Saying Goodbye

Below is a post from Tim. He wrote it last week, but lets just say blogging hasn't been on the top of my priority list in the midst of a big move and getting settled back in! It really has been an amazing journey together as we spent 11 of our first 15 months of marriage on this adventure together.  I'd be lying if I said I didn't have tears in my eyes this morning as we went our separate ways.

The time we had together and learning to work through challenges wasn't easy, but I know it has built a foundation for our lives together. Tim was completely on board with moving to Haiti, but it was more "my" thing". It was through my job and a perfect next step to the work I love and have been investing in for many years.  It wasn't that he wasn't all for orphan care, adoption and running a guesthouse in another country! But it was an area that he hadn't necessarily delved into as deeply as I had and it was a big step of faith to lead our brand new family of 2 to a third world country. It was amazing to see God open His eyes to the needs of orphans in a new way and experience a new culture, language and way of life.  These experiences have taught us so much and grown us individually and as a couple and we are praying that God would show us how to respond and now build our lives together in a way that can best serve others.

I can't count the ways that He served and blessed others in our time there. Simply the fact that he drove around on the crazy, bumpy, hectic roads was a MAJOR help to me. Many evenings he was at the sink washing dishes. Other times working hard to arrange car repairs, coordinate translators & drivers, playing with children at an orphanage, helping with projects, etc...He quietly served not waiting for any praise from others. He never wanted to be the one swooping in to save the day, but preferred to serve quietly in ways that were unseen.  He put up with A LOT of crazy ideas, silliness & emotions from me and was there when I felt overwhelmed or homesick but also to laugh and have fun. I'm humbled by the opportunity to serve alongside him and see his heart for Jesus. It was so evident to me in certain moments when I saw his heart for the older children, his tenderness with the little ones and his compassion towards the people on the street & the children who have special needs. 

Through all of the ups & downs, sweat, deet, stress, joys, sunshine, beauty, sadness, adventures, laughter, mistakes and everything in between, there is no one else I would have wanted by my side.

As I mentioned...this is Tim's post. I guess my intro got a little long :)  Photos courtesy of Instagraimee. (aka spy wife)

Tim's post...

This week we said goodbye to many little friends at an orphanage that Aimee and I have worked with this year in Haiti.  Quite frankly I had to hold back tears, as I held and played with some of the most awesome children in Haiti.  I thought to myself, “how can it be that this many children are either without moms and dads, or are at least unable to live with the family they do have? As I scanned the numerous children flooding the hallway of the orphanage, I became overwhelmed with sorrow on behalf of these lonely and abandoned children.  Some appeared so overwhelmingly desperate for attention, while others played or sat quietly in their own little space.  Another child appeared overtly sad about his wait to be with his parents.  Still, hope seems so far from him - much like a horizon does to the beach-vacationer, gazing out into the wild blue ocean.  As tears ran down the face of this kid, I knew he must think his parents are never coming for him.  But soon.  Soon, he will be brought into a family that is eagerly awaiting his arrival into their arms.

As I sat upon the dirty, sticky, and well-worn floor of the orphanage, I began to think about the seemingly long-wait to be with our adoptive Father, Jesus Christ.  Once again my mind began to make the connection between the gospel and earthly family adoption.  Often, I must admit, that I simply doubt that my Father loves me as much as He says he does.  I find myself questioning the reality that I am an adopted Son. Some days it simply does not feel like I am a part of the family of God.  It feels more like I am an orphan sometimes, as if I have been left to my own devices to navigate through the complexities of life.  But that is a lie.  One of Satan’s many goals is for the Christian to doubt the love of God, to believe they are on their own and without a Father - often leading them to discouragement or perhaps anger.  

In times like these, we (Christians) must remind ourselves that we have been bought with a price.  We must counsel ourselves that before the foundations of the world, God knew and purposed that we would be His children.  So while it may not feel true sometimes, and in fact life may seem so lonely, complex, and indeed infuriating — God is not unaware.  He is coming to the rescue.  He will complete the adoption process that He started before he began the world in which we live.  It was a very expensive process:  It cost Him his only Son, with whom he had spent eternity with in perfect holiness, love, and unity.  Very soon, though, the day is coming when He will take his children home with him, capitalizing on the ultimate and cosmic “gotcha” day.  

I am reminded of these words by the Apostle Paul — (Romans 8:15-17, ESV)

“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”