For the past 2 months one thing and one thing alone has consumed my mind...packing. You can probably tell that since every post except for the first one has included something about that. It's frustrating because during this time what I really want to be doing is not packing, but spending time with friends and family and making the most of the time that I have left nearby.
So, last Thursday, I took a break and traveled to Louisville to visit folks I hadn't seen in a while and wanted to make sure I saw before I left the country. It was a funfilled, jampacked 4 days and well worth it. I felt encouraged and refreshed as I returned home and hope the folks I got to visit felt encouraged by the visit to. Here is just a quick recap of what the Lord is doing in the lives of folks who are living and serving in Louisville.
Annie and Eli Brainard who are expecting a child within the next month, were gracious enough to let me stay with them. Eli even made breakfast for me 2 days--pancakes, eggs, muffins, and bacon. Let me just say, it was pretty good. They are wonderful friends and it was great to spend some time with them. Annie was in charge of graduation at the school that she works at and is 8 months pregnant right now. Talk about a trooper to have a visitor during that crazy time!
I got to have breakfast with Matt, Megan and Simms McDougal and see their new church and hear about the work God is doing in their community. Simms is not a baby anymore, he is a little boy! It was a great joy to get to see them and spend time with them. They are sweet servants and I appreciate all they do.
Maryem Smith and I had supper together and got caught up on everything going on with one another. It was a joy to hear about God's plan for her and Nathan's life and how that vision is coming together for them.
Drew, Amanda, and baby Calvin Krutza had to spend lots of time with me. We ate several meals together and got to hang out one afternoon. I worshipped with them on Sunday morning and got to see Drew lead worship and Amanda be a mom. I got to see Calvin go to his first worship service, which he slept through by the way. I think we have become fast friends! It's always great to see the Lord use people in the areas that He has called them to and it was a great blessing to watch them as a family serving the Lord together.
I got to see Mary Ellen Moody who is one of my favorite all time people in the world and I've traveled a lot so I think that's saying a lot. It is always a great joy to talk with Mary Ellen, her passion for the Lord is evident in all that she does and her servant heart is a great challenge to me. I am so thankful for her!
I had breakfast with Whitney York who also shares a passion for the unreached of West Africa with me and has traveled twice to work with the Bambara the people group our church adopted. She is always a ball of energy and joy. I am excited about her upcoming marriage and can't wait to see how the Lord will use her and her husband to be, Tommy, here and on the mission field.
Ben, Amanda and baby Eleanor Brainard also stopped by for a visit one evening. I hadn't gotten to see Eleanor yet except in pictures...she is a true beauty. Ben and Amanda have been serving at a church in Louisville for the past several years and have been great servants to a community that is in need. I love to see people who are willing to move into a needy community to plant their lives there, not just visit once a week. I know that they are having an impact on their neighbors and their community with their presence.
The memories of this past weekend will be what I will take with me during difficult times in Africa. The support of family and friends is such a major part of ministry life overseas. Many of these people that I listed will be part of my prayer support network, along with their churches and their encouragement to me is priceless. I am thankful that I had the time and took the time to visit and I am thankful for their friendships and their example of faithfulness to me.
I hope to spend time with many more of you all in the next month before I leave. So, if you have some time...give me a call. I'd love to see you!
