On June 4th we said goodbye to Dallas. Knowing we were only going to be there for a period of time, it was tempting to just keep to ourselves and not invest in getting to know the people around us. Instead we met some truly wonderful people. Caedmon became good friends with a young dating couple. They graciously and lovingly listened to his stories and jokes, played with him, and frequently sat with us at meal time. We learned much about other work going on around the world and were very encouraged. It was a rich time we would not have benefited from if we stayed to our own room and our own business, though it made saying goodbye more difficult.
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| Our rout thus far |
Since leaving we have been blessed to see many people. We have met spouses and children of friends whose families have grown since we went overseas in Kansas and Alabama. We spent a weekend in Missouri, where Whitman was born. We were blessed with many visits and much time with people from our time living there. It has been such an amazing opportunity to meet with friends from long ago and get to know new ones better, as in Georgia; yet it has also been hard to say goodbye after just a meal or evening together. We have gotten to catch up and even learn the ways in which they are being stretched and grown. We have heard some very sad stories of the hurt and struggles people have experienced. It has been a great reminder of the brokenness in this world, not just isolated to our host country overseas. We have frequently been encouraged by our friends, but also have greatly desired to do more...to walk with our friends through the difficult times. We know each of these cities is not the place we are suppose to be long term, so we are thankful for the time we do get with people, encourage when we can, and know we can lift them up from anywhere!
So we continue to plug in, then plug out.
The boys are doing well. Whitman complains every time we have to leave, which just affirms his enjoyment at each stop! Please do be thinking of Caedmon and Whitman as we continue with many hours in the car and sitting at restaurants talking.
