Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Goodbyes with church friends

We're going to have to come up with a new name if we continue this blog, as we are no longer in Malaysia (physically at least)! Moving is never easy, but this move was much easier than it was heading out to Malaysia--at least in terms of stuff. We managed to get back down to four suitcases again with a bit of effort for our December 28 departure. Saying goodbye was tough though. So many friends wished us well, prayed for us, and left us with parting gifts to remember them by. It's an incredible blessing to have such good friends, but it makes leaving harder. Fortunately, technology allows us to close the gap a little bit.

New Year's in the Adirondacks

The shock of arriving in winter hit us immediately, as we were delayed in Chicago by an ice storm, braved below-zero temperatures in the Adirondacks just after the new year began, and have just survived the blizzard of 2016 with 22 inches of snow in Philadelphia! But I was reminded by a Malaysian friend, who was complaining about the hot temperature, that I had been looking forward to the change! Thank you God. The warmth of our welcome makes up for the chilly weather. Our son Joel greeted us upon arrival with our winter coats, and we have been "loved on" by family and friends each step of the way.

So what are we up to? In essence, we feel God calling us to serve in similar ways to what we did in Malaysia, but closer to family:

Tom's desire is to continue teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) in a university setting where he can interact with international students, and live close enough so that we can get involved in their lives. Two weeks after we arrived in the US, he started working as an adjunct lecturer in the University of Pennsylvania's English Language Program (ELP). They offer intensive English classes in 8-week cycles, hiring one cycle at a time. We hope Tom can transition to a full-time situation eventually, either at Penn or elsewhere in the area, but for now he is happily teaching students from the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.

Janet wants to continue her ties with CCEF (Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation) in the work that was started in Malaysia, as well as do some local counseling in a church or counseling center. She is continuing to grade online courses for CCEF with a focus on Malaysian students, which isn't too different whether sitting at her computer in Malaysia or Philadelphia. She has also had quite a few skype exchanges with friends and counselees in Malaysia already. In addition she is pursuing prospects for counseling locally once we get settled.

Our new apartment
 (top 2 windows on right)

We are eager to live and worship in an area that is close to where we work, so that every aspect of our lives can be lived out in the neighborhood we choose. We have just secured a lease starting February 1st for a lovely 2-bedroom apartment that is 12 blocks away from where Tom works. It so happens that it is also right across the street from a neighborhood church we are likely to go to. God has been incredibly faithful!

It is still quite a thrill to get random calls from our daughter Jen, who lives a little over half an hour away, and has already stopped by numerous times when she has free time. It's great to be so near her and Keith, and spend more time with them. And we are already planning another visit with Joel in Boston so we can see more of his life there before he gets married in June.  Life feels good.

All in all, we have seen God provide in so many ways. While looking for housing, we've been staying with Janet's sister, which is an easy 20-minute commute for Tom. We have the use of Janet's parents' car until we get one ourselves. We have seen God provide again and again. The word that comes to mind is Shalom. A sense of peace, or rest, because God is looking after us, as he always has. So we are very thankful as this new chapter in our life begins, even though it still feels a bit unreal. Hopefully as things settle we will be able to see many of you in the area--Philadelphia is not far at all from our friends and church family in Ewing/Princeton, and our second bedroom is intended for those who come from farther away (such as Malaysia!).

Much love,
Tom & Janet