What an awesome couple of weeks! Our family just spent two weeks with the World Missions Seminar with Lynn and Brenda Raburn at Faith Baptist Church in North Little Rock. I will get back to you on our experience, but I wanted to first pay homage to an unexpected blessing we received.
Ben and I were able to attend the second week of this conference last year. However, since our children had already missed a bunch of school for our trip to Kenya, we could not bring them along. We weren't sure what our kids would experience at the seminar. We knew childcare was provided, but I really just thought they would keep an eye on the kids so we could focus and learn. I packed up some homeschool lessons for each of them, said a prayer that they wouldn't get too bored, and hoped for the best...
Oh man! My kids experienced an amazing two weeks like they have never experienced before. I knew the World Missions Seminar put out outstanding quality for us missionary adults, but I had no idea what lengths they would go to for our kids as well!
Meet Holly Hartung. She gave up an opportunity to help serve in Africa so she could be here to serve our missionary kids! God created her with the love, energy, creativity and ability to discipline that was needed to care for our kids. I could not get over all they did each day!!! I'm pretty sure they went and did everything that was on my go-do list for while we are in Arkansas! Here are some of the highlights......
The Old Mill
North Little Rock Fire Department
Painting
The Trolley
We don't have pictures, but they also went to The Maritime Museum (submarine), The Big Dam Bridge, The Witt Stephens Nature Center, The Discovery Museum, went bowling, and visited Heifer International!!! They were also suppose to climb Pinnacle Mountain but the weather wouldn't cooperate. On top of ALL of this, they played games, put on skits, did multiple crafts and completed school work!!!! I am not sure how it all was accomplished, but it made for some memories that will last a lifetime!
Another unexpected blessing that resulted from these weeks, is the friendships my kids made. It was priceless for them to be around peers. Not just kids their own ages (which was very much needed), but kids who understand them. Kids who are going through the same transitions and exceptional childhoods. It did my mama heart good to see our children flourishing in this way.
Unfortunately, with this fun and excitement comes another transition...our children must separate once more...their new friends go back to other states and they are left with each other once again. We look forward to all gathering back together in October for our next Missionary Training Ministry Retreat, but October is a long time away to a child. Please say some prayers for their lonely hearts. Pray that God will bring some other local friends to them, and give us opportunities to cross paths with our new ones. I know this is all part of "The Cost", and part of the preparation for the field, but it doesn't make it easy. We thank God for all of His provision. We are particularly thankful for His servants: Lynn, Brenda and Holly for helping us so tremendously as we follow His Will.
Cared and Beloved, Anne
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above..." -James 1:17a
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