May Update 2024

Formation Journey - Upcoming - Prayer Requests - Photo Dump

First of all, I want to say thank you to all of you who have encouraged us and helped us out of the last 7+ years. We are taking what feels like a big step forward toward missions and I can't help but look back and think about all the help and encouragement it took for us to get to this point. Some of you helped us pack, some helped us load and unload our moving trucks, some let us store our stuff in your basement, some watched out kids while we worked overnights or traveled, some kept us out of trouble with their prayers and guidance, some gave us much-needed furniture, clothes, and food, and some wrote very timely checks. We never would have believed that we could be involved in missions if it were not for you and we certainly wouldn't have made it to or through seminary without this community. We are truly thankful for all you have already done for us and for your continued involvement in this journey, as evidenced by you reading this post! In May, Rett moved through the interview process with BEE World and was approved to go on his first facilitation (interactive teaching) trip with a seasoned missionary at the beginning of August. (check out more specific details here!) After this, Lord willing, we'll begin the process of Missionary Partner Development (a.k.a. fundraising) toward full-time missions work, initiating nationally-led, multiplication-based training programs for the theological education of church leaders who would not otherwise receive biblical training. Check out this page on BEE World's website for more details, or message us!

How is Life?

Life continues to be intense, but I'm grateful that it is a little less intense than the last few months. It was extremely satisfying to finish up the semester, travel to Dallas, hang out a little with my professors and classmates, participate in all of the graduation-related celebrations, see friends, stop by our Dallas church for Ascension Sunday (in Ascension Chapel) and check out reunion tower before heading back (pictures here). Now I'm a few weeks into my summer classes and am happy to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It will be a good feeling to be training others in a few months, while taking a break from pursuing any of my own education.

Rett is continuing to work at the UPS store while support raising and learning the ropes at BEE World. He definitely has a lot on his plate right now, so prayers for endurance and guidance are definitely appreciated! If you are want to learn more about what he is going to be doing overseas, check out the BEE World Romans curriculum here or better yet, send us a message and let him tell you all about it over coffee or a phone call.

Ryan and Cecilia report that they enjoyed getting to visit Dallas, especially connecting with old friends and getting to swim in the hotel pool. They are also enjoying being out of school which gives them extra time to play in the dirt, help with chores, practice their activities, and catch up on video games. Finally, River (our cat) is happy that we finally got our portable AC unit out from the garage and got it running for summer, especially enjoying the cool breeze while hanging out on the giant beanbag in the living room.

As my season of education comes to a close over the next few months and a season of ministry looks to be on the horizon, I find it a little hard to conceive of what the future may look like. What will fundraising look like? How will we coordinate ministry and family life? What will it look like to have a spouse for a coworker? Fortunately over the past few years, we've all gotten a little more comfortable with uncertainty (you likely have as well!), and I find that it is getting a little bit easier to just rest in the fact that God and his plans and provision have gone before us.

Formation Journey

If there is one growth journey I would highlight over the last month (or way, way longer) it is the journey toward contentment with my own limitations. If I were to highlight fruits of the Spirit that relate, this might fit under peace, patience, self-control, or all of them to one degree or another. Contentment with what God has given us is certainly good ground for these fruits to grow or mature from.

If I had to choose a spiritual discipline to highlight that relates to contentment (as I have been attempting to do recently) I might file my current experience under the heading of "simplicity" a spiritual discipline that when mentioned is frequently connected to Jesus' instruction to the rich young ruler to sell all he had and follow him (Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30), his instructions to his followers to seek first the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 6:31-34), and his desire that we learn to rest in him (Matthew 11:28-30). If we needed more encouragement, we can look at New Testament passages pointing to the value of contentment and living a quiet life (1 Timothy 6:6-8; Philippians 4:11-13), and Old Testament passages that also highlight the importance of accepting our limitations, my favorite of which is probably Psalm 127:1-2.

It is apparent from the verses above that accepting our financial constraints and not flaunting our wealth are highlighted in scripture and fit within the traditional understanding of "simplicity." I also find myself being drawn to simplicity in my goals, managing our weekly schedule, garden planning, family time, etc. These ideas that are natural applications of passages on trust in God and avoidance of endless vain labor and worrying. With our family's time constrained by the necessities of work and school, I find that my desire to do something perfectly or with a certain level of timeless quality means that the task or activity will never get done, or I will be burnt out, tired, and frustrated after completing it. So instead I am learning to appreciate simple things, like simple but healthy meals that use what we have on hand, a simple garden with a few of our favorites, time as a family eating meals or in the car or just sitting together, comfortable shoes that I can wear with all my outfits, and a clean-enough living room. I still feel the pull to make things cleaner, more interesting, and more exciting, but each time I am forced to do things simply, I learn to appreciate it a little more, to thank God for what we were able to accomplish, and for the restfulness that this slight change of attitude is producing in me.

What is God teaching you through simplicity?

What limitations do you feel God asking you to give over to him?

How have your limitations been used by God in the past to grow your faith?

Upcoming

Click here to view secure details about our upcoming work with BEE World. There is no cost or additional emails connected to creating a personal login, it simply helps us speak more freely, with less concern about who can view the information we share.

Prayer Requests

First praise the Lord with us for Rett moving forward in the process to being a facilitator with BEE World! This process has been an area of hope and prayer for a long time!

Second, please keep Rett's upcoming travel and lesson preparation in your prayers. He has a whole course to review and multiple presentations to put together in a relatively short period of time, on top of helping me with the house and the kids, while I finish up my last summer courses! Prayer for wisdom, endurance, and protection from harm and distractions would be greatly appreciated.

As always, thank you so much for your prayers for our family and your encouragement. We wouldn’t be here without you and we want you to know that we truly feel blessed by your continued involvement with our family through the past 7+ years! We are praying for you too, so if you have any specific requests, let us know!

With all our love,

The Dvorak Family

Rett, Kim, Ryan, and Cecilia

Photo Dump

Cecilia's Birthday Brunch

Graduation Celebration (A Little Early) More Pictures Here!

Ryan's Last Day of Lower School

12th Anniversary Date, Watching Local Bands in Colorado Springs!

Isaiah 52:7

How beautiful on the mountains

are the feet of those who bring good news,

who proclaim peace,

who bring good tidings,

who proclaim salvation,

who say to Zion,

“Your God reigns!”

Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices;

together they shout for joy.

When the Lord returns to Zion,

they will see it with their own eyes.

Burst into songs of joy together,

you ruins of Jerusalem,

for the Lord has comforted his people,

he has redeemed Jerusalem.