TRAVELING TRIALS

If you’ve been reading our blogs for the past couple of months you know that we have been traveling a lot. Our most recent trip took us up to Maine. Our travels have mostly been driving trips lately. It began with our trip across country. Of course, since we were traveling across country with all our possessions, it was not surprising that our little Honda was bursting at the seams with stuff. But would the same be true for a trip to Vermont or a trip to Maine? The answer apparently, is yes. (Photo: family on a lobster boat in ME)

We used to be light travelers. A bag or two was all we needed. Going to Chad originally, we went with two bags each and didn’t even hit the weight limit. What has happened? Why has it become a struggle to fit the stuff we need for a week into the trunk of our car? Have we forgotten how to travel light?

Well, it seems there are a couple of factors. One thing is the weather. Winter means bulkier clothes and more of them. But the main factor is Grace. How is it that such a little person can require so much stuff? A stroller, a car seat, a travel crib, toys, clothes, food, diapers—it all adds up. Yet, all of these things, in our mind are more or less essential. If there are parents out there with tips how to get by with less let us know.

Of course that gets us to thinking about the folks we’ve met in Chad and the ones we will meet on the island. Their kids don’t have all this stuff and somehow they get by. Why can’t we do the same? Of course, it’s not that simple. A lot of it revolves around our culture of safety and health. Car seats are the law here and diapers—cloth or disposable—are necessary for good health and sanitation (something our Chadian friends were less concerned about). Of course, all these things cost money, which may or may not be available to a family in Africa even if they may want them.

As we think about traveling again soon, we struggle to know what to leave and what to bring. We spend our whole lives acquiring things, using things up and giving things away. It’s nice to remember sometimes, that nothing is truly ours. It’s all borrowed stuff—on loan from our Creator.

PRAYERS ANSWERED
We had a wonderful time in Maine and everyone traveled safely to and from their homes. Grace had another checkup. She got lots of shots, but she is doing just fine. We’ve started back up with our French and TESOL learning. We lost some of our documents, but managed to get a lot of the materials back.

PRAYERS REQUESTED
With all our travels Grace’s schedule has been upset. Pray that we will be able to give her some regularity to her schedule in the next couple of weeks. All these months of traveling around have taken a bit of a toll on us. Pray that God would sustain us. At this time we are defining our schedule for the next couple of months. Pray for wisdom and good decisions on our part. (Photo: Megan & Grace on the Rockland breakwater)