visit home *Reunited at last*

...it is well with my soul...

visit home *Family*

After 1.5 years away, it was PURE JOY to be among our dear family again! We had such sweet times together.

We are rich with Family who love us so and support all that we do.

We were even home in time to celebrate the 90th birthday of a very, very special lady in my life, my dear Grandma Zim! She is so very near to my heart in many ways. We have been so blessed to have that many more years with her!

visit home *Friends and their babes*

Among our dear circle of friends, 8 little blessings were born over the last year and a half!!

What joy it was to finally meet them all in person! (not all pictured)

Left side: Tim with Samuel Franklin, Hannah with Lucas Steele

Right side: Rachel and Lauren Turner, Ryder Olson, Grace and Sophia Highland, Merrill Humphrey, Samuel Franklin (again), Ryder Olson (again), Hannah with Alistair Hardy

Not pictured: Kira Sorenson, Olivia Palmer

visit home *Church Family*

While home, we had the opportunity to speak at our home church in Bend, Oregon. We shared of our ministry the last year and a half and several stories of patients and memorable experiences.

I can really only describe this with one word. Blessed. We felt so loved by the church. We were received. Embraced. We could feel the excitement of all those who have journeyed with us. Who have walked beside us over the last year and a half. Who have prayed so many prayers on our behalf and have given of their hard-earned money to our ministry.

We were renewed and encouraged by their love and support.

We are so overwhelmingly blessed to be a part of the family.

Thank you, First Baptist. We love you.

visit home *Good times*

We reveled again in the beautiful outdoors of the Pacific Northwest!

Good 'ol fashioned fun :)

Not to mention all the DELICIOUS food we eagerly consumed at the gracious hospitality of so many and, of course, at our favorite restaurants. :)

visit home *In limbo*

Being home was good in every way.

And yet it was like we were on the outside looking in... into a place that was familiar, but distant. It was like we were living two worlds, or better yet, between two worlds.

In one, a world governed by time. Where any and everything is at our fingertips, consumerism is a way of life; self absorption all too familiar; where freedom rings, and what you have defines you. We are surrounded by opportunity and those we love.

In the other, a world governed by community. Where being exists over having, surrounded by those in need; where clean water is a luxury and living in a home bigger than a one room shack is more than your neighbor; where medical care is for the rich; survival is a must, and hope is your greatest possession.

Neither is necessarily right nor best.

While it was only a visit, we felt pulled between these two worlds. I was torn for the future... when it is inevitably time to return home. Torn between a life of plenty, and a life of simplicity. Torn between Family, and a people who have stolen a piece of my heart. Pulled between a country I call home, and a continent that I have grown to love. Pulled between a life of making a living, and a life of giving a living.

2 million steps

Because my heart aches for these beautiful women...

Please check out what these amazing guys are doing for them here and read how you can help be a part of it! Inspiring!

Two million pennies is $20,000 – enough to completely transform the lives of 50 women with obstetric fistula and to prevent this from ever happening again in their communities.

Got any extra change lying around? :-)

(p.s. I've got posts written about our visit home-- just waiting on a few pics) :)

Video: Togo 2010

We made a video again!

This one highlights our last six-month outreach in Togo. We attempted multiple times to upload the video to blogger...???

So, instead, you can simply access the video here. Click on "Togo 2010." For your ease, the "wmv" is for Windows, and the "mov" is for Mac.

Enjoy! :-)

(For our ship friends, the file is too large. Sorry-O) :-(

home.sweet.home

After 2.5 days of traveling, we are HOME!! It is so surreal, we are taking it all in...


The first thing I noticed as I stepped out of the airport and onto American soil was the air. The smell. It was fresh and clean. I could smell "summer." You see Africa doesn't have seasons. We are enjoying the sweet presence of family and friends. And gawking over the VERY FAST internet! :-) What a luxury! We are also eating all the fruit we can get our hands on, like berries and orange oranges :-) Our first night home I couldn't get over the fact that it was after 9pm and it was still light out! I'm lovin' it. We also are still trying to get used to how QUIET it is around the house. Without the sound of the ship's engine alarms, motors, and a/c, I swear I would be able to hear a pin drop in our bedroom. And where are all the people??! :-)

I won't be posting as regularly during our visit home, but will resume when we return to the ship in a few weeks. Stop by again then!

winner!

so sorry for the delay...

congrats to Howard Green, winner of the Africa necklace giveaway! Howard is the father of my bestest friend on the ship. He has been following our journey through this blog and my dear friend, Allison (his daughter). Allison's friendship is a blessing and her joy is contagious. I am so thankful that God has brought her into my life, a constant amidst continual change. Howard, the necklace is in the mail. :-)

a big thanks to all those that participated... we'll have to do it again :-)