“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news.” Isaiah 52:7
Citylight Church obeys the command to go and make disciples by reaching our own neighborhoods, workplaces, and cities. Some of us are called to go - to cross borders and cultures to reach the nations. Those that respond to this call with a bold, “Yes!” we as a Church family join them by being faithful senders.
One couple heard this call – to cross borders and literally, upon mountains -- to bring the good news. Dave and Robin Laney have been serving at-risk youth in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The past two years, they have been the co-directors of the Robin’s Nest Children’s Home. Their job and ministry goal has been to provide a safe place, rooted in Jesus’ love, where hurting children can grow physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
After much prayer and discernment, the Laneys moved from their ministry post in Jamaica and back to Omaha this year. The primary reason is simply the season of life they’re in. Also, Dave and Robin felt the ministry would be best served by the new directors.
“In many ways, it feels like we just arrived. In others, it felt as though we spent a decade there. The memories, relationships, challenges, victories, and countless ordinary moments have left an imprint on us that will remain for the rest of our lives. When we submitted our letter of resignation to the Board last October, sharing that we did not believe the Lord was leading us toward renewal, we had no idea what was on the horizon.”
Last fall, a large hurricane ripped through Jamaica and destroyed much of the Robin’s Nest. But God. He provided through people, churches, organizations, friends, strangers, and circumstances in ways that only He could orchestrate. Dave and Robin witnessed His faithfulness in ways that strengthened their faith and left them in awe of His goodness. Dave explained the opportunity God gave them in their last year,
“Looking back, we feel incredibly blessed that God allowed us to be there, not only to serve during that season, but to witness his provision firsthand. There were moments when the road ahead seemed impossible, literally and figuratively. Yet through it all, we were continually reminded that God does not call His people to a place only to abandon them there. He carried Robin’s Nest through the storm, and he carried all of us with it. It stretched us in ways we never anticipated and blessed us in ways we never expected. We are profoundly grateful for the privilege of serving alongside the Robin's Nest Board of Directors, our co-directors, the staff, the children, our new directors, and the countless supporters who have become part of the Robin’s Nest story. It is an extreme honor to have been welcomed into the Robin’s Nest family.”
So, what’s next for the Laneys? It’s continuing to live life faithful to God. It’s here with their family and church family. It’s climbing upon more mountains with the good news. It’s waiting and resting in the Lord. The Laneys will no longer be on missionary support. Any surplus in their fund will be designated to bless Robin’s Nest, specifically the road project that is slowly underway. Citylight encourages supporters to prayerfully consider giving towards the road project and/or the Robin’s Nest Children’s Home directly. Dave and Robin are now exploring ways to partner with Citylight and other churches in support of Robin’s Nest. They also remain open to what and where God takes them to.
“Throughout our lives in Christ, we've tried to keep our hands open to whatever He places before us, and that hasn't changed,” Dave explained. “Robin jokes that her dream job now is working at a hot dog stand—putting mustard on hot dogs. "Excuse me, sir... you don't want mustard? Then you'll have to move along. I only do mustard!" I've kept my real estate license active, so that's certainly a possibility. But for now, we genuinely sense the Lord giving us a season to regroup, recalibrate, and wait on Him before taking our next step. Because of your generosity, we're grateful to say we currently have the financial resources we need to allow us some much needed rest, some time of reflection and refueling, and some time enjoying family and friends, all of whom we have missed terribly.”
Citylight remains committed to Robin’s Nest as one of their Global Focus partners. It’s been amazing to see how God has used the Laneys faithfulness to truly connect the church to an amazing ministry. The Laneys concluded with this:
“Thank you for trusting us, encouraging us, praying for us, supporting us, and walking this journey with us. Though our role has changed, our love for the ministry of Robin's Nest has not. We look forward to remaining connected in tangible ways, cheering Robin’s Nest on from afar, and continuing to be part of the Robin's Nest family for many years to come.”
Citylight, thank you for faithfully sending the Laneys. God has used Dave and Robin not only to bless the children of Robin’s Nest, but also to remind us what it looks like to say “Yes!” when God calls us to go. Their time in Jamaica has helped grow our heart for the nations and strengthened our calling to be a church that both goes and sends. We are grateful to welcome the Laneys home as they begin this next chapter and look forward to seeing how God will continue to use them. If you have questions or would like to connect with them, reach out to the Laneys or to Citylight's Global Missions Director: luke@citylightomaha.org.
Support the Robin’s Nest >>> https://robinsnestchildrenshome.salsalabs.org/generaldonationform/index.html
Support Robin's Nest Road Project >> https://gpchurches.com/give