Welcome to our Little Island

I can't believe how beautiful it is here. I accidentally deleted some of my pictures, but here's one that survived the cut. This is just a glimpse of the world outside our fence. There are neon green rice fields all around with giant mango trees standing guard in the center; coconut trees bowing in the breeze, the most colorful and billowing clouds glowing brilliant colors in the sunrise each morning and the sunset each evening.
We have been welcomed warmly by new friends and many, many curious passer-bys. FEW white faces have appeared here, and we are an anomally. After nearly 3 years here our team mates say they still get stared at.
But we are resting easily in the palm of our Good Lord. Yes, there are difficulties. With water, with edible food (only some of that blame rests on me the cook), power cuts, mosquitoes, etc. But beyond all that we see a people waiting for Freedom. For Truth. For Love. And we so take another deep breath, survey the beauty around us, thank the Lord for all His many, many blessings, and we seek to be Light. Pray we are Light.

Dum Duh Duuuummmm!

We made it! We are officially living on our beautiful little island that we've been waiting for for 3 1/2 years, it's almost unbelievable. We landed in a tiny prop-plane amidst torrential rains, on the third pass over the airport. It was a bit of an adventure, one to add to our long list of "Wow, our life in Africa is something else!"

Our house is not quite finished, due to the rains and lack of power for the last several days. But perhaps tomorrow we will be sleeping there! In our own little home. On our own little island, shuttled along on your big, big prayers.

Thanks so much. We are blessed beyond measure and are excited about the future and missing and loving you all. Please do pray for health, the house to be finished before the weekend, and a pleasant settling in. Thanks and we love you!

Welcome back

Sorry for the silence! We've been without internet access and waiting for the opportunity to get it.
Today we came back to our old neighborhood to see the kids (and connect for a minute to the wireless!) Hunter told me on the way over that she was getting used to Africa again, and hopefully we all follow suit.
Thank you Lord for safe travel, a great welcome "home" and of course, flannel jammies when it's 100 degrees out!

Leavin' on a Jet Plane

Bags are packed, truck is loaded, alarm is set...for 3am. Yep, we fly in the morning and we are excited, scared, worn out and thankful to you and the Lord for walking with us...and before us! Please pray us on back to East Africa; it's gonna be a long day, but only one day (so they say). 24 hours from 5:30 am Thursday the 28th. Pray with us! And sing with us too: (thanks, Chris Tomlin)

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow...

All your ways are good
All your ways are sure
I will trust in you alone
Higher than my sight
High above my life
I will trust in you alone

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve I'll serve
If this life I lose,
I will follow you
I will follow you

Light unto the world
Light unto my life
I will live for you alone
You're the one I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in you alone, in you alone

In you there's life everlasting
In you there's freedom for my soul
In you there joy, unending joy and I will follow!!!

Amen? Talk to you on the flip side!

Dedication

Today we had our final preperations with Doug leading everyone in praying for our safety, encouragement, support and that God would use us mightily in the days and years to come.He also prayed a sweet prayer of Dedication to the Lord for Braelyn. He has done this for both Hunter and Avery in years past and it was so awesome to have him hold Braelyn's hand gently but firmly in his own as he petitioned God for her heart, her future, her parents and her sisters. We have been so blessed to be a part of this family who loves us and our daughters so much, a family so committed to seeing my children following God whole-heartedly. Thanks, Lord, for this extended family!

Fun in the sun

Dancing with her shadow...Sweet Hunter Smiling Braelyn Look out, Avery! The countdown begins: 10 days left here in the States. Excited, ready, sad, stressed, not packed and trusting Him who has called us!

Oh YES they did

So I published that post on Saturday, walked into the other room and Justin said that they visas had been completed and picked up!!! And only 4 days later...they arrived in the mail.

YEP, they are in hand and we are ready to go! Well, aside from final packing and having to say good-bye (gulp). We are looking at tickets for 2 weeks from today. Please pray for a calm and peaceful packing completion.

Pray also for luggage fees. It looks like we might get charged twice on different airlines. Thank you for everything. Don't forget to switch your support account over if you haven't yet! Love you all!