Community Shuffle

When we first moved to Belgium in the beginning of 2010, we thought we would be living in a close knit community all within a few miles of each other so that we could join together for morning worship as well as Shabbat meals. Little did we know that what God had in mind for a season was actually communal living!  75% of our team has been living together in the same house for two years, and God has made it clear in the last few months that change is coming.

This has been such a special season and we know it was from God. Financially, spiritually and more, we have all needed the close knit support that communal living brings. Sure it’s not always easy living in a home with 16 people (7 of those children), but God was forming us and challenging us and causing us to love deeper than before.

Doors have now opened for some of the team to transition to their own houses. We are all in agreement that God has spoken. Our vision and core value of community is still just as clear and strong, but we will no longer be living all in the same house.  It has become apparent that we need more room here at the Base to be able to house interns that have already signed on while continuing to foster a sense of close-knit community.

This is our Shuffle:

Allyster (who has been living with the Lowries) moved to an apartment on the top floor of the Commission Prayer Room in February.  He and Laetitia are getting married 6 April and will be living there at the CPR.
Jon and Destiny are moving to a house down the street from the NinthHour base in March.
Gary and Jerri are looking at relocating to an apartment in the CPR building in the near future.
Nathan and Courtney will be able to spread out and give their children another bedroom, as well as create a separate living area upstairs for their family. (All four children have been in one bedroom for two years!)
All of this shuffle opens rooms at the base to house single adults for 3-month internships.

We are excited about the changes and know that God is aligning the ministry for expansion. We are convinced that this change equals growth. So pray for our team as we do the NinthHour Shuffle!