Tuesday, October 08, 2013
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
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5 comments:
Dawn, can you tell me how to send financial support your way?
Thanks
Greetings Williams family! I'm Heather and I have quick question regarding your blog! Please email me at Lifesabanquet1(at)gmail(dot)com :-)
Dawn it was so nice to meet you this week at the MASN conference. I know God sat you down beside me for a reason. I had to find out more about your story. Thankful to find your blog. Your family and your future are on our prayer list. Much love.
Hi dawn! Our stories are so similar. I wish they weren't! Young widowhood with husbands in ministry, and African adoptions... I am reading your need for stability and nodding. I would love to connect! My email is cmarie_rpi {at} yahoo {Dot} com. Looking forward to it if you have the time :) I understand your kind of busy.
Oh and by I wish our stories weren't similar, I wish neither of us were picked for such a Hard path :) hope that didn't sound weird. :) I'm so sorry for your loss. And for your loss of dear Kenya.
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