Life: A long series of Hello and Goodbye

So the time has come to say goodbye, and I am not good at “goodbye”.

Many of you have asked about the “princess party” and I must say I am excited to share a few photos with you! They were so adorable! And, the girls really enjoyed the night. I loved it that I got to tell them one more time how beautiful they are and how much God has in store for their lives. Still God amazes me that He would let me be a part of His work. Why would He choose me? Why did He want me to experience His love in this way? I suppose those are questions I will not be sure of the answer to until I meet Him face to face. (Oh Lord hasten the day that I may gaze upon your beautiful face.)

I left Bethesda Children’s Home last Thursday to return to Nairobi. There is a lot of paperwork and business things that must be taken care of here before returning home. It was extremely difficult to leave the girls. On Wednesday they had my favorite Kenyan meal and then we said our goodbyes. Of course I cried! I wouldn’t be my mother’s daughter if I didn’t. On Thursday I had to say goodbye to John and Janet (the guard and the house girl). They are some of the most wonderful people I have ever met! I will truly miss them. Mum (Grace) and I had one more day as I had to meet her in Nairobi on Friday to take care of a few more things for BCH. I will miss my mornings with her.
When I arrived in Nairobi, I was no where near ready to leave. I was really struggling with the idea and trying not to think of all that waits for me. However, God has continued to be faithful in His answering of my prayers and He has slowly softened my heart to the reality of re-entry. I know that I must go as the Lord as called me to another place right now. At the same time, the Lord has affirmed His calling on my life and I know I will be back. Debriefing in Nairobi has provided clarity about my purpose here and has also provided an opportunity to reflect upon what the Lord has done in my life and through my life. I look forward to sharing those things with you as you have so graciously trusted me to be your hands, feet, eyes, ears, and heart. As I sit to write this blog to you, I realize I am miles from where I was not 6 short months ago. The Lord has allowed me to see Him in new ways and has changed my heart. Satan attacked and God provided strength and power to triumph over Him. Danger arised and God faithfully protected me in advance. God brought me to Africa to fulfill His calling on my life but to grow me that I would be ready to serve long term. I could sing the praises of our Lord forever just because of how I have seen Him during this time in Kenya. I realize that many of you would get tired of reading, so I will spare you.

By the time many of you read this, I will be close to arriving in the States. Let us all hope that by that time the Lord has really provided closure and peace about the transition. I can not imagine being able to greet you all and thank you personally for all that you have done for me. It is so amazing to have a new understanding of the mission field which includes my understanding of the importance of your church family. I have been so fortunate have such wonderful, faithful support. The floor of heaven has been bombarded with your intercession and I can never thank you enough. As I re-enter the States, I ask that you pray for a smooth transition with little re-entry stress. I also ask that you continue to praise the Lord for all He has done and that He will continue to lead me. I know this is not the end for me in Africa….pray as the Lord directs to the next place and time. I love you all greatly and can not wait to share the wonders of our Lord with you!

“Now to Him that is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to HIM be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” –Ephesians 3: 20-21