A lot of people have been asking our plans when we head back to the USA, so I thought I'd share a little bit of what our future holds (the part God has shown us, anyway!)
1) What will Blu be doing? - Blu will be running his family's business - Unit Sets Unlimited. In Texas, almost every school district (1,031 districts in Texas!) competes in One Act Play theater competitions. Every school must compete using the same standard 28 piece set, with optional additions. In the year 2000, Blu's mom was a theater teacher and needed a set built. She priced them and realized only one company was building sets in Texas. Paw (Blu's dad) said, "Well I can build it for cheaper than that..." and a business was born. Right after Blu and I got engaged, we pulled almost all-nighters helping complete the first set, and Blu and I actually delivered the first set to Post, Texas. In the last 18 years, the business has boomed (due to quality construction, low prices, and word of mouth) and Unit Sets now delivers to schools and districts all over Texas. On top of that, this business helped put Blu through college, as he and his brother had a workshop outside our house where they built pieces, and Blu used our garage in Alvarado to build French doors and windows for the sets, putting him through seminary with no debt as well. His dad is now ready to retire, and with Blu's Communication and Business degrees and love for construction, it makes sense that his parents would ask him to run the business.
2) What will Darbi be doing? - I will be the bookkeeper for the Unit Sets business, but I will also continue doing the bookkeeping for New Day. Chipo, our new hire at New Day, will be able to handle many of the on the ground finances, but I will continue to record all income and expenses for the orphanage. I will also be partnering with Blu's mom in her business of It's a Wrap. Recently, the state of Texas theater association decided to allow canvas wraps covering their set pieces. BMaw therefore started a business where she makes these wraps and sells them to schools, and they are incredible. They can be textured, painted, made to look like brick, stone, etc., and they make a play come to life. I will help with this business however I can.
3) Where will you live? - Blu's parents have graciously gifted us their house in Lake Brownwood as part of the Unit Sets package. We will be doing some remodeling, but we are BEYOND BLESSED to have a home when we return to the USA. Paw and Bmaw have built a "bunkhouse" about 50 yards from us and will move in next month. 50 yards the other way, we will be building a "mountain mansion" for my parents, so we will all be on "The Mountain," as we call it.
4) What about the kids? - Believe it or not, our kids are VERY excited about the move back to the USA. They are happy/sad, but they'll tell you mostly happy. They are ready for a change, and I think it's a testimony to how God has prepared all of our hearts to leave New Day. They are already re-enrolled at Bangs Middle School where they will be in 8th, 7th, and 5th grades. Our days/evenings will be filled with school and sports events!
5) What about ministry? - And..the biggest question of all. God hasn't given us many answers about this right now, but here's what we know. It's ok to have a season "off" from full-time ministry. In fact, we would be surprised if we ever again have a job position that would be classified as "full-time ministry." We have spent the last 8 years teaching Zambians that the work of the church and furthering the kingdom of God should be done by all, not just one, and we want to live that out in the USA as well. We also know that we love youth, we love the local church, there is a huge need for mentorship and teaching the next generation, and that God is not finished with us yet.
Hopefully that answers some questions that people have asked and wanted to ask!
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