It seems we’re being hit with all the hard stuff right before we leave.  It first started with feelings of loneliness and isolation—the feeling that everyone has forgotten us.  Mostly it’s been due to the fact that we hardly hear from anyone anymore, and have only been getting junk mail.  Second our internet and phone connections have been going wonky.  That means they’re even more unreliable and frequently cut out on us for days at a time (which partially accounts for not hearing from anybody).  Third, Jen has some kind of fungus on her back, I have weird hives, and Abi’s heat rash has come back.  And though the rainy season has come back, bringing with it strong winds and cloud cover, it’s also brought back the high humidity which makes the already high heat really sticky and sweaty.  Oh, and we’ve also caught colds (seems ironic considering the heat).

     Still, other than feeling icky most of the time, I would say we’re pretty optimistic and positive.  Mostly I know we’re excited for our return to the states and Panama (we leave in three weeks), eager to be back on friendly soils again and to see friendly faces again.  It’s amazing how fast time has flown by.  10 months ago we were speaking in church, asking people to pray for us to have safe travels and protection to Guinea.  Now we’re at the tail end of it all, asking people to pray for safe travels and protection home.  It’s been an amazing journey.  God has done and is continuing to do so much (even as we speak some of the elders and young men of Correrah are meeting with Andres, having recently seen the Jesus film.  They are asking if that is why the team is really in Correrah.  We weren’t the ones to show the film, but people are finally putting the pieces together).  These are exciting times for our family, for the team, and for the Jahango people.  Along with the excitement come plenty of challenges and tests (such as the fact that we’re still praying for a job for next year), but God is definitely at work.

     Please continue to pray for us.  Pray for our family:  God’s provision and protection as we head back to the U.S.  Pray for our team:  continued clarity and direction, protection and provision for their furloughs and future ministry.  Pray for the Jahango:  God’s revelation to penetrate their hearts, convince them of their need for Jesus, and bring them to repentance and faith in Him.  Thank you for your prayers!!!!