Heading to Zim

We are presently finishing up our time in the US. We ended up postponing our leaving date by 2 weeks, because it will allow us to save $1,500 in airline tickets. Our goal is to always be good stewards with what God has entrusted us with. These savings are partly due to a missionary retreat that Yolanda will be attending in Cape Town, South Africa. This is the same women’s missionary retreat that she attended two years ago, and will be a wonderful time to be with other female missionaries, getting rejuvenated for another assignment on the mission field. Of course the blessing of postponing our leaving date has left us with a little extra time to accomplish things we often feel like we are rushing or running out of time to do, including many administrative tasks. In addition, we get to also enjoy some intentional family time, especially with Andrew’s sister visiting for the week. We will also be here to enjoy some of the 4th of July celebrations, just in time as we leave soon after. 

Last Minute Happenings

We have been able to do some last minute extended family visits too, which we have so enjoyed and appreciated. As is common, we’ve spent our time finishing up all the last minute appointments and errands. We’ve had final dentist visits, doctor appointments, bank visits, ensuring all online business options are set in place, phone calls, emails, mailings, and purchases (no doubt there’ll be a few more final purchases, as our packing gets done and we know the space and weight we actually have left).

Back in Zim

Janeece has been having her final visits with the ladies’ groups and finishing up her study of “Angels” with them. And since we unfortunately will be missing her, as she needs to leave by July 1st and we only arrive after that, we have been having plenty of communication via WhatsApp, getting caught up on all the necessary changes and updates that side. It would be hard to put into words the many details we need to cover. 

Yolanda has been receiving multiple messages from the ladies letting her know that we are being missed. They have been sharing about what’s been happening in their lives and with their families and areas of prayer that are needed. They’ve reminded us that they’ve been praying for us too. This continued communication is so important for our relationships when we’ve been gone for so many months. 

Important Dates

We depart Chicago July 6th. We plan to be in England for a few days to see Yolanda’s family. We will land in Cape Town July 12th and then attend the Thrive Ministry retreat. Soon after, we will finally arrive back in Zimbabwe. We leave here in the middle of the summer heat and will arrive there in the middle of the cool winter (Cape Town especially will be cold).

Thank You

As we finish up our time stateside, we have much for which to be grateful! Many to say thank you to, and plenty to give God praise for!

We have seen the Lord at work throughout our time in the US. We had safety traveling 15,000 miles around the country to visit so many of you (traveling through 20 different airports). We slept in 23 different beds, as so many of you opened up your homes to us and were generous with your hospitality. The fundraising campaign, raising monthly support was successful, with so many of you signing up to give generously. We were blessed emotionally, with so many words of encouragement, prayers, and times of intentional fellowship.