Ohmygosh it's April 26th!

Today's the day! We're leaving the country at 7:55pm. We fly
overnight, spend the day in London and then arrive in Harare early
Friday morning. Please pray for us on our long journey. It's really
happening! We're moving to Africa!!!!! Next post from Zimbabwe... :)

I love you

I'm saying a lot of good-byes these days, and I must admit that the
words "I love you" never get old. Over and over again I'm having these
words whispered into my ear during a hug. It's huge. Over the weekend
I said good-bye to so many people that I love, and it made me so sad
to think of not seeing them for so long. But it's also an incredible
feeling to know that we are going to Zimbabwe with this massive crowd
of people behind us - loving us and supporting us.

I feel very much in love. And I'm just so very excited to meet a whole
new batch of people that I can love and share life with. Not to
replace the ones I have already, but just to keep growing my family. I
am blessed...

Million Dollar Johnny

This afternoon we went to go see Johnny box. He's just taken up the
sport. I think I have an idea of what it must be like to be a mom,
because I felt so proud watching him hit the bag and spar and duck! He
looked so professional - at the young age of 11! I don't think I've
ever been to a boxing club before. I totally felt like I wanted to
jump in the ring and box my little heart out. Being fairly
(completely?) non-athletic, I always wondered if I would "discover" a
sport that I would be amazing at, and within a few short years of
training, be at the olympics. It hasn't happened yet, but I have never
tried boxing. Hmmm...

Speaking of Johnny. The other day we were talking about our LONG plane
ride to Harare. John was saying that he didn't know what he was going
to do for so long. And without hesitation, Johnny said, "you can have
my gameboy." I explained to him that we wouldn't be able to give it
back to him, and he said, "I know." What a sweetie. We love Johnny so
much - man, we're going to miss that kid!

New Uniforms

Looking spiffy in the new beige uniforms... Our moms are so proud.

Easter with Addicts

We spent a lovely Easter weekend with the McAlisters at Hope Acres.
Hope Acres is a 6 month residential recovery centre for men addicted
to alcohol or drugs. I was challenged and blessed by speaking with
many of the men over the course of the weekend.

One conversation in particular struck me. The gentleman was talking
about how impressed he was that John and I are going to Africa, and
said that he would love to do something like that, if he could ever
overcome his addiction. He said, "you know, most people don't beat
their addiction. I know that. I know that most people don't make it.
But the ones that do seem to do something amazing with their lives.
So, I'm just hoping that I'm one of those. I'm hoping I'm one of the
ones who makes it." I was humbled, and just filled with hope for this
man (and for all of the men that we met) that he WOULD make it, and
beat the incredible odds, and have a fullness of life.

Easter Sunday morning, I was blessed by so many of these guys singing
so loudly and exuberantly in church. And I thought, "yep, that's what
Easter's about - new life. Joy that comes from realizing you have new
life."

Oh, and my brother Joel wrote a really moving Good Friday monologue -
it's on his blog if you want to check it out.

Broken plates

My friend Joy told me a great story. She works as a cook in a home for
persons who are developmentally challenged. She said that the other
day, one of the gentlemen was bringing his plate back to the kitchen
and dropped it on the ground; smashing it. He started crying and
berrating himself for being clumsy and stupid and never being good at
anything, always messing up, etc. Joy kept trying to tell him that it
wasn't a big deal, but he kept crying.

So, when he was looking the other way, Joy took the 3 plates that were
in her hand, and smashed them on the ground. The man turned around and
was shocked. She said, "see, it can happen to anyone." His tears
turned into a big smile, and he kept saying, "this happened to you
too, oh that makes me feel so much better, etc." Even the next day he
was telling her what a difference that made to her.

By the way, her boss did come in and ask what was happening with all
the crashing. She took him aside and explained the situation. He told
her she did the right thing and offered her a counselling position.
Postmodern social work - I love it!

theRubicon.org

About a week ago, my friend Geoff and I started up a small online journal called theRubicon.org. Rochelle's got an article on the site today on Human Trafficking, so you might want to check it out.

We're ACTUALLY going!

We got our visas to go to Zimbabwe! WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO AFRICA!!!!!!!!!!
I am so happy that things have finally been worked out, and we're so
excited about going. For months I've been trying to imagine how we'd
find out the news. I never imagined that it would be the way we did (a
message under our room door in the Dominican Republic!)

Yep - we just came back from a
spur-of-the-moment-last-minute-got-our-tax-return-we're-so-stressed
trip to the Dominican Republic. It was great - lots of relaxing,
sunburning (ouch!), snorkelling (it's awesome - you feel like you're
right in an aquarium), horseback riding, eating, etc. A much needed
chance to get away and renew and recharge.

And now we're getting ready to move to Africa! Yay! Flights haven't
been booked yet, but it looks like April 26th will be our departure
date. After months of waiting, it seems awfully soon... :)

"I'm a Dad"

My friends John and Lynne had a baby recently. I saw John for the
first time since the birth last night at choir. I said
"congratulations!!!" and he was beaming! BEAMING! It was so beautiful
- big smile, two thumbs up and he just kept repeating, "I'm a Dad! I'm
a Dad!" Kind of makes you want to have a baby, eh? :)