.

July 2007 Talbot/Kyiv Journal
"...and the government will rest on his shoulders...there will be no end to the increase of his government."  Isaiah 9:6, 7

Dear Friends,

These words by the prophet Isaiah about the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, have a special meaning for us as have traveled with you the last several months.  In April we wrote you of our immediate return from Kyiv to California because of the recurrence of Bonnie's cancer.  It was determined that the cancer had also metastasized and chemo treatments began immediately.  Those treatments are over for the time being as the cancer markers have come down to 30 after initially presenting at over 200.  Bonnie's case is considered chronic, so the next step is to wait for any movement in the numbers at which time more chemo is applied.  Change in the numbers can happen after 6 months or it can be much longer, but it has become clear that baring supernatural intervention from the Lord, who can heal with a word, this will be our battle all of Bonnie's life.

In these months since we last wrote we have been recipients to two kinds of side effects - the chemo-kind and the God-kind.  Those of chemo are less pleasant; but how sweet are god's!  His care for us directly through His Spirit who refreshes us with His truth and love, plus His kindness through His people has been our strength and support, along this road of transition because it has become clear to us that in these new circumstances working in Ukraine is no longer the path for our family.  Last month we officially resigned from SEND International to be effective September 30 bringing to a close 15 years of ministry with the great folks of SEND we had as teammates in Ukraine and the wonderful home office staff.

In the meantime, we plan to stay in southern California where Bonnie's treatments will continue at the City of Hope and where doors of employment and ministry have opened for Mark at Biola University.  He will teach theology as a full-time professor at Talbot School of theology.  We are very grateful that this position will allow him to continue to direct the Talbot extension program at Kyiv Theological Seminary of which we have written and prayed for the last several years.  He will continue to travel to Kyiv to teach and administrate at least a couple of times a year.  It has also been a blessing for our family to be back at Granada Heights Friend Church where we will settle as part of their church family.

The boys will also be settling back in to Southern California schools.  Ben will be taking his 8th grade year at Heights Christian Jr. High School before heading off to public high school, and Josh our tall 4th grader will attend the elementary school near the apartment we rent in Brea.  We've been pleased with the options these schools present for us and the boys.  We do not know where we will ultimately live, but both of these schools seem to be great for us at the time being.

Our transition back to life in america is why isaiah's words are so meaningful.  That's because they call us to remember who really is in control of everything, including our changes, and what changes in our lives ultimately mean.  Because the "government" is Christ's and His rule is always increasing that means, as a veteran SEND missionary once reminded us, that change in our life is always for the increase.  In one sense it is sad for us to conclude our active ministry with SEND and Kyiv Seminary, but change is always for the increase in Christ's government.  It is for our increase; it is for SEND's increase; and it is Kyiv Seminary's increase too.  That is because the one in charge is able to turn every circumstance into fruit and increase for His people and His purpose.  Remember Joseph's words in Genesis 50:20 if there is any doubt of that.

So we, together with all of  God's people who know that He is true, look with hope to our future.  Ours is a living hope according to the apostle Peter (I Peter 1:3), which goes before us in all of our changes and is the balm to any sadness they might bring.

Here at the end of our careers as missionaries in Ukraine our hearts are filled with thanksgiving for you, the team God has brought together for prayer, finances and countless other kinds of support over the years.  We know that you will continue to be rooting for us and caring for us and we are glad that our fellowship together will not be so long-distance.  But the trappings of missionaries in Ukraine will end for the Saucy's will end; the Saucy's Kyiv Journal will transition to other forms of communication, and September will be the last month that SEND receipts funds for us as career missionaries, including the Ukraine field's benevolent fund that has helped us these last months. 

With thanksgiving in His grace and peace

Mark, Bonnie, Ben and Josh

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.