One month and counting

So I have been in my new position as a supervisor at Wells Fargo for just over a month now.  It has been very interesting to learn all the ins and outs of the current mortgage industry.  I read about all the issues that people were experiencing due to the immense drop in property values over the last few years, but now I get to here individual stories about how it is affecting them.  As I work in the Loss Mitigation department for Wells Fargo, I have heard from people who are at the edge of foreclosure and losing their home.  Some of these homeowners are...unique, but others are normal like you and me.  Some can be helped, others cannot--and that is frustrating. 

On the other side of things, I wish I could tell that person that is 10 payments past due on their $500,000 mortgage to sell their house and live in something they can afford.  That person is the epitome of materialism, and what it means to have the biggest and greatest--without the means to pay for it.  And, in the end we might just suggest that--we may tell them to short sale or sell the house, but only after months of attempting to keep them in their home through short term solutions. 

As far as my daily role as a leader in my organization, I am finally getting to know my team and build some report with them.  There are many opportunities to train, coach and influence in my role--I love that about my job.  Also, I have had multiple opportunities to share my faith, and for that I am thankful.  It is a much different situation than my last job (as a missionary) as I have to be careful about how I share my faith--so as to not initiate it as a conversation.  

However, I did tell my boss in my interview, that I wouldn't be holding back my faith on the job--so she hired me fully aware of my beliefs and intentions.  Another great thing where I see God's plan written all over is the fact that the two other men that work with me in a supervisor role are active Christians.  One was a youth pastor before coming to Wells Fargo.  I see a lot of potential, and feel God's hand over the work--I wonder who will come to know the Lord?  So many of the people that work for me are hurting and lost.  Their stories are just like those of many of the homeowner's we talk to everyday, so who is going to be the one that reaches out to them?  When will that happen?

Lord, here I am, send me.

Humbly Home

Okay, so I have been slightly disconnected for the last few weeks.  I figured I better give an update on how we have been doing.  A lot has changed since May 5th.  The initial move back to the USA was fine as all of our luggage made it to our final destination.  We spent a few days with Heidi's family in Fort Wayne and then headed onward to Saint Louis in a rented Budget Truck!  We drove from Saint Louis up to my family's house in Akron, IA as a stopping point before we headed down to look at houses in and around Des Moines.  WE ended up finding a great house in Ankeny, IA that fit our price range and also our tastes.  It is great because I only have a 15 minute commute to Des Moines (where my new job is) and the same time frame for access to much of the Des Moines Metro area.  We are getting to know our surroundings again, much like when we first moved to Panama, we have a lot to learn.

Here is a picture of our new home from the front:

So, for those of you who were wondering if we ever made it back to the States, or if I had just fallen off the face of the planet--I am back and will do my best to keep up with my blog posts!  It should be an exciting summer! Thank you for your prayers and encouragement over the last few weeks! 

Leaving home to go to a far off land...

Well, tonight is our last night in Panama!  I have mixed emotions as I sit here by myself.  Heidi is at her last women's small group Bible study.  I hope she is having a great time with them.  It is a bittersweet feeling to know that God has called us to something else and it is truly evident that He has every step of the way planned out; and at the same time leave a place and network that God has used to bring us closer to Him.

God has continually provided for us during this time.  We had no problem selling almost all of our belongings.  That money will help us to find a house back in Des Moines, IA.  I recently accepted a job offer with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and will start training there the end of May/beginning of June.  Of all the jobs I applied/interviewed for over the last three months, this job is the one I wanted and they offered to it to me last Monday.  I will be a supervisor over a team of 15 loan adjustors. I have a lot to learn about the industry and the job, but I am excited about working for one of the "healthy" banks in the US.  Heidi and I both like Des Moines and are looking forward to this new adventure we are going on!

While we are still United States citizens, we have become a part of a different culture that mixes Latin American and North American lifestyles.  We are different people now compared to who we were three years ago when we took this job with LCMS World Mission.  So many people have been a part of our lives during this time, influencing us and helping us to grow closer to Christ and to one another.  We thank each of you with whom we have come in contact during the last three years; for your guidance, prayers and support.  We love each of you and you hold a special place in our hearts.  We look forward to the years ahead as we continue our relationships; influencing each other and trusting in the Lord to bring more into His flock through what he does with our lives.

Praise be to God our Father, we thank Him for all that He has done.  His works are mighty and just.  We love Him with our whole heart, and we love the body of believers, who are the Body of Christ!