Here is an update from the Pattersons:
We are excited to let our Redeemer family know that the Pattersons are moving to Tanzania this August, for Aaron to teach 4th grade at HOPAC. Our family has been praying about possible opportunities to move overseas for several years, exploring options that would keep us connected to Redeemer as we participate in God’s global mission. We connected with HOPAC through the Lindstroms, and in a whirlwind that only God could have orchestrated, things moved quickly in the past month from initial contact to a job offer. It has been so encouraging to see the Lord prepare both our path and our hearts to go. Many of you have been praying with us along the way; thank you! Please continue to pray for our whole family to be dependent on the triune God as we transition, to be humble as we learn how to live in a new culture, and to be fruitful for Christ’s kingdom in Dar es Salaam. While we will miss participating in the daily life of our church while we’re in Tanzania, we will still consider ourselves a little piece of Redeemer in Africa, and we’d love to keep you updated about all the Savior does as we go.
Here is an update from the Lindstroms:
Hi church family! We are very excited to be sharing this update with you. Over the past few months, God has re-opened the door, a door we truly thought had been closed, and provided affirmation for our family to return to Tanzania! Dar es Salaam, Tanzania was our home from August 2018 – October 2020 (with an unexpected 5 months in the US due to the Covid pandemic in 2020) as we served at Haven of Peace Academy (HOPAC). HOPAC is a special place that has Christ at its center and actively seeks to build up students and families to know and follow Christ, and to take that out to the local community, the nation of Tanzania, and other parts of East Africa. When we packed up and left Dar this past October due to work permit issues, our hearts were heavy. We didn’t know what was ahead for our family, but we believed Tanzania was no longer in the picture. We were wrong, and we are thankful to again be reminded that God’s plans and timing are much bigger and better than our limited view. We continue to pray that He will line us up with His will and we will be open to His leading and direction. In January, we received a call from HOPAC’s board chairman asking if Chris would be interested in returning to HOPAC in an administrative leadership role. Over the next few months, Chris was offered the role of Business Manager for the school and we accepted, trusting that the Lord will continue to make provision for us to return. Being back in-person at Redeemer has been sweet for our family. We are so thankful to be part of the Christ-centered and grace-filled community of Redeemer, both when close by and at a distance. Thank you for your love, prayer and support – we will miss you, but we know that God is faithful and is the same here in Illinois as He is in Africa!