I am a single lady, and I come home to the States every two years. When I travel to my supporting churches, I ask ahead for anyone who has an extra bedroom for short stay.  I am very appreciative of the hospitality of those who offer.  But I find they are mostly offering a room that they use as a storage space, without any empty drawers or shelves.  So for the entire two months that I travel, I live from my luggage.  Mostly always I am sharing a bathroom as well.  For one stay that would not be troublesome, but after two months it becomes quite stressful.  What a blessing it would be to have a house available for some of that time.

Lori Whitham, Pioneer Bible Translators


Furlough – it’s no vacation!  The good – seeing family, friends, smooth roads!  a church you can understand, Happy Meals, dinner and a movie…  so much to look forward to when going home for furlough!  But then the not so good – where to get a car?  The kids’ school is totally disrupted, travel, travel, travel… and not at all least – where to live.  What a blessing, to have a home dedicated to those who call the US “home”, but have no home there.  To have a place such as this, would take away so much stress, it is hard to explain to someone who has never done a furlough from overseas.  Anyway, I pray that God will bless this project, and those who wish to partner with God to make it a reality, this is big!

Sincerely,

Marty from Papua New Guinea

In 2008, our family returned to the USA for furlough.  Being a missionary, I know that I am “doomed” to a life of wandering a bit, so it comes as no surprise.  As we were planning where we would live, my sense of apprehension I had caught me off guard, not knowing exactly where we would be or what situation we would have for our children. We were blessed that one of our supporting churches happened to have a house/parsonnage that was made available to us.  I was surprised by the feeling of relief I had.  During furlough, though we still traveled quite a bit, having place to return to, a refuge was so important. I remember hearing years ago Rick talk about this vision.  At the time I was a young single college student who thought it was a neat idea.  Now as a missionary with a family, the generosity and sacrificial attitude demonstrated for folks like me is beyond encouraging.  At times it’s easy for a missionary to feel like one of the “forgotten ones” of the church. People like Rick and his family remind us that we aren’t forgotten, but bathed in love, care and prayers flowing from the Father.  Thanks to the Starr family for making Rick’s vision of A Refuge a reality.

Andy


We want to hear your stories of Rick, what he means to you, and what ARefuge means to you. Anything and everything.

Send them to starr@arefuge.org and we’ll post them up here on this page!