Eli's Visit & Start of 2023

 Monday, January 2, 2023 

Heavy rains last night thankfully did not turn off the power as they often do, and we awoke to a light drizzle covering the quiet campus.

Cory is thankful he will not need to water trees today; this is the first good rain since 59 fruit trees were planted the week before Christmas.

Fritz and I did a bit of school this morning, planning a week focused on a few subjects as we ease back into our routine.

Last night we enjoyed some time talking with our parents, Anna, and Eli who arrived back in Michigan. 

Very thankful that he changed his last flight earlier cutting down his wait in O'Hare by a few hours.

Very grateful as well that Anna arrived back in Malabu without trouble having decided to return by Amtrak.

She will attend a 4 day intensive class this week before starting normal classes next week.

Backing up a bit, the second two weeks of Eli's visit we stayed closer to home: finished the first 1/2 of  6th grade with Fritz; digging/preparing holes and planting trees; hanging out with Fritz at the Family Safari while we shopped; decorated Christmas cookies for us and the neighbors to enjoy; celebrating Christmas; playing games and legos; putting together and enjoying hot dogs around the new fire pit; talking; helping prepare Newsletters to send to partners; navigating around Lusaka while Dad bought plants; and much more..

Eli graciously agreed to carry back a couple hundred newsletters to be mailed tomorrow. 

Today we plan to send out the e-mail newsletters; if you do not currently receive our newsletter a few times a year, and would like to please let us know. 

Christmas Day we walked to church arriving around 9:30 for Sunday school.

The congregation enjoyed a cup of hot tea accompanied by two buttered rolls between Sunday school and church.

Church included more special music and a couple skits for the Christmas celebration.

Following church we shared a meal together that folks donated toward before Christmas. 

We all enjoyed the food. 

The wood benches did get a bit hard during the 6 hour program.

Eli driving on right side of
vehicle in parking lot. 
Didn't like it. 

Knowing the service would be long and wanting to focus on the Lord's birth we had a special meal and did gifts on Christmas Eve so  Fritz could enjoy putting together his newest Lego creation.

Very thankful to video chat with Anna for a while on both days!

Last week we also enjoyed a late night [for us] zoom with leadership of the Haitian Wesleyan church as we celebrated together 80 years of ministry in Haiti.

As was noted a few times 'we stand on the shoulders of those who walked before us,' so grateful for those in our families who decided long ago to trust in the Lord and follow Him. 

Lord help our testimonies to shine brightly for you during 2023 and not miss opportunities to share Your Truth in Love. 

Life continues to confirm that we do not know the future but need to focus on doing the next thing well for the Lord.  

We pray for the trees we planted in Haiti to be productive and help the people there.

We pray that these trees, plants, and flowers can be a blessing for years to come here as well.

I know that when I look at the trees and plants that Eli helped transplant I'll remember his visit and encouragement.