Rejoice Always

 Today’s blog comes in the midst of packing.  Our flight leaves tomorrow (Tuesday) so today is dedicated to rounding up all the odds and ends and hoping they will all fit into our allotted luggage allowance.  It’s never a fun time.  We always manage, but there is something against nature to shove everything you have into a bag or a box.  It takes time and always feels rather stressful.

Back in our old VT stomping grounds

So we thought, in the midst of that, we could take the time to be thankful for all the ways, big and small God has blessed us over our last six weeks.  Some of these things may seem mundane or even silly, but sometimes it’s the little things that count:

• We are thankful for getting to see so many friends in such a short time, and yet generally not feeling overwhelmed.  You have all been so gracious and understanding in giving your time or making time for us.  We’ve been able to visit in person or zoom with friends from MA, ME, NH, OH, NC, DC, PA, and CA.  You have been a great encouragement to us.  Thank you so much!
• We are thankful for the Lord working out the timing so that we could attend the wedding of our teammate and friend—which even included getting to see Dr.  and Mrs. Komo from the islands!  What a special time.
• We’ve gotten to do some fun things this summer like help with a VBS in the Boston area, see the sites of London, get caught in a thunder storm in NC, see the Statue of Liberty, go on rides at the Santa Cruz board walk, ride the waves of Hampton Beach and pick blueberries. 
  

  

  Beautiful weather to see sites
  

• A little thing, but one we appreciate—we had quite a bit of domestic airplane travel.  It went extremely well and easy—few delays and no cancellations and kind flight attendants.
• Related to that has been the weather.  We’ve had so many beautiful days—even when it was scheduled to rain on us—like when we went to Hampton Beach, VT, and NYC, the rains miraculously held off long enough for us to really enjoy the beauty of the places we saw and often rained only after we had moved inside.
• In the midst of joy, there is always sorrow and in sorrow there is often something to be thankful for.  We are still learning about our daughter’s arthritis diagnosis, but we are thankful for the ability to see the rheumatologists at Boston Children’s Hospital.  (Not something to take for granted when waiting to see a specialist can sometimes take months)  They were kind, informative and helpful.  Their understanding of both the disease and our international situation was a great comfort.
• Here’s a funny one, but still something we thank the Lord for—finding the right luggage.  We wanted to buy some new luggage and had a plan to buy some, but on our way to VT, stopping to get gas in NH, we had some time and went into the chain store there only to find the luggage we wanted with better colors and a better price!
• We are thankful for rest when we needed it.  Six weeks is not a long time to be in the US and do all the things we want to do.  We’ve had to say “no” or “next time” to a lot things.  But we are thankful that in the midst of our busy schedule there were times of rest, times to just be a family, times to sleep in and have fun.  
• We are thankful that life goes on without us.  Before we left the islands we handed over most of our duties.  Others have carried out those responsibilities well allowing us to concentrate on our time here with the reassurance that things were in good hands.
• We are thankful for the reminder from friends here, even as we shared about our struggles and pains on the islands, times of loss and saying goodbye to many friends and fellow workers—that God has been at work on the islands and there is much to rejoice about!
• We are thankful for J.R.R. Tolkien, whose books have made our car rides quite enjoyable—even something to anticipate!  What will happen to Frodo?  Will the fellowship stay together?

Enjoying the cold water on a lovely day

Lest this sound like we have had the perfect time, let us say that it hasn’t always been good.  There has been pain—especially for our daughter—, and stress—from packing and preparation and sharing with large groups.  There is loss, knowing that there were still many we did not get to visit with and many whom we may not see again for 2 years or more.  There are friends who are sick or grieving here and we have only been able to walk alongside them for a moment, which is not enough.  But the Word says to rejoice always, and trust that even in the pain, there is hope.  So rejoice with us for the Lord’s goodness and be encouraged, no matter what the circumstances.  

PRAYERS ANSWERED
As you see above, we have so many answers to prayers and things to rejoice in. God is good. Our trips to VT and ME went well, with good conversations and chances to reconnect. We also had some nice time with family and friends in the Boston area when we weren’t traveling. The teammate for the medical team arrived safely to Clove Island. Another family that has been waiting to move to the big island for months, is finally on their way (the final member arriving on Sep 3rd). Dr. Komo and his wife made it safely to France on their way back to the islands.  

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Pray that our packing could get completed without stress. Pray that our travels would go smoothly and that all our bags would make it. We have an appointment with our daughter’s rheumatologist the morning after we arrive in Africa and we hope to discuss a new treatment plan for her at that time. Pray that we aren’t exhausted for that appointment and that she could start a treatment that will stop the disease without side effects! Pray for us as this coming weekend we will have to say goodbye to our oldest two kids at boarding school. Pray for our hearts and our transition as a family to being apart again. Pray for the medical team back on Clove Island— pray that electricity would be fixed at the team leaders house and for the homestay experience of their new member. Continue to pray for the islanders— there is currently a taxi strike and continues to be rice shortages.