When Christina and I started our unbelievably long road trip last summer, pulling away from her mother’s house, Christina looked at me and said, “Here we go, babe!” That phrase was repeated at the beginning of our second day, and then again on our third day, our fourth day, and so on. It began to be something we’d say to each other almost jokingly, as we seemed to always be in the car throughout those summer months.
But we leave JBay for the last time Sunday morning, and so the phrase seems more poignant for this occasion than it ever has. We spent today saying goodbye to so many people, turning the page from this chapter in our lives, and a new week brings a completely new thing. We can’t begin to describe how excited we are for this new start – time to reconnect with family as we make our way out to Colorado in January, which offers time to rest and process what the Lord has done in our lives while we’ve been here, and what we do with that moving forward. We also will have some extremely intentional time learning (again, for the first time) what it means to be married, spending a good deal of time working on our relationship with each other. We came here nine months into our marriage, consequently missing out on the value that “normalcy” can bring to a newlywed couple. So there’s so much to look forward to, and we are anxious to grab every part of it.
At the same time, leaving here is tougher than either of us thought. The friendships that God has given to us since we arrived here three Septembers ago are precious, and the possibility of seeing any of them ever again this side of heaven is very much up in the air. So the separation, the ending even, of all of these relationships as we’ve known them, has proven to be extremely difficult.
But the writer of Ecclesiastes reminds that “for everything there is a season.” So we walk in that, knowing that the Lord will never desert us, and trusting that He has gone ahead of us, and so our main responsibility is to be obedient. God is calling us out of this season and into a completely and utterly new season. We have little idea of what this new season will be like, but we know that, if nothing else, it will definitely be an adventure. So…”Here we go!”
I’m sure your departure brings mixed emotions. But, we are THRILLED to have you back in the USA:) Lots of love to you both. Can’t wait to see you in a few short days!
Many have been blessed beyond measure by your good works in South Africa. Your training efforts this fall will spread to the whole continent. “Well done, good and faithful servants”
Welcome home,dear ones! Love, Mom
I love you guys so much and I am so appreciative of everything that you guys have done for me and the group this term. You two are two of the most amazing, caring, loving, and understanding people I’ve ever met. I will never forget what I’ve learned from you guys. Thank you so much for being who you are and living the call that God has placed in your lives. Best wishes for the adventure ahead of you. God has so much He is going to bless ya’ll with! I love you both and I pray that your travels were nice and you got plenty of rest. Love Ya’ll!!!