We’re sorry for the lack of updates on here. Things have
been quite busy as we arrived back in Zambia just over a month ago, signed a
lease on a new house, and celebrated Valentine’s Day with our ladies & our
friends. But I can’t really say that the busyness is why we haven’t been
writing as much on here. It’s because we’ve been preparing for a new chapter of
life, one we want to share with y’all.
There are a million prayers (well, almost), and a billion
emotions behind this one. But we land on excitement, anticipation, and peace as
we share with you the next chapter of the #BardiParty: We are moving back to
America to be based Stateside for the next couple of years.
Here are the deets (leaving out a ton for time/space sake):
After the legal stuff wraps up here, hopefully sometime in mid-April, we’re
moving back to the US for a period of time, for the best step for CiH (and our
personal lives/marriage/etc.). There are many factors at play, many quite
complicated, but the gist of it is that Clothed in Hope needs Stateside
support- increased funding, staffing, wholesale/corporate partners, etc.- if we
want to continue (and we do!!). And there’s just not anyone who is able to do
this right now. So while we’d love to pray someone into existence who could be the
voice and hands of CiH Stateside so we can continue living our life here in
Zam, we also have to look at the reality of today. There’s a need. There’s an
opportunity. So we’re going to walk into it. We’re going to do what some may
view as easier, but is actually harder, for us to move back to the US. After
all, the only thing we’ve ever known as Mr. and Mrs. is life in Zam- ain’t that
crazy?!
We’re obviously sad to say goodbye to the community of
church and friends we’ve built over the last year. We’re sad to not get to live
daily life with the women and kids at the Chikondi Community Center. But we are
grateful for this opportunity, and the women are too. We’re looking big picture
for what needs to happen for Clothed in Hope to really reach the place we
believe God is calling us to, and this is just a step in the journey. Once we
get to a place of Stateside capacity/sustainability, we would love to move back
here and pick back up with our lives.
The ladies who run CiH in Zambia now are still killin’ it.
And apart from the personal sadness of not getting to be together everyday,
they completely understood and were 100% supportive of our decision to move
back. Nothing in Zambia will change.
I may not have let onto it all along, but we have 6 local staff members who are
doing an incredible job. They are really the ones running the program here. And
the fact that we’ve come to a place of in-country sustainability, being run
100% by nationals (a dream of many healthy international nonprofits), is
amazing. A miracle, really. God is guiding this program. He is growing leaders
out of former students. He is igniting change within a community, and it’s far
beyond the Bardis, thankfully.
And that’s about it. Nothing tragic, nothing crazy (well,
too crazy). Just another step for the #BardiParty in being faithful to where we
see God leading. Never a dull moment around here, that’s for sure.
Here’s a little FAQ of things you may be wondering and would
like to ask, or are too afraid to ask, or don’t feel like you know us well
enough to ask, but would like to know anyways…
1. How long will you be back in the US?
We’re not sure yet. Just taking this thing one step at a
time, but praying about 2-3 years.
2. Did something really awful happen that made you guys want
to come back?
Nope!
3. Was Zambia life too hard for y’all?
Though it’s challenging, no. We’ve really enjoyed it here!
4. Won’t it be easier to come back to America?
Sure everyday conveniences may make things “easier,” but for
us it’ll be a challenging move. One we would appreciate your prayers for. We’ll
be transitioning from living in a developing nation, perhaps dealing head-on
with all that’s really meant but we haven’t had time to process yet. We
built our community and our lives here, and that’s definitely not “easy” to
leave.
5. What will y’all do for jobs?
Amy will continue working full-time for CiH, probably
traveling a lot to speak, fundraise, network, etc. Wyatt is looking for a
full-time job to support our family financially since Amy’s salary won’t be
(and hasn’t ever been) enough to support our lives- a choice made so even more
money can go directly to the CiH program in Zam right now.
6. What kind of job is Wyatt looking for?
Wyatt would love a (non-support-raised) job related to or in
the following fields: youth-related nonprofits, ministry, counseling. He
graduated with a Youth Ministry degree from CIU. So if you have any leads,
holler at us ;)
7. Where will y’all live?
Great question! We have no idea, and are open to many places
in the Southeast depending on where Wyatt is able to find a job. Our top 3 are
Charleston, Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham.
8. What will happen to everything in Zambia with CiH?
Nothing and lots of things! Nothing is changing with our
programming. If anything, we’re growing, led by the vision and ability of our
in-country staff. We’ve got some fun new products and programs in the works for
2015 and they aren’t contingent on our being in Zambia. And that’s a great
place to be as an organization.
9. Will you go back in the meantime?
Yes! Amy will be going back every February and September
(tentatively, as much as can be planned). Wyatt will join her as his job
allows. Read: there might be times when Wyatt can’t come that Amy could bring a
group- get excited, y’all!
10. How can we help?
We’re not too sure yet. Right now, helping Wyatt with job
leads and such would be huge. That’s the first step. Apart from that, just
prayer and lots of it as we walk into much unknown but knowing that Jesus is
with us as much in Zam as He will be in the US. We would also love the space to
just “be” through this transition, and grace in the silence.
Thank y’all for caring for us, for supporting us, for
cheering us on, and for continuing to do all that as we move the #BardiParty
from Zam to the US in the next couple of months! We are grateful for y’all,
like woah.
Love,
A&W
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ps Thanks to all of y'all who have been praying for and checking in on Margret! She's fully recovered, CT scan normal. Doctors conclude that it was most likely a minor stroke called TIA (yes, really) that could happen again but hopefully won't. She's taking aspirin daily and has a load of prayer warriors behind her, and wanted me to share how she thanks God for each one of you!
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