Safety First?

God has been so faithful in the past few months, narrowing down our options beautifully from about eight realistic ones to two right now.  We are excited about both of these and continue to pray that He would finalize the right place for us.  

In the process of applying with a mission, being accepted with them and getting several pages of current openings with Dave's skills and gifts, I have been confronted again with the questions that nagged me before we ever went on the mission field; mainly, "Is it safe?"  

I grew up in a home where probably the most frequent statement we heard was, "You are never safer than when you are in the center of God's will."  This was not just a saying; my parents had lived this out practically in amazing ways (more on that next time!).  This became a part of all of us--we really believed it.  Stepping into a "dangerous" place always brings it back up for me, especially when it is frequently asked by others. 

 "Is where you lived safe?" 

 "Is where you are going safe?" 

 "Is it safe for your kids there?"

 "Is it safe to have a baby there?"

Well, isn't safe relative?  I mean, we would have thought it crazy if someone asked if it was safe for us to go to the Boston Marathon, right?  Who would have guessed what could have happened?  And when we look at "safe" or "unsafe" places in the world, we have to look in light of a sovereign, kind God who has our days numbered and our lives in His hands.  And still, when I hear about an opportunity in Nigeria, pictures like this come to mind:

And I have to question my own philosophy. 

And no, we're not on our way to Nigeria, as far as we know.  But it is a good process to walk through, examining motives and commitment.  

We dealt with this after the robbery at Mavuno as well.  

We cannot look our children in the eyes and tell them that it will never happen again.  We cannot even say that if it happens again that God will keep us all alive; only that He will keep us safe, and safe might mean going home to Him.  And that if we spend our lives trying to save our lives, we will often walk away from what we are called to.

"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Matt. 10:39

The Potter is up to something grand (as always!)

There were misty eyes around the table for the second time this year; only this time they were from sheer delight and disbelief that something this good could come to our family.   And then there was dancing past bedtimes and “what are we going to name it?!” and “we’re gonna have a baby, we’re gonna have a baby!” as they bounced on beds.   Their one disappointment has been that it isn’t twins.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

All this bursting joy that God, in His sovereign grace and kindness, would bless us with such a gift. We are all in wonder.  As Dave says, #7 is kind of like bungee jumping—terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time.  And to the question, “weren’t  you done having kids?” the answer is “Yes, we thought we were done after #4, but God keeps giving us these beautiful bonus babies, truly the reward He says they are. 

Sobering to think who we would have missed out on...!

"Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker-- An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, 'What are you doing?' Or the thing you are making say, 'He has no hands'? Isaiah 45:9

This little plum-sized person is already filling our home with hope and excitement, and we are eager to see what tremendous plans God has for him (or her, but there are many in this home rooting for a “him”.)

Meggy has already called dibs on the baby, and our greatest “problem” will most likely be trying to get through the crowd of siblings to actually hold our own child.  We are so thankful that God does have very specific things to say about children.  They are not, as the world will so quickly tell us, a burden—they are a blessing and God uses them each day to sand down our sharper edges that still need smoothing, and build our faith in new ways. 

Stepping Heavenward, the diary of a woman from age 16 to the end of her life, has been one of my long-time favorite books.  In the midst of her childbearing years, with another baby on the way, a well-meaning friend says how sad she is to hear that she is having another child…

 “She says I shall now have one mouth the more to fill and two feet the more to shoe, more disturbed nights, more laborious days, and less leisure or visiting, reading, music, and drawing.

Well! This is one side of the story, to be sure, but I look at the other. Here is a sweet, fragrant mouth to kiss; here are two more feet to make music with their pattering about my nursery. Here is a soul to train for God; and the body in which it dwells is worth all it will cost, since it is the abode of a kingly tenant. I may see less of friends, but I have gained one dearer than them all, to whom, while I minister in Christ's name, I make a willing sacrifice of what little leisure for my own recreation my other darlings had left me. Yes, my precious baby, you are welcome to your mother's heart, welcome to her time, her strength, her health, her tenderest cares, to her lifelong prayers! Oh, how rich I am, how truly, how wondrously blest!”

--Elizabeth Prentiss, Stepping Heavenward

Praising God, from whom all blessings flow!

summer

Water, water everywhere...all of it drinkable!

We went to a water park on our way back from Colorado.  Dave caught me staring into space, "watching" the kids on the slides.   

Thanks for ruining it!" he said with a smile when I told him I was thinking about Mama Eunie, our neighbor in Tanzania, carrying every drop of water on her head for her family.  Here we were, gallons and gallons of clean water coursing through plastic tubes all in the name of fun.  And it was fun!And we didn't have to tell the kids to make sure not to get water in their mouths, like we do in the shower 

back in Africa. 

 

And the water just kept coming and coming, a never ending gush of freshness while I pictured the village girls walking on dusty roads, even the little girls trying not to spill a drop. 

 And such is life while we enjoy being back and try not to forget what we  know is how much of the world lives.  
***

Colorado beckoned to us, after several friends mentioned Missionary Training International's Debrief and Renewal program and our church graciously provided for us to go. 

Our fearless facilitators, George and Connie.  What a blessing they were!

 What could have taken several years to process and unwind from (or maybe it never would have happened?) took place in a week.  What a blessing to be poured into by such kind, compassionate people who minister to missionaries year-round.  The children also had special classes that helped them understand transition, change, culture, and relationships.  Incredible!  And when people ask if it gave us new direction, it didn't.  But what it did was help us understand how to proceed in a God-honoring way; not giving constantly from our reserves, but giving from the overflow of time spent with Christ, in quiet, being renewed. Essential encouragement for every Christian!  

learning about a "pair-a-ducks" (paradox) taught the children about appreciating the good and bad in each culture.

It is an exciting process, investigating new opportunities.  In one sense, we are in a similar spot that we were eight years ago, only our passion is a little more realistic :) and we have the added advantage of a little bit of experience on our side.  

Dave's current work: large machinery and beautiful scenery--what more could he ask for!

 We are eager to see what is on the horizon.  And for now, our challenge is just to learn better how to live wisely here: not to be constantly guilty or discontent, but to enjoy this life with gratitude to God.  Enjoying friends, fellowship, worship in our own language and great teaching in church
and on the ever-so-fast internet
is not hard to get used to!

Every time I think about posting these days, I wonder how on earth to put into words what my heart is feeling.  But you faithful pray-ers out there have been a tremendous blessing as we have tried to sort through this season of life!  

Home #2

As our bodies adjust from 

to this

,

our minds and hearts also try to soak in the reality of such a different life.  

What a blessing to come back to such sweet, gracious friends, incredible teaching

 and yes, the comforts of American life.  

Coming from solar power (no heating elements), we found it rather revolutionary to use a dryer

and a toaster

and we could use them 

at

the

same

time.

The kids were really excited yesterday when they saw an incredible machine on the road while we were driving.

It was the street cleaner.

In Mwanza, they wear a blue apron and hard hat and use a real broom.

 I took Katie into Target the other day and she spotted the toy aisle, staring with wonder, 

"Mommy, I love America."

You can have two homes, you don't have to pick.

Those were the wise words a friend said to me before we left.  

So we enjoy the sweetness of this home, even while we miss the familiarity of the other one.

And we may have officially reached the point in our lives

where we cannot be any one place 

without aching for the other...

while learning to be content

"in all things."

For all of you who have asked us what's next, 

let me clear it all up for you:

we have no idea!

We know we have options, we know our heart is to be in Africa,

but we have no clear direction and have come to the conclusion that there are things we need to learn and ways we need to grow before God does make it clear to us.  

So it is a good season of waiting, resting, and finding our confidence in Him.

Isaiah 30:15&18

In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength...

...the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. 

For the LORD is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for Him!

Psalm 138:8

The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me;

Your love, O LORD, endures forever--

do not abandon the works of your hands.

Goodbyes!

Our last several weeks have been full!  

what to do when the furniture is moved out?  Chalk all over the floors! :)

We managed to get all our things sorted and packed/stored/sold, much to our relief!  I suppose you don't know how much you have until you have to make a decision for every item.  We are so thankful for God's strength and wisdom as we finished out at Mavuno.  

Our regular Sunday after-church greetings and singing

Dinner with Musa, Lucy and two others

We had several farewell get-togethers and many, many goodbyes.  Leaving definitely made us realize how precious our friendships were and how thankful we are for the people God has put in our lives.  

Our monthly Bible study ladies--what a blessing they have been in my life!

We headed from the hot, isolated bush....

to London. 

getting a little rest before the Nairobi-London flight

 What a fabulous city, and 20 million people in one location was obviously a big difference for us.  Along with some amazing historical sites (well, most of London is historical by American standards!), we were also able to get together with friends from Africa and even highschool.  What a blessing!  

Hitesh and Lucy Mistry, former Mavuno volunteers and good friends!

Beth Ann--we have been friends since we were tiny!

Mike and Marie and family, who we know from Africa

The kids were most impressed by the Tower of London, St. Paul's cathedral, the castle we visited, and all the clean, shiny bathrooms everywhere we went.  And hearing, "Wow! this place smells GOOD!" about the bathroom made us realize again how different everything was for them.

Sitting at the boarding gate in London at the moment, I can't help but reflect on how great God has been to us, how He has provided for us every single day and how He continues to bless us.  

We are looking forward to seeing many of you soon!

Mt. Meru, by Hannah

For my 16^th birthday (which was back in September), my parents gave me a trip with dad to Arusha, TZ to climb Mount Meru, the 5^th highest mountain in Africa. The hike began January 28 and we would be on the mountain for three days--two days up and one day down. Meru was once a volcano that erupted with such force it blew one entire side of the mountain away and left a huge crater encircled with a sharp ridge and cliffs. The climb begins on the crater floor and then ascends the outer wall of the ridge.  

            After arranging park and ranger fees at the gate, we began a 6 hour hike of 1000 meters (About 3200 feet) to the first camp, situated at 2,500 meters above sea level. The scenery on the way up was stunning as we passed through dense, lush forest where giraffe, monkeys, and Cape buffalo freely roamed. Tree branches intertwined in a canopy at least 40 feet above us.

 The second day was equally beautiful with very different vegetation thriving in the thick clouds that float around the tree line. Spanish moss hung from the branches like snow and the entire forest was very ancient and untouched. The trail was steeper than the first day, as we were ascending another 1000 meters in only 4 hours. At the halfway point in the trail, it began pouring freezing rain and hail on us. As we had sent our coats and other cold gear on ahead with the porters, we had only thin long-sleeved shirts in our packs, and these were soon drenched.

 There was nothing to do but keep moving in spite of our numb hands and chilled bodies. When we finally reached Saddle hut at 3500 meters, we tried to dry some of our supplies out and warm ourselves up with many cups of chai. That evening after the rain had ceased, we did a short acclimatization hike up ‘Little’ Meru, a smaller peak opposite the summit.

             In order to reach the summit by sunrise, we awoke at midnight to begin climbing the jagged peaks leading to the top. The hike took 5 hours as we ascended yet another thousand meters to the summit. This portion of the climb was very rocky and steep and much of the time we were trudging through thick ash. Nothing grew at all save a few tiny yellow flowers here and there. Thick clouds were buffeting us constantly from one side as we walked an edge with vertical cliffs on one side and a steep ash slope on the other. 

  The mist and darkness made it impossible to see anything beyond several paces forward. The landscape was so desolate that it felt like we were walking on the moon with nothing green or alive in sight. Nearer the summit snow lay 3 inches thick over the trail and the rocks were slick with ice.

            At around 6:00 we reached the summit of Mount Meru. The mist hid everything from view and as it was still dark and freezing cold, we stayed only a few minutes before we began our descent. However, on the way down the mist cleared for about an hour and we had stunning views of the crater, the ash cone, and the valleys surrounding the incredible mountain.

 We got back to Saddle Hut at around 8 and rested briefly. Because we had chosen the three day trip we had to descend the entire way to the gate in one day. Over about 19 kilometers we descended more than 9000 feet on the steep trail. By the time we reached level ground our legs were like gelatin and our feet ached.

 Mount Meru is the most spectacular mountain I have ever seen and I hope to one day climb it again!