Why Change is Associated with Dirty Diapers

A couple of weeks ago, I posted on FB a list of blogs my head had written that week.  The thought of change and dirty diapers came to mind as change is going on at the mission and frankly, it has been hard and stinky!    It seemed to be a direct correlation to diaper changing.  At the time, the title made me smile a bit but I did not realize how big that change would be.

Only a few days shy of 4 years, our family will leave our home in the beautiful Kenscoff Mountains. We have prayed many, many times about our being here over the years as the Lord has held yet refined us through the struggles.  The Lord, knowing we were here until we heard clearly from Him,  made it crystal clear.   The mission is now under a new parent organization.   With the new direction the mission will be going, our services are no longer needed.   We will go in grace and gratitude for all the Lord has shown us here.  What a beautiful place this is...with beautiful people.  

At this time, we have no definite plans.  The Lord continues to refine us, we are still relying on Him.  We were scheduled for  furlough so we will continue on for a few weeks as if on furlough.  Although, we will not be speaking about the mission or "peddling our wares" of Mountain Maid products.   My Dear's desire to preach and share the word has not gone away and in fact has grown.   He has missed this being in Haiti but has found some ways to teach outside of his obligations.   

We are trying to prepare others for our leaving but balls will be dropped.  We are trying to prepare our children as well...whatever that looks like.   We have found refuge with family members.  "Can get rooms for 5 and 2 'normal' critters please?"   Dolly is transitioning other animals to their new homes and is thrilled to match them with people who are happy about their new pets!

We have gone through all sorts of emotions but My Dear and I have peace.   The children will grieve (and I will likely join them) as we say good-bye to what has become safe, comfortable, predictable.... where friends are.....you know, home!

Some prayer request might be:

I want our kiddos to transition well. I pray seeds are planted and roots are deep as they leave the safe comfort of a community of believers that spur them on (and call them out!)
I pray that work through the emotions of missing 4 years in their home country where their friends have moved on and grown through their own experiences that are very different from what our children have experienced....there are no gunned security officers at WalMart and it is okay to go out after dark.  

I pray for what's next....job, home, town, ministry.....  

I pray that we will not be a burden on others as we come back with little but need to dump the little we have in their homes and move in with them.

I pray that we end well.  That our coming was a testimony and that our going will be as well.  That it will be a testimony of our faith in the God that sent us and is calling us back to the states. We can TOTALLY trust HIM!!!!
I pray that we have loved well cause we are not out of the country just yet.

What a FANTASTIC JOURNEY this has been!   Change may be associated with dirty diapers but babies are worth it....so is following our sovereign God! 

Lord, thank you for what you have taught us here, for the people you have shown to us to love and the struggles you have pulled us through.  Thank you for what we have learned about denying ourselves.   God, You are FAITHFUL!