OK, it's official. I'm horrible at efficient blogging, or even adequate blogging! I'm not giving up though. At some point, I'll get the hang of this. Bear with me!!!
We've been seeing the Lord move in some marvelous ways these last few weeks. We're excited and amazed at the work He's doing toward getting us to Kenya. Why amazed? We've never lost sight of the fact that God can do anything. Yet the way in which He works is still such a source of wonder for us. His ways truly aren't ours, and I for one, am very glad of that.
Many of you have been with us from the start of this journey that began over five years ago, one cold, November morning. You've shared disappointments with us (when we didn't see the "burning bush" in Kenya for starters), gave us counsel (thanks Puringtons for telling us we needed a sending agency), and shared our joys (wahoo, we've been accepted by SIM!) in those early years.
You were there with us when we entered our seemingly endless desert of preparation, and it seemed like Kenya was so far off we didn't even talk of it very frequently. You took care of Ashley when we needed sitters while attending classes or for one function or another we needed to be at. You brought us food or took us to dinner when our job situation was so up and down we couldn't get a handle on monthly expenses and ended up short for far too many months. You clothed us as Ashley was (and still is) growing in weed-like fashion, and as Jeff and I ran out of winter stuff because we gave it away last summer thinking we wouldn't need it any longer. You've encouraged us, hugged us, and supported us for a really, really long time.
The Lord's been with us as well, never letting us go under financially or emotionally (though we've floated at surface level quite often!) He's encouraged us along the way by working through you in big ways (a $30,000 donation!) and in small (roses from a friend on my birthday.)
In the last five years, moving to Africa has escalated from being the last thing on earth I wanted to do to being the most cherished desire I have. In this time, each of our lives, Jeff's, Ashley's and mine, have flipped upside down and then twisted and flipped again. We've been stretched in so many ways it feels like we've been on one of those medieval racks! But although it's been painful at times, we can look back and see God's hand in each step of every stage. I have learned and have come to accept (that was the really hard part) that God is in control, not me. God is faithful and even if the money to pay the mortgage isn't there today, it will be when the mortgage is due. His timing is perfect. I've learned to be creative in gift giving and in food preparation. I've learned that no matter how bad I feel that day, someone not far from me is having a worse day and needs whatever encouragement I can muster. I've learned not to look to tomorrow, but to focus on today. These are things that will be vital to know in Africa. These are things I needed to learn before going.
And yet, through all the support and the love you have shown; through all the rescues and faithfulness the Lord has showered on us; through all the lessons we've learned and seen that we needed to learn, we have still managed to get discouraged. Sometimes our discouragement lasts for a day, but sometimes it feels like weeks before the fog lifts. I'd love to blame it on an inherited condition from the Isrealites, but I can't...I'm not Jewish! Perhaps it's just part of this fallen world we live in.
So imagine our surprise, when over the last two weeks we've had several people tell us, "I've found your story so encouraging!" What???? You've found our discouragement encouraging??? Only God can do that! Glory to Him who can make all things good. Thank you for telling us that hearing about our last five years have had a positive effect on you. You've encouraged us!
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