Derksen Update Fall 2020

Dear Family & Friends,

What a world we live in right now! There seems to be so much going on and so many changes in how we function in this world. We pray that each of you is finding deep inner peace in Father. If there is any way that we can support you, please feel free to write a comment on this blog.

Along with the effects of COVID-19, we have also been going through a season of transition in our lives. In late fall we had a conversation with our supervisors in our mission and let them know that we sensed that we should be handing over our leadership role as the Latin American (Caribbean Sun) regional developers for the Christian & Missionary Alliance in Canada. We worked for months with them and our teammates in the region to design and implement a succession plan. We are so thankful that together we were able to accomplish the transition by June 30, 2020.

We are very thankful for our global team, which consists of the regional developers from the other regions around the world, our VP couple, and our member care couple. What a great team of people we have had the privilege of working with. Here is a picture of our last Zoom (the new normal for international leadership :0) when they celebrated with us together and affirmed us in such personal ways.

We also had the privilege of being fare-welled by our whole team in the region. What a joy to be with our colleagues one last time, all in one online environment.

We are so thankful for the opportunity to serve with these people for the last 12 years. For those of you who have followed our journey for a while, we left Egypt in 2008 to take on the regional leadership role in Latin America (where we started our international career – Mexico 1992-2001). We started the regional role living in Costa Rica, but have led the region from Kelowna, BC, for the last 7 years because of Michelle’s need for ongoing treatments.

“So, what’s next?” is the question that we are often asked. And the answer to that is, “We don’t know!” We feel a bit like God has called us to an Abrahamic/Sarahite journey, where God said to Abram “leave what is known to you and go to a place that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1 – our revised translation :0). So, we left behind what is known to us and we are trusting the LORD to show us what is next. In the meantime we are doing a one year home assignment which gives us space to serve the churches in British Columbia, study, and rest. That is our current mandate.

And, of course, we get to spend time with our immediate and extended family. For a season all of our kids live here in the Okanagan (2 in Kelowna, 2 in Vernon). We didn’t know that this would ever happen, but we are sure glad that it has!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course this little guy, Emil, son to Mitch & Lauren, is a highlight for us right now.  We are so thankful to live close (he lives in Vernon) and to be a part of his life.

Thank you for your ongoing love, prayers, and support.  We continue to be supported by the Global Advance Fund of the Alliance Church in Canada.  Please consider giving towards our support by using this link.

You can be praying that this will be a good season of serving the BC Alliance churches, of serving our local community, of learning, and that it would include good rest for us as well.  Feel free to use the Comments section to communicate with us.

You are much loved and appreciated.

Murray & Michelle