Oh man, we had such a precious few days with all these kiddos in Tennessee. The kiddos just sucked up every single minute of being together (we have no introverts, friends), and while I don't think any of us would call the weekend restful :), it was as sweet as can be, and I'm so thankful for any time we get with our widespread family.
They are all growing up so fast :(...This was our first time together that it really felt like we didn't have any babies!
We quickly learned on the constantly swaying, longest pedestrian bridge in America which of our crew of 14 loved heights, and who does not :)
our line-up is getting older :(
We are driving the eight hours home today, and have exactly four full days to turn it all around...unpack, laundry, clean out the car, repack, shop - very differently this time - and head out on the road to Haiti.
The Lord and Matt have helped me work out my courage, and here we go! Dear Jodenel and Esther delivered a healthy new baby boy two days ago, Yasha just turned one, the semester is starting in on it's last full month of classes for the school year, and we are anxious to get home! I am very anxious to see, sit among and share what God is doing at Emmaus, and very anxious to come alongside, pray with and encourage so many precious families...most of all, our precious brother Claudin and his dear children.
What a strange combination of going home and going on a missions trip this feels...of leaving home and going home, too. I've been a little caught up on "going alone" (if I haven't asked you yet to go with us, you may be the only one!), but the Lord's been gracious to remind me that (along with the four precious humans alongside) I am not going alone, not even a little bit.
As He's stretching me, asking me if I still trust Him, asking me whose voice in the continual clamor is my anchor, my guide, my perspective...it's His. It's His... and I do.
Please pray for us this week as we plan and prepare and pack, please pray for good, strong healthy bodies and hearts and minds as we go, and pray that the Lord through us may come alongside many who are heavy and weary and in need in this season and remind them of His love, His provision and His power.
The answer to the "how can we help?" question I gratefully keep getting is lame, but if you want to help, send money. If you have some giving you've been wanting to do, if you have a gift you've been looking to give, or want to help in some way, we will be spending precious time with dozens of people and families who are in great need of help and encouragement, and I'd love to be your middle man and to tell you how you've helped!
This is going to be a fun blog to follow the next few weeks :)
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