Hard goodbyes followed by joyful new arrivals

Our family and the interns on top of the KICC building. 

The time of year has come once again: to say goodbye to another incredible group of interns. Annika, Jaynisi, Lucas, and Josh spent 9 months learning and serving in Gtown and the surrounding communities. I am sure that they made an impact in lots of peoples lives but I certainly can give specifics on how they were a blessing to our family. They joined us each week in prayer and worship as a Bethany team. They welcomed Righteous wholeheartedly into their Swahili class. They would do ministry 1 day a week with Righteous and Nevaeh in either a local school or the farm. Another meaningful thing was the girl interns had our daughters over for a sleepover once a week. 

We had 4 days in Nairobi to go through some sessions of debriefing and re entry. Besides these discussions we got to go out to the KICC helipad to overlook the city. Jason was able to point out where the former American Embassy stood (before it got bombed in 1998) and where the governor office is, as well as the Supreme Court and other important buildings. The interns got to go on a gamedrive in Nairobi National Park and we all went out for dinner at a Brazilian steakhouse. We have had many wonderful experiences with them and truly notice their loss. There were many tears shed when saying the final goodbye to say the least.

The interns mentioned all the people they got to meet during their 9 month internship and lifted each one, by name, up to the Lord.

We took time to look back on each month the Interns were here and what events took place.

Jason pointing out different buildings in Nairobi. 

Jaynisi, Annika, me (Bekah), Jason, Josh and Lucas.

Samara turned 13 on May 4th so now our home has 4 teenage girls. 

On Samara's birthday she got to celebrate by going on rides at Two Rivers Mall. There were 16 people able to come along which was a gift in itself. Samara was also able to ride on the only Ferris wheel in Kenya which is also the largest in all of Africa standing at 60 meters high and 55 meters in diameter- able to have 240 people at one rotation. Samara and her sisters have been recently saying that they are looking forward to getting a bouquet of flowers whenever they start dating. In the evening of Samara's birthday Annika and Jaynisi gave each Witt girl (and me too) a unique individual bouquet and told them they didn't have to wait for a boyfriend to receive one. After this the interns left to go to the airport which was a very sad way to end the day- but thankfully Samara had the day to spend with them.

The first time meeting baby Simeon was in Nairobi,  where he was born.

We are beyond thrilled to announce the arrival of baby Simeon, born to Sam and Marissa Earls. Samara had to give up her title as youngest of the Gtown team to him but she is already trying to convince him to give her the new title of favorite Aunti- it's going to be quite the competition to achieve this. Please pray for the Earls family as they slowly settle back in as now a family of three.

 

Jason says he only likes to hold baby Simeon when he is awake= because he is more fun that way. Jason says babies are boring when they are asleep. 

Nevaeh holding Benji Canady on our way to Gtown from Nairobi. 

Another new exciting arrival is the Canady family of four joining the Gtown team! JP, Sarah, Phin (3) and Benji (2) came to Kenya May 6th and stayed with us for a week while they got things fixed up in their house that's right down the road. The girls have been learning about things that little boys are interested in- like Spider-Man shows/songs and throwing and catching and kicking balls in and out of the house. On this past Sunday the Canady family officially moved in to their own home. Could you pray for God's grace be sufficient as they learn how to cook, clean, and live here. It feels like just doing the normal everyday things take so much longer than how it's done in America. There is a big adjustment when moving onto the mission field and it can be overwhelming. Even though a missionary's purpose is to tell others about God's love and truth they need to also remember how God loves them so much that He sent His Son to die for just for them. When this soaks in it is much easier to count the cost and embrace the good times and difficult times. Oh Lord be exalted in the things we do and say. Receive all praise for blessed be Your Name.

Samara and Righteous sweeping out the laundry room at the Canady's new house.

Ashley is such a champ cleaning out the top closets finding strange things like chicken bones, a wisdom tooth and gross things like mouse poop.

Nevaeh, Abbigail and Sarah cleaning while Phin rides his bike and Benji "helps".