Our time in South Africa and counting the cost

Thank you for your prayers for us during our time in South Africa.  Not only did we get to experience the safe birth of our second son (Jeremiah Jude), we were also able to spend the majority of our time with Jako’s mom and celebrate Christmas with her side of the family.  The longer we are in the missions field, have kids and  witness them growing up, the more we realize the true sacrifice of living so far away from family.  Loosing Amber’s mom last year to cancer and seeing Jako’s grandparents age more and more makes us really count the cost of what it means to follow God’s calling, so far away. 

Although we know that God has called us to live and minister in Zambia, (and we are blessed that both sides of our family are so supportive of us doing so), seeing Jakob getting so attached to his Ouma and great grandparents and then having to leave them is very hard.  Even for us ,never knowing when we  might see that beloved family member again or if we even will this side of heaven pierces the heart in a way that words cannot describe.  It’s not just that special moments- like first smiles, first steps, birthdays, will have to be shared over e-mails or telephone it’s the small every day moments that family share when they live close to one another that we miss the most – frequent hugs and kisses, being able to get together whenever one wants, and growing bonds that only come with time.   

Jakob so enjoyed getting to spend so much time with his Ouma and great grandparents. Ouma was great at giving him lots of love and attention (and lots of sweets!) and she really appreciated getting to share in the first 5 weeks of Jeremiah’s life.  With all that said, it was harder saying goodbye this time that it ever was before. 

We were gone a bit longer than we expected due to the time it took to get all of Jeremiah’s paperwork in order (SA birth certificate, SA passport, USA Consular Report of Birth Abroad, and US passport) but while we were there we were able to share with two different church and reconnect with many friends and supporters that we had not seen in a while.  Being delayed a bit also allowed us to be able to pick up Alyssa in Johannesburg on her return from the States.  (Alyssa surprised her friends/family with a visit back home in VA/MD while we were in South Africa).  It was great to have the 3 day drive back to Zambia to reconnect with her and to prepare our hearts and mind for all that God might have in store for us and the ministry in 2012