Christmas Greetings...

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!
I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!
Luke 2:30-32

This year can be best summarized with one word…CHANGE! Most of you have been well informed on this year’s changes, but as a Christmas tradition, we must document it! We have changed continents, zip codes, employment, and schools. Despite all these big changes, WE have changed most of all. We have grown in our relationship with God, in our relationship with one another and as a family.

On April 3rd, we did not know, when we turned off the lights and locked the doors to our home in Yaroslavl, Russia, that it would be our last time. Our plans were to return to Russia in July, with plunder from the States. We did not know we would not be returning. We did not say good-byes to our dear friends, team mates or neighbors; we did not take one last look around the city that had become so familiar and that we had come to call home; we did not pack as if we would not be returning…we simply did not know.

This summer, between visiting family, traveling and speaking engagements, we learned that Gideon has some learning disabilities. In September, after extensive evaluations, we discovered that the delays were significant and it was required that we not return to Russia. The next day, we enrolled Gideon in public school in the States.

Even though this came as a complete surprise, the details quickly fell into place. We are currently living in a Mission Home provided by Village Baptist Church in Oklahoma City and Gideon is in Kindergarten at Ridgeview Elementary School. We have taken a Leave of Absence from the International Mission Board and are still seeking the Lord’s will regarding employment and ministry in the states. Through it all, God has been completely faithful and we are enjoying the incredible journey!

We have realized that God’s agenda and our agenda are not always the same. Although this has been one of the most difficult times of our lives, we trust that God’s plan is perfect! Please pray that we would have wisdom and discernment to obey God wherever He leads.

Since September, we have been seeking God for wisdom and direction…to show us what He wants us to do. The answer consistently has been WAIT. We feel like we have a few puzzle pieces to our future, but are trying to figure out how they go together. Please pray the Lord would give us wisdom and direction us as we continue to seek the His will regarding our future.

Pray that Gideon and ME continue to love and excel in school, relationships and in their knowledge of the Lord. Pray that they would become who God wants them to be. Pray that we would be full of joy and peace as we wait upon the Lord.

We love and appreciate you!
Keith, Kristie, Gideon and Mary Elizabeth Sullivan

“But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31