Leaving on a jet plane...

So hard to believe that 2 years and 8 months ago we boarded a plane in Florida with a one way ticket to Africa. We didn't know what the future held but we were excited, scared, and sad. Excited to see what the Lord would do in our lives, scared of the unknowns. and sad to be leaving our families behind. Today, we're headed in the opposite direction with another one way ticket. We pretty much have the exact same emotions excited, scared, and sad. Excited to see our family, friends and to see what the Lord has for us in the future.  Scared because we know that we are not the same people we were 2 years and 8 months ago. We've lived in a completely different culture with a completely different lifestyle and we've changed. I'm not exactly sure how our new selves will fit into American culture and to be honest, I don't want to change, I like the new woman God has transformed me into and I don't want to loose that. I don't want to get caught up in the materialism that plagues American culture. We're sad, to once again be leaving our family behind. We've made lifelong connections with a lot of the people here and we're going to miss them greatly! As we make this journey and start a new chapter of our lives, will you please remember to pray for the following:

1. Safe , on time flights. Zeke to do well on the flights and that we all may get a few hours of sleep. The trip will take us 24 hours to make!
2. Smooth adjustments as we get back into life in America. Reverse culture shock is more than likely on the horizon for us, pray we will deal well with the shock that comes.
3. Pray that we will not forget all that God has taught us these past 2 years. That we won't get caught up in the "American dream" and loose sight of what's really important.
4. Pray for our health. Zeke's burn is still healing and he's not able to wear shoes yet. Pray for him to remain infection free. Pray for the little one coming, that God will watch over him/her.
5. Pray for the work we are leaving behind. The work is great and the workers are very, very few. Pray for someone(s) to come take our place in working with the Bambara.

I'll update more once we get home and get settled. Until next time...