In the rush to get our sabbatical started, pack up our entire house, and move from South Africa to California for the year, I haven’t sat down to write in detail about this sabbatical thingy. But, with a little room to breathe, I wanted to start giving our friends more information on what we are up to. I am sure this will turn into a multiple-post series, especially as we process and can begin to share what God is doing in us through the process.
In wrapping up our time with NieuCommunities in Pretoria and before starting for something new in Cape Town, we have a unique and precious window of time to let God prepare us in significant ways. For today, some basics on the PURPOSES of our sabbatical…
1. The first purpose of our sabbatical is rest from several years of cross-cultural living and ministry. We need to decompress, have time as a couple, and opportunity to do things as a family that we haven’t made as much time for in the last several years as we would have liked to. We believe this will put us in a better place personally, spiritually, and relationally.
2. A second purpose of our sabbatical is restoration. This is part of the reason we needed to leave our normal environment so we have time, space, and freedom from our normal obligations that can detract from making growth a top priority. We are in the middle of a great program at Link Care in Fresno specifically designed for missionaries and their unique needs. We will continue counseling throughout our time in Fresno as part of the process of continuing to grow into the people God wants us to be. A big part of what we anticipate is deeper intimacy with God, one another, and all those God brings into our life.
3. A third reason for our sabbatical is reflection on the past several years of life and ministry. What has taken place in our personal lives, what have we learned about life in community, how has God shaped and used us in South Africa, and what does all this mean for the future? Expect lots of writing…
4. The final purpose for our sabbatical is preparation for what God has in store for us in this next season of life and ministry. We have some pretty good ideas about what that will look like, but want God to confirm and clarify. We expect God to further reveal hopes, details, and specifics. We also anticipate this leading us to further training and learning to get us ready. And, we want to use this time to develop the patterns and habits we will need to continue successfully in the next season. Of course, you will hear more and more as we do, and as we gear up for all that is to come when our sabbatical ends on May 31.
For now, we are settling into life, school for the kids, and soon a new house (renting from friends) in Fresno! More on all that, and some pics, soon 
In the meantime, would appreciate your comments and prayers.
Appreciate the depth of your honesty and sharing. Look forward to updates as appropriate, given you are here to rest from “shoulds”.
It’s so exciting to have you guys back in California! We will definitely need to work out a way to see you sometime once you get settled in. We love you so much! J
Thanks for keeping in touch, Arthur. Will continue to follow your blog.
Glad to hear that you are settling well. Hope your rest and reconnection time will bless you all.
Let us know if you come down to Ventura!
[...] we approach the end of our 10-month sabbatical, you may be wondering, “What’s next for the Stewart family?” Or you may be [...]