“Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8
The above verse is the verse God pointed out to me to start off 2021. May you also be encouraged to lift up your soul/burdens to Him.
IMPORTANT DATES TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR:
While I desperately wish I could say goodbye in-person to each and every one of you, sadly due to time constraints and COVID regulations, that is not possible. But here are some virtual options that I hope you will “join” me for:
- My home church (Farmington Ave Baptist) is hosting a send-off service on Sunday, January 31st at 10am. This service will be live-streamed on the church’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FABCWestHartford
- I’ll be hosting 3 identical ZOOM “Goodbye Parties”: February 1, 2, and 4. Each will be from 8:00pm-8:30pm. Hope you can join for one of them. This is a chance for you to ask questions and say Hasta Luego (“see you later”). Contact me for the link.
PACKING UP:
Everything continues to move forward at lighting speed. I fly out of CT on February 15th and will be self-quarantining for the two weeks prior to that to make sure I get a negative COVID test (a Nicaraguan requirement to enter the country). Thus January is becoming jam-packed with divesting of belongings, packing, and lots of goodbyes.
What is it like to pack up your life and prepare to transplant to another country that will become your new home?
Great Question: (a) There are many opposing emotions: excitement for what God has next, but also sorrow over the people and life you leave behind. Learning to savor the time left with family and friends.
(b) There is a lot of stuff to go through: Busy selling and giving stuff away and verifying what I need to bring and what I can buy in Nicaragua. Everything I’m taking needs to fit into several suitcases, so lots of tough choices on which things make the final cut.
Last weekend I was going through a few “Memory Boxes” (bins that hold letters, journals, cards, keepsakes from special events). It was such a blessing to be reminded of all the people and special events God has allowed in my life over the past 38 years. Grateful for all the love these memories represent.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- Packing to be completed and that I can fit all the essentials
- Be able to sell my car
- Be able to complete 2020 taxes before I leave.
- God to prepare housing/vehicle/cell service and other key things for when I arrive in Nicaragua.
- God to prepare the hearts of the Nicaraguans that God is going to put into my path