Not quite at home at home - by Crystal

Our time in the States has been both a blessing and a challenge. It has been so wonderful to be here for the year and to enjoy friendships, family, church and all the comforts that America has to offer. On the other hand there is a nagging and tugging at our hearts that this is just not home. Our hearts burst with anticipation to be back in Africa and all that God has for our family as we serve Him there.
It has been so special for us and the boys to be close to family. A huge blessing has been that the boys have really enjoyed hanging out with the Aunties, Uncles and Gram and Gramp. We are so thankful for their love and kindness to us and for their loving extra measure of patience just when we have needed it. As the boys are older now it has been interesting for Lad and I to see through their eyes about their experience living in Africa. They have gone through tons of emotions as their little hearts have processed what our family does. They have had many questions too, voiced their fears about going back and seem to be mourning already at the thought of saying goodbye and in the same breath looking forward to and saying hello again to Africa. It has been good and we are thankful they are able to share their feelings as we talk and pray through all of them.
The boys (Squire and Wyatt) are almost finished with their home schooling for the year and will start a new grade at their school in Africa at the end of January. At the beginning of the year the task seemed daunting to a mom who has never home schooled before and I am happy to say the end is in sight and I think that they actually learned something! The baby, Crusoe is not a baby anymore he is definitely into full-blown toddler life and trying to keep up with those big brothers. The boys had the opportunity to play fall soccer this year and it was so fun to see them running and having a blast being on a team and playing with friends.
The year has been busy and full and we do praise God for our time here. We are getting excited about turning our hearts and hands toward Africa once again. We count it a huge privilege that you are on this journey with us through your prayers and partnership with us. Our family could not survive without you! Thanks for making our time here a good transition for our family and especially for our boys. We look forward to this next term in Africa with you on our team! Love, Crystal

God made brains cool

Waking up on top of my land rover in rural swaziland at a 4.46am sunrise gives you time to think and pray...

...and it just came to me.

7 months without any need for it, and it came back just like that!

People in the States ask me if I know Siswati at all, and I say, “a bit.”

“Tell me some,” they ask … and I can’t think of a word.

But as I arrived back home in SZ last week, the words and conversations just came right out of my mouth.

It is like the context of sight and smell and sound brought it all back to me. Just like that. Brains are cool.

Thank you, Maker God.

in africa again - october 11

Three years ago today Crystal and the boys and I landed in Johannesburg via one way tickets through London, as we moved to Africa to serve Him in whatever He had for us. Crusoe was not born yet, and my exhausted wife and children and I spent a day or two sleeping and recovering from the trip as we entered an entirely new life of serving God in a new place and among a new people.

I arrived in Johannesburg to be greeted by my good friend, Andy Sims, who I met on that same day 3 years ago in this same airport. It is amazing how quickly time has flown by, and how it seems a lifetime ago at the same time.

I am in Africa to prepare for our move back to Swaziland in January of 2008, to meet with the group of people I am going to be serving with in Children’s Cup, and to help a team of people as we begin the process of building Orphan Carepoints in the rural area of Herefords. I will be here for 2.5 weeks and then I will return to Ohio to finish up our interim pastor role at Leroy Community Chapel.

It's going to go by quick. Selah ...