One Big Long Day

So thankful for one big, long, day to travel to a different country and yet to feel like you are going home.

We planned the flights a little well, too well, if that is possible. No six hour connections here. No, this time we were running between gates, finding a new air train, claiming and rechecking baggage and waiting in long passport ques.

Traveling with friends is always a special treat as you have so common past experiences which seen to translate to comfort and stability.

 Looking at one of the new houses that God has provided for. This one will be really neat to walk to as it is down the valley. A place I always thought it would be great to have a home there - except when you are bringing home groceries!!

 One of the joys of the first day is always to sort all the wonderful treasures brought from home to share. One of the books that has changed our giving is, When Helping Hurts. This book reconfirmed ideas and expressions that are buried so deeply in the American heart. There is a right way and a wrong way to give, to help, to share, and to provide. One that seeks to build the other person up to be everything that God prepared in advance for them to be. This is so important for us. God has prepared special works for each of us to do, and we must "walk in them." This is the secret to true joy and fulfillment.

 This time we come with medicines, school supplies, an unhealthy dose of sugar sweets, new shoes, socks, jackets, handmade dolls, fun tennis balls and games.










Getting tired of seeing Pastor always sporting Cardinals wear, Valerie even brought Pastor a Jags shirt.

Our end of the first day tradition is to go to Ocean Basket for dinner and kingclip - a white fish common here. Pastor got the 300gr one in honor of his umfowethu.

 Every time we come the group changes. It is so great to see how God puts it all together. We our definitely missing our friends and family who we have served with in the past. It feels like there are spaces at the Thanksgiving table which are - empty. There is a void, and yet you can go back to find memories to bring those special people along for this journey. Scott, Alex, Ginger, Rhonda, Zeal, Shara, Julia and so many more.

Because Scott is not here, Siyabonga - Pictured on the left,  will be part of our family this week and helping with transport. We studied isiZulu at dinner and talked about how words translate and how intricately language is intertwined with customs, history and understanding.

 -pheka is the root stem for "cooking." The picture below is from our last trip when we took all the children to to the beach and grilled out. You will need to stay tuned in for the word for grilling, but a braai on the beach we did have!









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We are so thankful for our safe travels, our families and friends back home who are supporting us and sharing their blessings. We are grateful for Pastor and his guidance and wisdom. The path is not always easy, the door is narrow, but we are looking forward to walking it - together.