It was just about one month in Washington State and over a month since leaving Kigali to go to the annual HOPE Leadership Summit. The trip for Garrett included a stop in Haiti for some savings methodology training. God in all His infinite wisdom knew that this trip was exactly what we needed to recharge and revitalize our souls as well as renew our vision for the work that is taking place in Rwanda. Our time with family and friends could not have been more precious. Although, most of our interactions were brief, we were able to savor each moment together. We cannot thank everyone enough for the gracious hospitality offered to us while being home.
The Leadership Summit provided us time to get to know fellow HOPE coworkers and refocus on the core mission of discipleship through microenterprise development. While every session of summit was meaningful, the one that sticks out particularly for me was one about idolatry in our work. I foolishly let myself think that going to a developing country to serve the Lord omitted me from having any idols in my life. This session called me out in the most vulnerable of ways and I am so grateful. Another standout time was a devotion entitled "Treasure in Clay Jars." I don't really need to go beyond the title to describe what the talk was about, but it really encouraging to two weary hearts.
In the midst of our time in Pennsylvania, we were also able to spend time with Chris, Kristen, and Emelyn, Kenney, who made the drive up from North Carolina to see us. Although brief, we had a great time exploring all (mostly the food though) that Philadelphia offers.
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| Lake in the pool |
Our time in Washington is where the title of the post is derived. We were able to stay at Rachael's on Mercer Island, where there is a beautiful view of Lake Washington from the living room window. We even ventured into the lake at one point. Probably more significant is the time we were able to spend with our 15 month old niece, Eleanor Lake. She is now quite the character as well as quite mobile. It was a little sad to think of the time that we've missed in her life to this point. Fortunately, with Momma Ashely working, we were able to spend some quality time with her on several occasions. During our time in Washington, we were also blessed with incredible weather. Washingtonians know that late May and early to mid-June is usually dreary as everyone prepares themselves for the glorious three months of July, August, and September. Somehow, the only real gloomy days we experienced were the first day we arrived and the day we departed to return to Rwanda. I wish I could fully describe the wonderful fullness of our time in Washington that included visits by Rachael's Grandfather "Poppa"and aunt "Tia" and cousin Kate, all coming from Colorado. We were able to see our dear friends Liam and Carolyn Murphy, up from Santa Barbara. We took a trip down to Oregon to see Quinn and Katy Burke, Terry and Ellen Yarbrough, Andrea Tang, and Sophia Maletz. The travels also took us to the Olympic Peninsula, Olympic National Park (Hurricane Ridge) for a Fathers' Day getaway with the Fujiwaras (sans Graham, we miss you).
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| With the Murphys |
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| Port Angeles with the family |
We have arrived safely back in Rwanda now and had a weekend to get readjusted to the time difference. (Garrett is now bracing for the email backlog that awaits Monday morning.) However, we feel overwhelmingly blessed for each and every moment of the past couple months. Since it has been a while since the last post, the big news is that Rachael is pregnant! We are having a little boy and we're so excited. Lots of changes ahead though. Rachael will only back in Rwanda for six weeks before heading back to the states before the delivery. She is leaving a little earlier as we were told that she could not fly past 30 weeks of gestation. Garrett will travel home a week before the expected due date of October 4th. Please be praying for us. We have so much to be thankful for, but the next few months (and years following that) will be so full and busy. Several visitors will be coming in July for HOPE and there are still many logistics that need to be sorted out. Though it all, we know that the Lord is good and He is with us. We have seen an great outpouring of His love and hope that spills over to those we encounter.
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| Yep, that's the bump |
Romans 8:28
