Sorry we have not had a chance before now to update you on
our whereabouts. We were thrown for some unexpected loops over the last week. We've
learned with Mercy Ships (and with life) that flexibility is key to making the
most of things. Nothing ever seems to happen the way we want it to but we have
seen time and time again that God works his best into ever situation. Here's
the scoop. . . We flew back to Durban,
South Africa on July 30th after 5 wonderful weeks in the States.
We packed our time home with many exciting things and were
able to see so many of you. It was so
refreshing and encouraging to get to spend time with our family and friends in
the States. We enjoyed our time so much and
yet we felt eager to get back to our ship-home and family.
Thank you so much for welcoming us
into your homes, blessing us in so many ways, flying and driving many miles to
see us and encouraging us as individuals and as a family. It was really sweet to be surrounded by so
many and realize the breadth and depth of our support group!
Before we left the States we learned that the repairs that
are being done on the ship here in Durban were not done and the time in the
shipyard needed to be extended. This
meant 2 things for us. The first was
that we were not able to depart back to Madagascar on August 3 like we had
originally planned. The second was that
we could not move back into our home on the ship. During this phase of shipyard (when the ship
is out of the water) children are not allowed on board so families have to move
off of the ship (you may remember our time last summer in the Canary Islands).
So. . . for the time
being we are staying with several other families at a guest house about 30
minutes from the ship. It is a lovely
group of people and a really lovely location.
We are situated in a very nice neighborhood with large houses and
beautiful landscaping. We have all our meals cooked for us, rooms cleaned daily
and laundry done as needed. The
guesthouse is giving us a great deal and it is a very nice place to be.
While
we are sad to not be able to be in our home and despite being surrounded by
such beauty and wonderful housing it is not easy all the time. We are wanting
so much to be grateful for this gifts and appreciate this time for what it
is. I am hopeful and expectant that God
can and will do great things in us during this time and I don't want to miss it
by complaining J We are learning more and more about finding the blessings in change.
The plan at this point is for the ship to go back in the
water around the 18th of August and for us to move back on board shortly after
and set sail around the 20th of August. We would really appreciate your prayers for the ship and for us during
this time.
Would you
pray with us that. . .
-All the repairs that need to be done would
get done well and the ship would be ready to sail
-There would not be any more complications
or new issues arise
-For our advance team that is trying to plan
around an unknown arrival date, that they would be able to get all things set
for the ship to arrive
-For our family during this time, that we
would be able to get some time to relax and refresh after a busy 5 weeks in the
States.
-For grateful and thankful hearts in the
midst of many changes and uncertainty.
Thanks so much for your support and prayers. We will let you know as we know any updates
on our progress back to Madagascar and to a functioning hospital! Here are some
pictures of the monkeys and the sunsets at the guesthouse!! Unexpected blessings of changing plans. Seriously. . .how could we complain about this??
Every night we are blessed with an amazing African sunset!
A monkey in a tree right off our balcony!
And one on the balcony too!!
We have a pool!! Even though it's winter here and the water is freezing, the kids have enjoyed taking a (quick) dip!
Our view of the breathtaking hill country around Durban.