Dear Friends-

We hope this note finds you well and enjoying your summer!  Things have been a blur here since we last sent an update.  We have been unable to write with definite news for some time because things have been in such a state of fluctuation and progress.  After a great deal of discussion with MTW, we have decided to return to the states and end our term of service.  There are many  factors contributing to this decision including the state of our financial support and the circumstances in ministry on the field.

We are making preparations to sell many of our belongings, pack the rest and return to North Carolina.  At this time our plans are to relocate to the western part of the state, where most of Sarah's family is located.  It is hard saying goodbye to so many Belizean friends who have become such an important part of our lives during our time here.  We are torn between our emotional investment here and the comfort of returning to our extended family in the States.

As we leave, we look back at all God has done in our lives and in the lives of those who we have known here.  We will be forever grateful for how our view of Christ's Church has expanded through the opportunity to join in worship with believers from other languages and backgrounds.  The things that we value have also changed.  Not simply materially, but also in the area of personal relationships and in our relationship with Christ.  We know that we have not begun to see all the blessings that we have received through serving the Lord for this season in Belize.  We also know that the seeds which we have seen planted will continue to grow and mature because it is the Lord who has done the work and it is He who will complete it.

We want to thank you all for your constant support over the past two years.  As we have gone through the process of evaluation, itineration, training and missionary service, your prayers, words of encouragement and generous financial support have helped to carry us through.  Thank you for making it possible for us to have the honor of serving our Lord.  We know that all the glory goes to Him, because He has moved in the hearts of His people to accomplish His purposes and we have all been given the privilege of being a part of it.

As we return to life in the States, we will remain on salary with MTW until the end of September.  This will give us a few weeks to get back, get settled and for Scott to try and secure a job.  Please consider continuing your support through this time to help us make the difficult transition.  Once we return, we would love the opportunity to talk with you about all that we have experienced.  We would like to be able to encourage you by sharing all that God has done here.  Our heart's desire is that you would know how vital you have been to our ministry in Belize.

Please pray for us in the coming weeks.  We want to be able to have closure here for ourselves and for the children.  Please pray that we would know how to help them through this time of change and that we would reflect Christ in our words and actions as we depart.  Of course, there are a million practical little details that you can pray for as well.  But we are not anxious.  We are truly resting in the faithfulness of God and looking to Him to lead us to whatever is next.

Scott and Sarah Arensman