I’m sure you’ve figured out by now the appointee service went well and we are now officially being sent to Mozambique by the IMB to share the truth of Christ. This stirs up insane delight and there has been MUCH celebrating.

This also kicks processing up a notch as we venture into the world of goodbyes with the girls. We’re trying to take things as gently as we can since saying goodbye to some of their norms hits some of them harder than others.

Abi (age 5) cried the night we came home after appointment service. It finally hit her that we were not going to be returning to this house once we leave for Orientation. Rachael (age 7) has had her moment of grieving and cleaving to Africa, but Abi was just beginning to process the reality when we left for appointment. With arms wrapped around her, Abi shared her hurts in saying goodbye and I shared my same hurts. Then we both talked about what things she really wants to bring. She rattled off some toys and we discussed which location they’d be traveling to since some will be going to Quelimane in luggage and some in boxes to Maxixe, which we will receive after our 18 month Quelimane trip. Abi went to bed with a smile. There is loss. And there is also gain.

I’m sure this is just the beginning of many tears as we are all hit with the reality of this move.

And I’m equally sure that this is the beginning of many smiles as the Lord brings new delights to our horizons.

It is a process, an opportunity to honor their feelings and give them as many choices as can be given.

This morning Rachael and Abi sat in the other room making “soup” from little magnets when this conversation emerged:

Abi: “Rachael, when we get to Africa we can go door to door to tell them ‘Jesus loves you.” [Future strategy leader? Hehe.]

Rachael: “But we can’t just tell them ‘Jesus loves you’, we have to tell them the whole story!”

Abi: “Well yes, so Jesus loves you and He gave His own life because Adam and Eve sinned…”

Rachael: “And then we all sinned and so Jesus died to save us from our sins.”

Abi: “But what if they don’t believe us?”

Rachael: “Then we’ll tell them again and again!”

 

We’re going to get there. It’s all a long process. One step at a time.

 

Their hearts are beautiful.

• 5 Months until Orientation.