Taking Stock

Geoff and I are home alone tonight.

The kids have gone overnight camping down on the farm with some friends. (Hoping they don’t have any pythons, cobras, safari ants or any other unique creature disturb them.) Geoff is preaching on Sunday so we settled into a night of preparation by study and reflection.

Shortly after we cleaned up the dinner dishes he asked me to name my favorite part of the past two weeks. 

I had no idea. 

It wasn’t that my brain couldn’t choose, it was flat blank.

I commented that I’d have to check the calendar to even know what we did. 

And so have been our days, so full we collapse into bed at night. Though he and I attack the pillows differently—he snoozes DEEPLY within moments and I struggle to get any shut eye for more than an hour, the days are indeed packed.

When I took stock in answer to his question I was floored at all that had gone on in and around us!

At a time in our life when we are endeavoring to prepare for a very long furlough, our emotions are at constant ebb and flow. Some moments are manageable and some are overwhelming.

A quick synopsis of recent events reveals we haven’t sat still. And yet, in it all, we are thankful! God has given us sooooo much: friends, material goods, children, beauty of creation, abundant ministry opportunities and His rich presence. Instead of being overcome by stress at all there is to do, we are striving to remain thankful at all we have in Him. Indeed, we are rich!!!!!

Just two weeks ago we welcomed one of my friends from Pepperdine, along with his wife. It was a whirlwind visit starting on Sunday morning when I picked up Joanie, my friend’s wife, from Entebbe airport and enjoyed a full day of visiting together along with another missionary we’ve come to know who works in western Uganda, and our dear daughter Nabukeera. It was an eclectic group and quite enjoyable to talk with poolside in Entebbe. In the evening we retrieved from the airport Joanie’s husband, David as he arrived from a week of ministry in Ethiopia. While on the way back to Kasana Joanie decided it would be nice to have a skirt made of local materials so I called Geoff’s colleague, Deborah, who is one of the staff that I mentor. She is also a tailor and agreed to make a skirt that evening. When we arrived home at 10 p.m. Geoff and the kids had a nice supper ready for us, which we enjoyed while continuing to catch up. I think we got to bed around midnight.  The next day we gave them a quick but thorough tour of the Kasana site of New Hope Uganda. Joanie also received her skirt in the morning and, after alterations, was able to take it with her as they left site later that afternoon to return to Entebbe.

Carothers and Britton families

We have had few personal visitors these past 13 years, but this was David’s second visit and Joanie’s first. How blessed to be able to show them the ministry here and share in learning about their ministry!

The rest of that week was quite packed! Sam arrived on Wednesday from having taught primary school in Kampala the first term of this school year. Then on Thursday we all traveled together to Kampala where Geoff and I had a number of doctor appointments—all with good results! (It is SOOOO much cheaper here to do well doctor visits!!!) On Saturday Toby took the SAT and Saturday evening we shared a fantastic three hours with dear, longtime friends at their home in Kampala. This was a major part of us preparing to leave well! Laughing, sharing memories and prayers for the future filled our evening which culminated with their presentation of a unique gift of Ugandan art. As Geoff and I enjoyed our former co-workers the kids whooped it up with their friends. It was a great night, but a difficult goodbye! 

Serunkuma and Britton families

And speaking of goodbyes, one of our foreign staff families left for a five month furlough the same Sunday I was in Entebbe. 

Then, a week ago Tuesday Geoff’s Early Adulthood staff came together at Deborah’s house for an amazing meal she had planned and prepared to both celebrate the Passover season and to appreciate our family.

Britton family and the Early Adulthood staff

On Wednesday the childcare department staff met to honor Geoff for the years of service he has given to the ministry. Though we were blessed to hear appreciation given, it was a bit uncomfortable to be the center of attention!! The next Wednesday we hosted all the foreign staff at our house for fellowship and a meal catered by Aunt Lucy, our David Family mother. (That Wednesday was WILD as Geoff had gone to Jinja at 4:30 a.m. (4 hours away) on a public taxi and returned just 10 minutes before the foreign staff arrived!)

And all this activity of celebration, welcomes and goodbyes, oozes alongside the house presenting itself as a thing to be packed and cleaned sometime in the next three weeks!!!

Goodbyes are a thing in this season of our life—who are we kiddin? Good-byes are frequent in all seasons for us missionaries!! However, there are some welcome goodbyes . . .that kind was heavily celebrated by our kids recently——goodbye to the 10th and 11th grades!!! Kevin and Acacia finished up by May 4th and Toby May 12th. I celebrated today as I finished up their portfolios after completing grade reports and transcripts earlier in the week. Since late last week I have been cleaning out the school banda; I am almost finished, but the emotions keep welling up as I sort through old papers and projects. This could very well have been my last homeschool year with my kids. I am gripped by juxtaposing emotions. Honestly, I am tired and truly looking forward to them experiencing a larger Christian school this fall. But, not being with the three of them all day long everyday while enjoying their learning journey will be a major adjustment. Prayers are appreciated in this regard!

Last Tuesday Susanna, a fellow foreign staff member, was a part of our family dinner table, followed by games. Unfortunately, one of our David Family staff members suffered a second seizure episode that evening, which sent us running to attend to him, (he had collapsed earlier in the day as well). He is recovering fairly well so far. Prayers are appreciated for his health and well being. 

On Wednesday we showed one of Louis Giglio’s talks on God’s creation with the David Family (“Indescribable”). They loved hearing about God’s power and creativity! This week we will share with them his piece called, “Symphony,” in which he shows us how the universe audibly declares the glory of God.  

Yes, it has been a busy, busy two+ weeks! 

But, you know what? My favorite thing of the past two weeks has carried me through all the different activities and interactions I’ve just shared. But, it is not an event or a person. 

I have discovered a music compilation by Shane and Shane. The worship they inspire with clear, resonant and soothing voices accompanied by emotive music has kept me focused on God Himself. The way they sing of His power, love, justice, beauty, goodness, compassion and Lordship have consistently evoked deep devotion and appreciation for God the creator, redeemer and sustainer.

There is NO WAY we can move through this season, or any life season, without Him. I have been drawn into worship of God and humbled when I reflect on His goodness toward us. 

His presence and His hand on us these past 13 years is beyond our understanding. 

This next season I expect the same. His hand. His love. His power. His plan. His people.

We are thankful!