Ready Set Go

ANNOUNCEMENT Life is crazy most of the time but for the J Nalywaiko family it seems to get crazier and crazier each year. About two years ago this week I was at a church in Washington that was pushing me in a direction I was not comfortable going so I left that church and didn’t think I’d be working in ministry again. I grew frustrated with the church’s putting the students and ministry on the back burner. My views and ways I do ministry are not what most churches are comfortable with. I was fortunate that I had friends around me to help me through that situation and I ended up finding an amazing job where I stretched myself to learn new things and do ministry in a new way. I was enjoying my new career learning about transportation and was being groomed to take over as operations director as well as the owners #2 guy in charge. Then, the big phone call came from this youth guy that was moving to a new department in the church- he had wonderful things to say about this opportunity in a very open program, stable church, support and it was closer to my family. At first, I didn’t tell Shanna about it. I actually waited until the second phone call because I knew what she would say… Well, fast forward a couple months. We went thru the interview process and really felt like this was a great place for us to move our family and continue ministry. So, there we were on stage in front of the church being welcomed and accepted into a great new church family. The time I spent as the youth director was probably my best time in ministry thus far. I planned events that I really poured myself into. Students were coming and I was able to reach out to the community schools. The students I worked with were amazing! They loved God and wanted to live their lives for Him. I had great support, worked with great people- some of whom became really good friends. I felt like my voice was heard and I was able to express myself in new and great ways. WHAT HAPPENED? Well, someone, somewhere in some meeting thought….”Hey, someone else here could do this job so let’s fire Jonathan after he moved his family here and poured his life into this ministry for over a year.” So, here we are, a family of four- moved away from our home, away from a job, away from our fear of going back into ministry and now without these things. We invested more into this church then we ever had before, and then we got tossed out. Not only did I lose my job but I lost my support, my creative outlet, and my friends. Stuck here alone, our family was stranded. Yes, I found a job that pays very little and yes, we are getting by; but no, we aren’t going to church right now. We tried for a couple Sunday’s but it was too painful; every time we went into a church here or anywhere we felt the pain all over again. I am thankful for those few people that believe in me enough to help financially support us while we finish school. Thank you for those of you who are doing that. But for the most part we are on our own. Where is the support and love that we felt on that stage welcoming us to the church when we moved here? While I was thinking about it, (going over it in my head it still doesn’t make sense but I continue to read my Bible and write lessons that hopefully someday I will have the chance to teach) this verse stood out and helps me- Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message) 28-30"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill fitting on you. Keep Company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly. Yes, I am tired. I am tired of churches not having faith, and I’m tired of churches breaking promises. Jesus spoke about faith frequently and he also spoke about those who didn’t live by faith. It seems we stand on faith often but not enough. We live on faith but not enough. We want to be comfortable, we want to have enough money in our accounts, but where is the faith? God will provide right? My family jumped out on faith moving away from all we knew and now what? I was blessed to be able to go down to Mexico and serve the people there and rekindle my desire to serve those less fortunate then we are. I really heard God speak to me and for ten days before Easter, Shanna and I chose to do the Daniel fast to seek God’s guidance. We have felt a great calm about where we are in life right now. While I know it will take awhile to heal, I know God is faithful if walk with Him. Well, we are taking a chance and living on faith. We are moving our family forward. In June we will be moving to California. This is a huge step of faith, but so far God has been faithful to us in this decision. A family friend came forward when she heard we were moving and is going to rent us an amazing house at below market price. Shanna has an amazing opportunity to start a Preschool program working with my Mom’s established daycare and we both will continue to go to school. The only missing part right now is where I will work. But I have faith God will provide a job that is right for me and my family. My parents are excited about this move and have been supportive. I’m not putting the idea of going back into ministry out of my head but the pain is still too new for me to think about that right now. I will be doing some volunteer work and start regular trips to San Francisco to feed the homeless. God has created me a very specific way and I know he will use my family and me for His work where ever we are. We will still be here unitl June but it is unclear if we will be able to walk into the church again to say good-bye.