Peace in the Year to Come
- Gillian Dean
- Feb 7, 2023
- 3 min read
A shorter update for those that missed that last long one
Ukrainians
Today I am happy to report that all the refugees that we took in last winter have been settled in the area with their own homes, language classes, schools, and jobs. Thank you all who gave over this last year and if you would like to continue giving toward the Ukrainian Refugees, I can direct you to our partner Base in Poland who continues to work with the refugees that come out of Ukraine.
Family
Matt shared in our last newsletter that he was struggling with depression and had to stop work because of it in the summer. It has been a hard journey and I am so proud and thankful to say that he is doing a lot better. He is talking with a counsellor, making great progress. As a couple, we took a marriage course online in December. This was and is extremely helpful for us to be able to talk about what we are both going through as the depression continues. A truly invaluable tool.
In the fall, Emeth was struggling with kindergarten and so we decided to keep him home. Matt and him now spend the mornings together and Elaina comes home in the afternoons from her time at kindergarten. I (Gillian) work at the base on Staff Care, and writing. Which I will tell you about now…
Staff Care
For myself I continue to work with the staff at our base to develop healthy work and life patterns that will sustain them through their time in missions. I am so happy to see many thriving and growing through continued discipleship and freedom in the areas of emotional, relational and spiritual health. Many stories I wish I could share of people getting the help that they needed through myself, counsellors or coaches that I can connect them with, and our Heavenly Father who speaks so clearly to them. Often all it takes is for me to sit down with them and help them slow down enough to hear what God is saying. Sometimes it is just learning to value themselves as well as the work God has given them to do here.
I am so thankful for what I have been able to do and I now look to the future and how to bring others on to do what I do when I leave.
Writing
I am now half way through my Author’s Training School and it has been such an amazing experience. To see the book that I have had in my head for years come out onto the page is very rewarding. The best part is creating with God and listening to Him as I write. He is the Creator and so world building is his thing. I would encourage you too that if you have a creative dream in your heart, to give God space to bring it about. It might be risky, and even if it feels silly, maybe God would like to do it with you. And that is a very good reason to do it.
2023
This is a big year for our Dean Team; Moving away from Germany in the summer and starting the next chapter of our lives. With Matt’s health the way it is and after 10 years of ministry here in Germany, we have been advised by mentors, counsellors, and our leaders to consider a sabbatical time after we move. So we are considering just that. We do not have any details on this at this point. We are talking with a sabbatical coach that will help guide us through that process.
We just wanted to let you all know much ahead of time and we will keep you updated as we go.
Please pray for our family as we navigate mental health, for our ministry with the staff, and for this coming year that God's peace and wisdom would be with us.
As always, thank you for partnering with us in prayer and support. As the calendar turned over, there were many questions for us and continue to be. But we see that God is lining up the answers as we seek him and are faithful with what he has given us right now. So we hold onto His hand as we walk with Him.
Many blessings to you all this February.
Matthew, Gillian, Elaina, and Emeth Dean
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