We would like to be out of our apartment completely before Dan leaves for Africa. This means we have less than two months to go through everything we own, pack what we want to keep and sell/trash what we don't want. Thankfully we have some experience with that very thing and this time I think we are ahead of the game! There are many arrangements that need to be made regarding living in Africa and a lot of information we need to gather so we can be as prepared as possible for our new life. On top of those things we will be in the process of phasing out of ministry involvements and other responsibilities, while attempting to meaningfully say good-bye to many of the wonderful people who have invested in our lives here. While we are incredibly excited to be going, leaving is, as always, very difficult.
Following Dan's initial departure for Uganda, I will be doing some traveling of my own, hoping to spend meaningful with friends and family in Lancaster, Spokane and Rochester. A couple we know who is living in Kampala have graciously offered to allow us to live with them temporarily. I am relieved that Dan will not be alone for the two months without me in Africa! While being apart for that period of time will surely be difficult, we believe that there are some benefits to the situation. One benefit being that Dan will be able to fully invest in his new job while he learns the ropes without the added responsibility of being a support to me in a new and lonely situation.
At the beginning of August we will both meet up in Rochester to spend a little time with the Milligan family and to celebrate the wedding and marriage of Jon and Rachel! We are so excited to be a part of their wedding and appreciative that Dan's new employer is allowing him the time off!
So, that's the brief version of our plan. Please pray for us as we tackle large to-do lists and say many good-byes!
