The last 61 days have been busy! Preparations are well under way. We aren't sleeping well as every time our eyes open we are thinking of yet another thing that must be done before we leave. Prepping our homes, gathering phone numbers, cleaning out clothes, getting clothes ready to take, (how in the world do you pack for two years???) closing up cars, and the list goes on and on. It's seemed overwhelming at times but we have found the routine of our preparation - both physically and spiritually.
We did have to say goodbye to our dogs Meeya and Porto. We rescued both of them from Northwest Boxer Rescue during Covid. Our agreement with NWBR was to surrender them back to them if we ever had to get rid of them. It was a very sad day. I sobbed. Paul drove them up to Beaverton to live with their foster mom. They are doing well. They are loved and happy in their new digs.
I've been busy with all the lasts - Classical Piano concert at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rag Tag Children's Choir Christmas Concert, Singing Christmas Tree, Grandies Christmas concerts, games, etc. We have fit in a few trips. I've been to see my parents and my sister with one more in the works in January to say goodbye.
I am in private tutoring for French provided by our church. Twice a week I hop onto a zoom call with Dorothee and she patiently teaches me French. She is from Southern France so I'm learning from the best. I've never taken a language class and it's well known in my family that I do not have an ear for languages. That being said, it's coming along. I'm learning. I'm practicing. I remind myself that it's like asking someone that has never played piano to learn a Concerto in 111 days. Impossible! Paul is brushing up his French and is doing well. We also know that there is French and then there is Congolese French which has some Swahili and other tribal languages added in. We are deep into Duolingo! Our church also has it's own language app and I've just started into that as well. Wish me luck!
We have also begun once a week zoom training on our specific assignments. We are only one zoom call in so more to come on that.
It's been interesting to look back on how I felt 61 days ago to today. We were both in total shock as to where we were assigned. We were both in total shock as to the time frame of when we were leaving. I cried for about two weeks. Not over being sad or mad - but feeling overwhelmed by it all. We had to change gears in our thought process about where we were going. Most of you recall that we requested 8 places - in Europe and Australia - and the DRCongo is NOT anywhere close to there! Today we are 100% IN! We are excited. We have strong testimonies that this is where the Lord wants us to go. We already have a love for the people. They are beautiful. This picture is from this past week where the missionaries bussed in 24 people to be baptized in the Congo River. Such humble people.
The best part of the past 61 days is my relationship with both Paul and the Lord. Paul and I have found a closeness and gentleness between us that has always been there but has been enhanced as we have focused our lives more fully on the Savior and our relationship with Him. I have felt a closeness to the Lord as I have put my trust, my faith, and my will in HIS hands. It's a tender time for sure.
As the days draw closer to our departure I find myself wondering how I will ever be able to say goodbye to my children and my grandchildren. Will our relationships with them become stronger? Will they remember me? Will we be able to connect with them? Then I remember what Jeffrey Holland said. He said that those 'little darlings' will be just fine while we are gone. He said that the example that we set to them by serving the Lord is the best thing we can do for them. The message that "We are a family that serves missions and serves the Lord" will be clear and that our relationships will blossom. I'm counting on that! We couldn't do this without them. They will be minding our lives for us while we are away. Minding our homes, our finances, well EVERYTHING! This is a family mission for sure.
We will miss our family. We will miss our beautiful community. We will miss our quiet mountain as we trade it in for a city of 15 million people. But it's just a pause..............we will be back. We will be changed. We are so grateful that we have this opportunity - even when it seems impossible, difficult, overwhelming............. It's a small price to pay for all we have been blessed with!
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