Not Shutting Out the Goodbyes

https://www.africafreedommission.org/mission-trips

This morning my heart is so full. I made a commitment to myself not to shut out the goodbyes. Not to speed past or ignore them but to really let myself feel it.

A few days ago we said goodbye to our Maz community. How blessed we have been to be taken in and loved in such a way.

Yesterday we said goodbye to our precious Dailes. Literally feels like cutting off a limb. AND I'm so full of joy because we have had these wonderful years together and God has provided for her for ...an amazing future. 

Last night we had the most amazing time of prayer and fellowship with our missionary friends, and I was overwhelmed with gratitude for each of these couples and how they have been a family to us for 7 years here in Zambia. These bonds will be forever! 

So as I get up this morning and get my family ready to get on a plane, I'm signing off with a grateful heart full of thanks for all that God has done and all the amazing people He has used. We do not leave here disillusioned and burned out, but joyful and even more confident that He who began a good work in all of us will be faithful to complete it as we all follow Him. America, here we come.

~Kerri

A Home Coming

Video 1 (The Unveiling):  http://youtu.be/FQTEFKSoBiw
Video 2 (The Tour): http://youtu.be/sXuLqAIMG_w

https://www.africafreedommission.org/mission-trips

As we prepare to return back to the States this coming Friday, we were able to celebrate another home coming of sorts.  Dailes Zimba, a widow with 3 children, has been working for us ever since we landed in Zambia.  She's been there through thick and thin and has been a great source of encouragement to us as we have sought to serve the Zambian people.

She recently shared with Kerri that she had two wishes for her life that she has now seen fulfilled.  One was that all of her children would finish school.  Her youngest, Milton, is in grade 10 now and is scheduled to finish within the next few years.  The second was that she would have a place to call her own.

As Kerri and I thought of ways that we could help Dailes flourish after we left Zambia, we felt like we needed to also help her with finding her own place.  We truly could not have done this without the generous gifts from some of you.  Thank you for helping us bless this dear friend!

Now that she has moved into her new home, we can turn our attention towards our own home coming. We look forward to seeing many of you after we get back and get settled.  Please continue to pray for us as we transition.  Everyone has been fighting one kind of sickness or another and we need to be healthy to board the plane on Friday.  Pray for health and safety in travel.  See you on the other side!