Leaving Kenya, for good.

Hi Everyone, We are back in Kenya, barely. We've made it to a friends house in Nairobi last night. And today we collect our van, get groceries, and drive the last hour to our house at RVA. Our time at Alongside helped bring clarity to what my family needs. Stability and security. We have both at RVA but not enough, we need over flowing amounts of sameness in our lives. Never ever thought I would say that. Sameness, sounds boring. We could do with some boring for a while. Missionary communities like the boarding school we live at, have 30% turn over in staffing and students every year. We say good-bye to 1/3 of our friends, every year. It's too much for a family already with a history of tremendous loss. RVA has been great for us, but not the best place for us. We came back to Kenya, to leave. I've decided to settle my family in Zeeland Michigan, permanently. Our hearts are broken about another transition, about leaving for the last time as we know it. It's bittersweet. At RVA, we will finish this term (semester) of work and school, build a crate and fill it with what we can't let go of. Ryan's motorcycle, the kid's blankets since they were toddlers, a foot locker of legos, my framed pictures of Kenya, will be shipped in the crate to our house in Zeeland. Thank God, we have a house in Zeeland, already set up and waiting for us. Thank God we have Zeeland Christian School with classmates that remember the Williams as fun kids and friends. Thank God we have family that understand that we are losing Kenya to gain the stability and security of living near them. During Christmas break, we are visiting and saying good-bye to our favorite Kenyan places. And getting on those big airplanes, to leave one home to choose our other home. But the adventures for the Williams family are far from over! How could they be with this bunch who are wired with wandering hearts and wanderlust in our eyes. I completed a 2 year term as a school nurse at Rift Valley Academy. From January through April of 2014, we will be receiving AIM support for Home Assignment (furlough). I don't know what will happen on May 1. If you are one of our monthly supporters, please continue to send in your pledge through the month of April. I will let you know if you can stop supporting us, if God leads me to be in-active with AIM. If you send in support at the end of the year, it's up to you. We have one-time financial needs for our return airfare in December, shipping this crate from Kenya to the USA, and staying on health insurance through April. I would use your gift wisely if you contribute this year. And if you don't, enjoy finding another missionary to support. I know when I decide to give a one time gift to a ministry, it brings me joy. Jet lag is catching up with me, so that is more then enough news to digest for now. May God be with you, always. Dawn, Caleb, Levi, Seth, and Chloe Marie Williams

Prayer Letter August 2013

Good Afternoon! My computer crashed at Christmas and I lost a lot of data for sending out updates. Sorry you have not heard from us in a while. Updates on all of us: Dawn-loves her work as a school nurse. After 1-½ years, I feel more confident in my skills, more comfortable with immunization records, and more content in getting to know students that come in. Caleb is a 5th grader! He is responsible, resourceful, and reasonable. Sometimes with too much reasoning as he pleads his case after I say ‘no!’ He is a joy to see as he grows into a Man-Child. Levi is a 4th grader! He is passionate, purposeful, and precocious. He transitions from excited to serious in moments. Whatever he is feeling, he is feeling it deeply. Seth is 2nd grader! He is sensitive, silly, and simple. He likes hot dogs and mangoes, science and math, Noah and ripsters. He knows his own mind while remaining teachable. Chloe is a big 1st grader. Chloe is friendly, funny, and a follower. She has many friends calling her for play dates and yet she prefers to stay home with mama. She is a tom-boy, no dresses, but likes her hair braided long and wants a pirates birthday party. We continue to live, attend school, and work at Rift Valley Academy. The transition to another school, another home, and mom working full-time is intense. We are trying so very hard to thrive. Not just survive. We wish we could take the best of America and the best of Kenya and combine it into one life. Caleb would like a bridge from Kenya to MI so we could go back and forth more often. My kids are old enough to experience emotions connected with being Third Culture Kids (TCK’s). No place feels completely like home. And they need to work through how to be content with God’s will for our family. I’ve worried about my lack of communication with you. Would it affect your support and prayers for us? Or would God fill you with peace to have faith in my ministry? God’s blessed me with over 12 years of full time missions. I hope I’ve built your trust in me to keep doing what God wills. We’ve remained fully supported, God is indeed good. Rift Valley Academy is a boarding school for missionary kids run by Africa Inland Mission. It’s over 100 years old and rated as the second best school in Africa. We have graduates becoming missionaries, moving all over the world, even attending Ivy League schools. The community on campus is peaceful, safe, exciting, and challenging. The staff and the students care about each other. It’s amazing. If you are ever in the area, come and visit. I could proof read this to many times and never send get it sent! So here it goes into your mailbox. May you be deeply blessed by our Lord and Savior. Dawn Williams

Snaps of the last 6 months

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