2020 Spring

Dear Family and Friends

It has been about one year since we sent out last newsletter.  We can only imagine that some of you are wondering, “What are the Pfennigers doing?!”  Well, here is a summary:

Big Events

• We had our 4^th child, Noll David Pfenniger, on August 21, 2019!  Our pregnancy was complicated by a diagnosis of severe polyhydramnios (too much fluid around the baby).  This created a bit of stress and lots of prayer.  That’s why we continue to thank God for a healthy mom and baby.

Work

• Fred finished the ER fellowship and started work with PEP physicians as of July 1, 2019.  He is working at multiple community ERs within the Parkview Health care system. Fred works between 2 to 3 twelve-hour shifts a week.
• As of January 15, 2020 Lydia has started working in Columbia City with Parkview Physicians.  She is working one day a week that includes 8 hours of family medicine clinic and 24 hours of OB call.
• Lydia’s and Fred’s work schedules are arranged such that one parent is always home with the kids, and for this we are very grateful to both Parkview and PEP Physicians and God’s provision in this.
• We continue to enjoy both working and living in Fort Wayne Indiana.
• We are hoping to move out of our 1300-square-foot apartment in the near future and into a rental house with more space and some “outside” room to play.  Where we go from the rental will be dependent on the “doors” that open.

Returning to Togo?

Luke 14:28-30 “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it.  Otherwise . . . all who see it begin to mock him, saying, “this man began to build and was not able to finish”

• If you remember, in January 2019 we were asked to consider returning to Togo as full-time missionaries by the new hospital administrator at HBB, in Togo.  After some discussion and realizing that not only do our “hearts” continue to be in Togo, but that we had some issues regarding vision and direction, we decided to go through the process of making an application.  Part of this process included a discussion with our sending church in Tacoma Washington (July 2019), reaching out to the missions committee at the church we are attending in Fort Wayne to see if someone could walk with us through this process (T&J); and attending the New Missionary Orientation course at ABWE in PA (Oct 2019). The results of this has been: we have been accepted by ABWE as full-time missionaries.  A final step, of this process, is still pending which consists of a site visit to Togo.  It is here where a final decision will be made by both the on-field missionaries and by us, as we meet in persons to understand goals, vision, direction, heart, etc.  We were hoping to do this visit in May, but secondary to the coronavirus outbreak, the trip will be delayed.

Why Missions?

Acts 20:24 “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

Song Well Done Lyrics “What will it be like when you call my name?  And that moment when I see You face to face?  I’m waiting my whole life to hear you say, ‘Well done, well done, My good and faithful one’.”

• What about retirement?  What about family?  What about this or that? These are questions we have heard a few times.  And no, we do not have all the answers.  However, instead of operating in fear, or simply saying “It cannot be done,” we have chosen to lay it before God.  In this we are going through both a “human” process and relying on faith.  The human process is that set out by ABWE, and so far they have not rejected us.  Faith on the other hand is our belief system.  Through study and prayer, our faith includes the following ideas:
  • Justification –> we have nothing to prove; we are loved and accepted because of Christ
  • Sanctification –> we are working through in thought, character, and action to become like Christ
  • Humility –> we work on purposefully listening to what others have to say; we express what we believe in love and in an attitude of willingness to learn, and we look for ways to serve those around us.
  • Righteousness / Justice –> we do it because it is the right thing to do, and it honors God our Father
  • Community –> we endeavor to connect with others –the building of our spiritual lives and walking with and beside others in this life through mountaintops and valleys

God asks nothing of us, simply to believe.  In believing, we attempt to emulate Him in character, thought, word, doing what is right, and connecting with people.  Becoming a missionary is one way of doing this.  And yes, one may observe that we can operate here in the US as missionaries, easier than we can overseas and still have the benefit of retirement, etc.  You would be right.  And in recognizing this idea, and not knowing where God wants us, we continue not only to “connect” to our Fort Wayne community waiting for God to tell us to go or stay, but to live responsibly such that we have the flexibility to respond to God’s call.

Kids

• Noah
  • Noah is in Grade 2 at Blackhawk Christian School and is enjoying his time.  He loves to read.  Outside of school, and since our last newsletter, Noah has and continues to practice Karate, has participated in cub scouts, has played basketball, baseball, and completed some swim lessons.  He continues to be a very “social” person with a gentle heart, great observational skills and a quiet determination.  The other day, he told me after the fact that he had asked his teacher to pray for me (Fred).  When I asked him questions, I was, to say the least, humbled.  I am left with no doubt of the impact my actions, words, thoughts, moments are having on him.  Noah celebrated his 8^th birthday on March 26^th.

• Nathanael
  • Nathanael is in preschool at Blackhawk Christian School and is enjoying his time.  He loves to go to school, which is a relief b/c at the start of the year he did not.  He continues to attend private speech lesson once a week and has made great progress.  Per his preschool teacher he is a well-liked student who is academically capable.  Our dilemma this year will be whether we should move Nathanael to pre-K or kindergarten next year.  The reasons for doing a pre-K year would be to give Nathanael more time to work on his speech.  It is a decision process we are currently working through.  Outside of school, and since our last newsletter, Nathanael has played baseball and basketball, completed some swim lessons, and participated in gymnastics.  Despite his size, he is “fearless” in his play and is often seen practicing what he is learning versus “playing”.  And then there is his “devious” side that can only be explained with a story.   During a parent-teacher meeting, we learnt that Nathanael was having difficulty spelling his name.  At home, we asked him to spell his name.  He wrote four letters.  When we asked what he spelt, he smiled and said N-A-M-E!  It turns out he can spell his name, but choose not too!  Nathanael celebrated his 5^th birthday on March 19^th.

Noémi

• Noémi is our “child” of the moment.  She is full of energy and smiles, wanting to do what her brothers do, whether it is homework, playing with cars or marbles; watching TV; etc.  She holds her own well with Nathanael, being confused from time to time as his twin. (She is tall for her age, and he is short for his age).  She has recently taken to a doll she treats as a baby.  She is learning to cheer for her brothers as they play sports and often expresses an interest in going with them.  We are hoping she will take to the potty soon so that we can enroll her at Blackhawk Christian School this fall for three half-days a week of preschool (and a break for Dad and Mom).  Noémi will be celebrating her 3^rd birthday on July 9^th.

Noll

• Noll is our newest, and now 7+ months.  He is growing, and cooing.  His check-ups have been good and so far, all looks well despite our pregnancy complication.  He, through his feeding and sleeping schedule, has reminded us that “babies” are meant for the young and not for dads who are 48!   He is a source of joy for us and his siblings who adore him! Noll will celebrate his 1^st birthday on August 21^st.

Prayer requests

• For peace and direction as we balance the process of forwarding our lives in Fort Wayne Indiana
  • searching for and moving from a rental apartment to a rental home
  • Fred taking his Emergency Medicine Board exams this summer
  • Lydia making adjustments to her new job
  • process of considering full-time missions (including the trip to Togo for a site visit which is presently delayed secondary to the coronavirus) 
  • patience and trust for God’s timing as we know God has a plan for us.
• Continued success with Nathanael’s speech therapy and peace and wisdom in the process of deciding whether he should do pre-k or kindergarten next year.
• Strength as we embrace our faith that encourages us in the process of sanctification, humility, justice / righteousness and community.
• For our kids, that they will learn – accept – embrace God, despite our example, and that we will learn as parents to be that example.