Returning Home...

 Last Tuesday, June 29th, we packed up our bags and prepared for our evening flight from Nairobi, Kenya to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  We had an extraordinary experience in Kenya just as we had in Ukraine!  We consistently experienced the love and power of God moving through every day and every opportunity for His glory!   So, heading off to Ethiopia to finish this mission trip had us leaning forward, filled with excitement and expectation!  But as we prepared to leave the house, we heard that the airlines would not now accept passengers on Ethiopian flights who had not already secured Ethiopian Visas, which we usually purchase in the airport when we arrive... so we tried doing it online which was locked down and even drove to the Ethiopian Embassy to do it in person before our flight.  But unbeknownst to us, 3 days earlier, the government had canceled all Visa requests.   Right now there is Civil War in Ethiopia and that day the rebels in the North had just captured one of its largest Cities. They are also in the midst of Presidential elections which are hotly contested and violent!  All flights were restricted or canceled both in and out of the Country.  We asked if there was any possibility to get in, and the answer was none!  I was immediately reminded of Acts 16:6,7...our final answer to every question is always the Will of God, once that is clear - nothing else matters!   Of course we were disappointed and so were our dear friends there because we love each other and we felt like there were many things we had hoped to accomplish during our time together...but God had gone before us and that very day we were able to get a refund for our Ethiopian tickets and secure very economical tickets for our return home!    So, on June 30th, we left our dear friend Enos Mutoka and his family in Kenya and started the long journey home.   How could we ever thank God for all that He has done on this journey through Ukraine and Africa!? We were startled day by day by His love, mercy and power!  But wherever we went and throughout all that we experienced, we realized that we're just part of the larger team God had assembled for this amazing journey- those back in the US who were praying daily, fasting and giving- often sacrificially, and all those who partnered with us along the way...  Our first trip in over a year during this life changing pandemic was just the beginning.  We still have assignments God has given us in Israel, Russia, Bolivia, Ukraine as well as unfinished business in our beloved Ethiopia. By God's grace, we will all be faithful to everything He has given us to do... and always for His glory!