Sabbatical Proposal
26/07/25 09:51
Start Date: 28. Aug. 25
End Date: 19. Nov. 25
Place: Val de Louyre et Caudeau, France
Intro:
After over 40 years of permanent work in Germany and with retirement rapidly approaching, we are in need of a time of reflection, searching, and listening to the direction God is leading us in the last stage of our lives. We have several good options and depending on where our “advisors” live, they give us advice which conflicts with other people in a different place.
We are in need of taking time away to reboot in four areas: spiritual, physical, mental, and intellectual. Our ultimate goal is that the end of the Sabbatical we will know: 1. when we should retire, 2. where we will retire to, and 3. what we will be doing in that retirement.
The Need:
The last five years has taken its toll on us. After two difficult years of Covid with lots of changing restrictive rules followed by three years of helping 13 Ukrainian family units, one Iranian family, and having over 18 people living in our house, (besides the “normal” work) we have not had time to do more than accomplish the challenges of the current day.
Spiritually and mentally we have problems concentrating and listening to God. Worship services are a matter of organization and filling the needs of others. Reading books of substance is difficult. Exacerbating this condition has been the constant interruption of people needing help. We cannot relax in the backyard because someone might possibly come out to ask something.
Physically, the stress is draining us and along with growing older, medical issues and exhaustion are growing.
If we stay at home, we will get no rest or peace and quiet. If we were to go to the USA, our mothers and families would expect us to visit and help. Because of this our feelings of what to do in retirement swing drastically; plans for the future are not well thought out.
Spiritual (spiritual renewal)
We plan to take time for our souls and interior lives to calm down and relearn to listen to God. Uninterrupted Bible reading, meditation, and reflection will be daily exercise. Fasting is also planned. We have rented a cottage about three hours away from a Christian Church in Poitiers, France. Where we have been several times over the years and know the missionaries and some of the people in the church. We plan to go there every few weekends.
Physical
Our bodies need to recoup. We will have our bikes along and plan to check out several river bike trails. The house we have rented for 10 weeks is about a 20 minute walk through the woods to the village. We hope to also walk many of the hiking trails in the area. Without many of the stressors, we should have time to rest and heal.
Mental and intellectual
We have already starting collecting books to take with us to read. In addition, we hope to make lists of possible scenarios for the future. There are many options in the USA and Germany, so the question is which one is best. We plan to write down the pros and cons of each possibility along with praying over them. Although we hope to logically and systematically think things through, we also want to remain open to our feelings and “God’s leading”.
Structure
We are looking at spending a scheduled time every morning for reading, contemplation, reflection, and exercise. Afternoons will be for more outside activities and grocery shopping. Once a week we plan to make an excursion and sightsee. Online usage will be limited, although we do have internet access at the house. I have been learning French so I might also try to find a tutor for some private language lessons.
Covering Work Responsibilities in Peine
This summer we are working at getting the Peine church prepared for our absence. We have already started on Sunday School plans and sermon series. We have retired from the Adult Education Center so there are no English classes to worry about. We have also started training new people to plan the Sunday service. The church is used to us being gone for our reporting trips (last one 2023 2x six weeks) so us being gone 10 Sundays is quite doable.
Thank you for your prayers and support in this endeavor.
With gratitude,
Randy and Katy Smelser
