We leave today!!! I can't believe that we are actually going to start our long journey home in just a few more hours. Last night I was trying to go to sleep, but in all the excitement I just couldn't make myself. I was surprised by the emotions I was feeling; I felt sadness over leaving this place. I don't yet consider this my home, and it is an extremely frustrating place to live, but I have some special friends that I love and will miss. It is amazing how close we have gotten in a short amount of time because we are in this together; this life of third world living, where kids get sick, parents get scared, ministry takes over life, and life is overwhelmingly frustrating at times. We give strength and challenge each other to keep going. I have never experienced anything like it in my life, and I'm grateful that the Lord has given me such a great Kisumu (or Stinktown as Lindsay calls it) family. As I was sleepless in Stinktown last night I realized that even though I have had a hard time adjusting to this new life, I wouldn't trade this experience because of the friends I have made and the maturity I have gained. Praise God for times of swimming in green pools, sunsets that are unbelievable, Samosa Saturday, but most of all PRAYER..... it has kept us going. There are a lot of tired missionaries of this side of the world that will need a lot of prayer over the holidays, please remember to lift them up. They are amazing people that aren’t going home to celebrate Christmas, but wish they were. I will miss you guys and I love you more than you will ever know!!! Merry Christmas, see you in January.
3 comments:
Julie,
Wow, what a beautiful sunset! I've been overseas a couple of times, and while it's not comfortable, I'm always amazed at how the same God that is with me everyday is on the other side of the world as well! He is an amazing God! I woke up this morning thinking and praying for you all as you come home - we are so excited to see you and love on you!!! We're praying for you and will see you later today. I know this will be a good break for you guys, and it's good that you have people there who you'll miss - good friends are invaluable and a gift from God!
love ya, susie
YOU'RE HERE!!! What a wonderful day this has been. Not more than 30 minutes ago our house was full of noise and laughter. It was fun seeing the cousins together again. Nattie and Emmy were hand in hand ever since they saw one another at the airport. Sam, Wes and Josh were inseparable as well. Cassie and Jayne were of course together while Zach, Ry and Chad rode back to Modesto with me and Pop. It was fun seeing how excited everyone was. I pray you all have a good night's sleep and adjust quickly to our time.
Ju I know there are some very tired missionaries there in Kisumu. You all have a special place in my heart. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for serving our Lord there in Kenya far from your families back home. Merry Christmas Mike and Karen, Daniel and Lindsay, Steve and Dianne. You all are very special to Tom and Julie.
It's Sweet Momma again! I wanted to add more to my above comment but it published before I could. I don't know if the missionaries I met at the "Missionary Fun Day" the first full day we were in Kisumu read your blog but if they do I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas! You are an incredible group of missionaries. I loved seeing all of you from different backgrounds, countries, and denominations come together to encourage one another and have fellowship together. That's exactly what the body of Christ is supposed to do. Thank you for serving our Lord on the front lines. Thank you for being such an encouragement to my sweet daughter and her family. Thank you for welcoming Nadine and I into your ladies Bible study group. Meeting all of you was a special treat. I look forward to seeing you again come this summer, Lord willing.
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