The Re-entry

Goodbye for now, Pemba!

Once again our family has been on the move. We recently completed our three-year apprentice term in Mozambique with the International Mission Board and traveled back to the U.S. for our first Stateside Assignment (STAS) (otherwise known as furlough).

In the weeks leading up to our departure from Mozambique, we had the joy of participating in a prayer retreat with our colleagues and close friends the Harrells in Nacala, where we spent the first ten months of our term learning language and culture. It was a fitting way to end our term: coming full circle from those first days of disorientation and transition, one "homecoming" before another, more dramatic, one.

It was a strange time to leave Pemba. We had been planning to make this exit at this time since the moment we landed on the field, but because of some alarming recent events in the province, many other missionaries and expats were suddenly leaving or making plans to leave Pemba as well, fleeing to safer and more peaceful locations. So we weren't the only ones saying goodbye, and sadly, no one knows whether the Pemba we return to—if we are able to return to it—will ever be the same. We are thankful that the Lord worked out the timing so that we were already leaving anyway, so we weren't forced to make any decisions about whether or where to relocate ourselves. 

We had a nice pool party at a local restaurant for our kids and their friends (and our friends) to come spend time with us before we left. We also shared a meal and an afternoon at the beach with a group of friends who were all going separate ways.

Gracie and Tabby with their friend Stephanie at Russell's

Swimming at Russell's

Judah and Asher with friends at Russell's

Harvey and I with our dear friends Arie and Marie
(South African missionaries)

Ben and Tabitha with their friends Merina and Celso (also siblings)

Judah with her good friend Emma

At the beach with some of my closest friends in Pemba—
three of us are now no longer in Pemba

With our missionary community in Pemba

Saying goodbyes to nationals (Mozambicans) was not as heart-wrenching as I expected. Perhaps that was partly because churches were still closed when we left, so we weren't saying goodbye to large groups of people. We visited our closest friends and ministry partners who were in town to encourage and pray with them (despedir, as we call it in Portuguese).

Saying goodbye to Issa and Delta

Saying goodbye to Pastor Acácio at the Pemba airport

My biggest concern about traveling was the Covid tests. We had heard too many stories of people who had not been sick but still got positive Covid results that wrecked their travel plans. We knew that Harvey had already had Covid a couple months ago, but none of the rest of us got sick, so none of the rest of us got tested at that time, and there was that fear that particles might still be in some of our systems and show up on the tests. But the Lord was gracious to us once again, and we were all negative.

We left Pemba on Wednesday, April 21, and arrived in Oklahoma City on Thursday, April 22, with no canceled or delayed flights. By God's grace it was smooth travel all the way! We were welcomed at the airport in OKC by our parents, Harvey's uncle, and Harvey's sister and her family. It had been three years since we had seen them, three years since we had been together. But it might as well have been yesterday the way they welcomed us right back in.

Our first meal back in the States: Chick-fil-A at DFW

Everyone helped load our bags into vehicles, and they brought us to the mission house where we are staying. We are amazingly blessed to be able to stay in a lovely mission house of Southern Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. It has plenty of space for our family, and it's warm and cozy and so pretty. We could not ask for more.

Our mission house in South Oklahoma City
(provided by Southern Hills Baptist Church)

Welcome signs and goodies in our mission house
from Portland Avenue Baptist Church

Something you don't see much of in Mozambique: a fireplace

The differences between life here and life in Pemba are striking. Our home and our neighborhood are quiet and peaceful, without the constant presence of workers and foot traffic and chapas (minibuses). The streets are paved and smooth. We can pass through town without a second glance—we blend right in. The weather is pleasant (cool, even), and we don't sweat (or stink) nonstop morning until night. Anything we want or need is at our fingertips, or at least a short drive or walk away. And then there's the water. No constant filling of filters, ice trays, and spare bottles of water! Drinkable tap water, and an endless supply of cold drinking water available straight from the fridge! Clothing instantly dried in a dryer rather than hung on a line, and super soft instead of stiff and stretched out.

And then there's church. Of course church looks dramatically different here: beautiful buildings, comfortable pews, modern lighting, sound systems, controlled climate. But what's been truly amazing is being able to worship in our heart language and culture. To be a part of Sunday School and small groups and youth group. Our teenagers will be going on a mission trip in June and then to camp in July. Harvey will be preaching soon, and I've already gotten to teach a ladies' Bible study session. We are beyond grateful for these opportunities and the way that the local body has embraced our family.

Worship at Portland Avenue Baptist Church

We've been back about a month now, and so far, by God's grace, re-entry has been pretty seamless. The Lord has allowed us to stay in touch with our brothers and sisters in Pemba through WhatsApp, and last week we met up with our teammates from Pemba (also on STAS) in Texas and spent a few fun days with their sweet family. So we miss Pemba and continue to pray fervently for the work there, but we are grateful to be where we are and hope to make the most of the next few months resting, reconnecting, and refueling for whatever God has in store for us in the future.

Hanging out with cousins at a track meet

Enjoying Starbucks!

Ben in downtown Oklahoma City with friend Maddox

Celebrating our April birthdays (a bit late) with Oma

Gracie singing at Lone Star Baptist Church

Harvey preaching at Lone Star Baptist Church

Celebrating Mother's Day with my mom

Mother's Day

Judah with cousin Ellie

The teenagers hanging with friends at Dunkin' Donuts

With our teammates from Pemba at Great Wolf Lodge

Judah with best bud Penley

Ready to swim!

Visiting Magnolia in Waco

Afternoon snack

Coffee and cupcakes!

Celebrity handprints

Sweet sisters

At the Dr. Pepper museum in Waco

Watching the making of Dr. Pepper floats

Sweet treats: Dr. Pepper floats!

Life is a series of entries, exits, and re-entries. May we always remember that He is our home, He is our rest, He is our peace. We haven't suffered or taken the kinds of steps of faith as did those numbered in Hebrews 11, but their stories are a reminder of this truth to us as we find ourselves in our latest sojourn:

"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city." (Hebrews 11:13–16)