly with us in a less public forum, we invite you to email us at wingertsabbatical@gmail.com.
Thanks for joining us on the journey.
Here, in a few pictures and captions, is a summary of our sabbatical journey:
Reconnecting (Hillman, Michigan)
Quiet Beauty (Sylvania Canoe Area, Michigan)
Retreat (Cedarly Pastors Retreat, Wisconsin)
Remembering (Judith Creek, Montana)
Exhilaration (Gird Point, Montana)
Relaxation (Diamond T Ranch, Idaho Panhandle)
Revising (Salmon, Idaho)
Family Adventure (Zambia)
Challenge (Zambia)
Recreation (Outer Banks, North Carolina)
When Gene was in boarding school every meal, without fail and without variation, was concluded with the prayer: “For what we have just received may the Lord make us truly thankful,” and all the boys responded with “Amen,” and so we conclude this sabbatical by noting what we have so graciously received and for which we are “truly thankful.”
• The Elizabethtown BIC congregation for granting us this time away and for their generous financial support of our Zambia trip.
• The Elizabethtown Borough Police who kept a watchful eye on our house while we were away.
• Our daughter Sara who faithfully and accurately managed our financial affairs.
• Our son Tim for his creative maintenance of this blog.
• The guys at Keener Tires who made sure we had 4 brand new tires on the car before we began our journey.
• Beth and Costandy Saba for use of their cottage in Hillman, Michigan
• Diane Oswald, former youth group member in our first pastorate at Maple Grove, for helping make connections with other members of the congregation.
• Marsha Marquardt (another former Maple Grove teen) for the great send-off breakfast when we left Hillman.
• For many others like Diane and Marsha who were part of the congregation in our first pastorate 40 years ago who continue to live for Jesus and witness for Him.
• Edna Shafer with whom we shared ministry in Hillman in the 60’s for a wonderful meal and day of reminiscing.
• Joshua and Katherine who made sure we had everything we needed at our cabin in the Sylvania Wilderness.
• Andy and Nancy, our hosts and spiritual directors at the Cedarly Pastor’s Retreat.
• The nine others with whom we shared our five days at Cedarly.
• The National Forest staff at Stanford, Montana, who made special arrangements for us to pick up our key for Judith Creek Cabin.
• The lady on the road crew who let us use her cell phone.
• Tom and Brenda Wagoner, our hosts at Diamond T Ranch.
• John Fackler and Dwain Goretzke who talked Gene through replacing the serpentine belt on the van all the way from Pennsylvania on the cell phone.
• The congregation of the United Methodist Church in Salmon, Idaho, for their welcome, prayers and practical advice after our oil pan disaster.
• The manager at the Trails End Motel during the three days we were stranded in Salmon.
• Jeff and Arsinio at the Good News Garage who replaced the damaged oil pan in the mini van.
• Rick, the friendly tow truck driver, with whom we rode 50 miles to a AAA repair shop when the starter quit.
• The DeWilde family in Omaha who warmly welcomed us and with whom we relived many wonderful memories.
• Bob and Marilyn Howe (Darlene’s sister) who put us up for a night on our way back East.
• Dale and Pat Dohner (Darlene’s cousin) with whom we stayed in Ashland, Ohio.
• Dwight and Carol Thomas for valuable advance perspectives on going to Zambia.
• Bryan and Karah Leaman for last minute briefings growing out of their recent experience in Zambia.
• John and Esther Spurrier for their hospitality at Macha and Esther’s indispensable counsel while we were in country.
• Marian Buckwalter for facilitating many aspects of our time in Zambia.
• Potato, our capable and trustworthy river guide on the Zambezi River.
• Dennis and Jane Mweetwa for getting us oriented to Sikalongo and the Bible Institute.
• Peter Petwenge, our counselor and guide.
• Rosa Muleya our housekeeper at Sikalongo, purchasing agent and friend.
• The ten students at Sikalongo Bible Institute who were an inspiration to serve in the classroom.
• J. Harold and Nancy Engle who welcomed back to the US at JFK.
• Tom and Katie Wagner who took care of our yard while we were away.
• Jared Long for plowing up our garden which had also been on sabbatical for this year.
• For many public servants - immigration officials, taxi and bus drivers, flight attendants, who helped us get from place to place.
• For safety through 10,000 miles of vehicle travel and 17,000 air miles.
• Our vehicle problems all happened within reach of help (at many other times we were in very remote settings).
• For avoiding collisions with numerous deer.
• Good health the entire time.
• For the faithful ministry of the word, fellowship and encouragement in 16 services in 14 different congregations.
• For many who supported us in prayer and kept in touch during these months.
• For opportunity to revisit journal notes from scores of wilderness trips.
• For the beauty of earth and sky, tree and flower, lakes, oceans and rivers, mountains and valleys and many creatures great and small.
• For the commitment, courage and vision of dauntless pioneer missionaries like Frances Davidson and Myron and Adda Taylor and for the rich fruit of their endeavors in the church in Zambia.
• For the privilege of visiting grandfather Taylor’s grave at Sikalongo with our children, Tim and Sara, and being able to share a week “on safari” with them.
• South African Airlines for a safe trip, professional service and delivery of all of our luggage.
• For the inspiration of days spent at the shore - the majesty of the ocean, the full moon rising, glorious sunrises and sunsets, canoeing and windsurfing.
• For a joyful return to the Etown congregation and a warm welcome by the people of God whom we love and serve. It’s good to be home.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
This is the final post for this blog
