why are you moving to africa?
why are you packing up your lives {into 8 rubbermaid containers} and flying halfway around the world?
why are you going, especially when you have two young kids?
and then...
why are you taking your kids away from comfort? safety? opportunities? wealth? friends? family?
even if you don't say it, i know you think it sometimes.
because of Jesus.
because He loves us and it's his love that compels us to leave what we know for the unknown.
because our love for Him causes us {causes me} to actually desire to give up everything for the sake of bringing Him praise.
it's because of our kids that we are going.
not despite. or even though we have kids.
our call is their call.
as a family we are called to africa.
the opportunities they will have are like none i could ever offer them living the life we live in canada.
their eyes will see things they would never see.
they will experience life as most of the world knows it.
and i know they will love it.
{it's their parents that will probably have a harder time.}
they will see their parents striving to obey God and listening to His voice to go.
they will likely see us making mistakes and learning to lean on Him more and more.
we will bond together in a way all families should, but the western world and all her distractions make so difficult.
us & Jesus.
David Livingstone {missionary to africa} said this about leaving the "benefits" of england:
"Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger, now and then, with a foregoing of the common conveniences and charities of this life, may make us pause, and cause the spirit to waver, and the soul to sink; but let this only be for a moment. All these are nothing when compared with the glory which shall be revealed in and for us. I never made a sacrifice."
this is what i want for me. for us.
we leave in one week today.
there have been crazy setbacks due to my procrastination and lack of planning;
but we go....
(in 7 days and counting)
Vaness I love this. So great to hear your heart. I admire you and your family :) We'll be praying for you. Also I will be visiting you on my lunch hour next week...multiple times :)
ReplyDeleteWHAT?! One week? Okay- so i'll e-mail you my number. I'm happy to help you learn Kampala a little! Praying as you say goodbyes, make memories and pack up your life!
ReplyDeletei love that you're going - and that you aren't using your kids asn an excuse to stay. you're so right - they will benefit form this experience.
ReplyDeleteAfrica will be home for them. wow. one week left until you go - i can only iimagine the emotions that are at the surface. praying for you all. you will be missed here but your presence would be missed over there if you didn't go.
beautiful.
ReplyDeletegood one V. I know its a lame response, but, that was a good one. Honest, open and inspiring. I LOVE that Livingstone quote. I think its hard for people who aren't called to understand those that are, but you're so gracious about it. Thank the Lord. It must be very difficult to be embarking on such a huge thing with so many nay sayers, but keep holding on to His promises and you'll make it through. Love you guys.
ReplyDelete