Bittersweet

Today is a bittersweet day. Josh and Kelly have been working for over a year to raise funding for a two year missions opportunity with OneHope, in South Africa. Over the past 18 months we prayed for them, advised them, helped them and now the time has come for them to leave. Today, in fact, is their final day in St. Louis. Friday and Saturday, Kathy and I helped Josh and Kelly pack up and move out of their apartment. There was a very emotional finality about vacuuming the last bit of carpet, carrying out the last box and closing the door.

We are so excited about this opportunity for them. We wouldn't want them to stay home for anything. I think they were both created by God to be missionaries, and He put them together. I know they will miss home, and their families, but Kathy and I also know the call of God on our hearts, and Josh and Kelly are following that call. We are so proud of them and know that God has great plans for them as they train and facilitate teams of young people in this strategic African country. I think, deep down, we also know that they will probably do this for a career.

Later today they'll drive away, on the first leg of their trip to Florida for some final training and then on to South Africa. My tears have already started to flow as I write this blog. Sometimes it's hard follow God's leading, but from our experience, we wouldn't have it any other way.