We are both saddened and thrilled to announce our fellow missionaries, the Carter family, have left our ministry in Equatorial Guinea. Jason, Lisa, and their three awesome boys have been forced to permanently return to the U.S. due to health issues. Last week, Jason and Lisa returned to Equatorial Guinea, packed up their home, said many tearful goodbyes, and flew back to the U.S.
It is thrilling to announce that Jason has been hired as the new head pastor at Trinity Wellsprings Church in Satellite Beach, FL. This a wonderful calling for the Carter family and it is exciting to know they will continue to minister to others, and will be closer to the medical resources their family needs.
It is sad for us as the Carters were the only other missionaries associated with our IBCP seminary. They had been in Equatorial Guinea serving as WEC missionaries for most of the last 15 years. They were experienced in Africa and they were involved in the early days of the ministry. We came to EG to work alongside the Carters and be guided by their wisdom. We were excited to work with the Carters, and to be honest, we never would have joined the ministry if they weren’t here. But, God’s plan is perfect. In the end, we actually only got to serve alongside the Carters for our first two months. Since June of 2016 we have been flying solo as the Carters were in the U.S. tending to unforeseen medical needs.
Please pray for the Carters. Their hearts are breaking as they are forced to leave Equatorial Guinea and a culture they intended to serve for many years to come. Pray for them as they move their family to Florida. And, pray for Jason as he loves and serves the new culture to which God has called him. Pray God, the perfect physician, will care for their family.
Pray for Erin and Mike and the national run IBCP Seminary. Pray we all work well together to serve this culture and glorify God. Pray Mike and Erin lean on God as he continues to help them to maneuver the culture and love the people we serve. This is a hard environment in which to live. It is even harder to do without experienced mentors.