This experience brought to mind my own childhood, growing up as a missionary kid. My parents served in Panama for 7+ years, from when I was in 3rd grade til I graduated from 9th. I remember very well the trips back to the States on furlough, when we visited churches around the U.S. and met strange new people, sat in new Sunday School classrooms each week, and spent hours and hours in travel and stayed at new homes each week. There was always some apprehension as Sundays approached, since we, the kids, were often involved in a special song or some type of presentation.
Mikaela, Toby, and Timothy have been quite amazing through this all. Mikaela is a great helper, and very willing to help with the boys when we arrive on a Sunday morning at a new church. Toby makes friends immediately, and blazes a trail of introduction with everyone he meets! Timothy is just really cute, and attracts a lot of attention, and has been increasingly willing to jump in with both feet when asked to attend children's programs during the service.
This journey will continue to be a challenge for our kids. We know that since God has called us to this adventure, He will be taking charge of our kids and this process. I am glad for that. And I am glad for their roles in this decision of becoming long term missionaries to Peru. What a wonderful experience they are receiving through this fundraising process! Someday, hopefully, they will maybe look back at this time as they guide their own families through a fundraising marathon prior to entering the mission field. As their father, I could not be more proud.
Lowell
