Exciting things are up ahead for the Dillard family from "19 Kids and Counting." After the birth of Derick and Jill's son Israel David, the Dillards have decided to start a new ministry and move outside of the United States next month to pursue it.
"Since we first began our relationship, it has always been our goal that Jesus Christ might be glorified as we serve others through family ministry, by whatever means that might be," Derick wrote in the Dillard Family Blog. "God has put a desire in our hearts to serve Him internationally for longer than the typical short-term mission trip, but we didn't know yet how God would fulfill that desire in us."
Derick said the opportunity to serve the Lord came earlier this year, and even though he did not specify where they would be doing it, Derick and Jill said they really prayed about the choice "that would undoubtedly change the trajectory of our lives forever."
As a father, Derick had a lot of concerns about moving. But a friend convinced him and Jill that they should pursue the ministry as early as possible because it will be more difficult later when their roots are deep in the US and they are already comfortable in their lives.
"After much prayer and seeking godly counsel, we realised that taking this opportunity and moving overseas in order to serve is the best option for our family. Earlier this year we shared our plans with our families and in May, I shared this decision with my manager at Wal-Mart, where I was working in the Tax department," said Derick.
He has resigned from the company and they are preparing to move this July. Derick expects their new adventure will not be easy, but they feel pretty confident pursuing it because God is and always will be in the centre of their lives.
"We look forward to this adventure and the joy of serving Him in this new way. We wanted to share this with you and ask for your prayers as our family makes this transition," he said.
