by Nicole Yeomans, General Baptist Missionary to the Philippines and Niger
The girls and I are “home”. Saying the word “home” feels a bit different now, but regardless, we are happy to be back among friends and family that we’ve missed over the last 18 months. Our trip home was not without stress and adventure. I will spare you all the details of our packing episode, but you can fill in the gaps by knowing these few details: I was still trying to reduce the number of bags we had just minutes before leaving for the airport, we were late and I did not have all my logistical ducks in a row, which was glaringly obvious when I found out we had put the extra baggage allowance on Kris’s ticket rather than ours, and rather than the expected 6 bags I thought we would be bringing, we ended up with 2. I had no idea what was in the 2 bags. They were the first on the belts. Thankfully we made it home with several pieces of clothing. Kris, however, was left with a mess of going thru the extra 4 bags, plus his 2, and reducing down to the 80 lbs he was allowed to carry, in addition to everything else he had to wrap up. To keep the adventure going, he hurt his back in the process of trying to weigh one of the bags. We are thankful he is feeling better and look forward to reuniting with him in just a few days.
After being lovingly greeted by friends at the airport, we made our way to Greenville, KY. This first week has been spent trying to catch up on many things: rest, eating strawberries, much-missed family time with grandparents and cousins for the girls, and doctors visits. I am thankful for the ease of good medical care with quick resolution and doctors that love my girls. We also had the privilege of visiting and speaking at Mt. Zion GB church in IN. It was so good to be among friends who have prayed for us throughout our journey and to be able to reconnect with the Weatherfords.
We look forward to seeing many of you at the Summit and as we travel around to some of our churches. It really is a joy and provides a sense of comfort to hear from our partners in ministry and be able to reconnect.
In the meantime…
I have a room that looks like a tornado has hit it. I open the door and peek in when I walk by, knowing that at some point in the very near future, I have to go in and pack the bare essentials into 4 bags weighing no more than 70 lbs each. Bare essentials take on a new meaning when moving to Niger. We are told by other missionaries to bring toiletries, sheets, a good set of knives, clothes and tennis shoes at the very least. That statement sounds doable…but then I remember that there are no uniforms at the girls’ new school, so I need to bring clothes (and shoes) for now, and the next size (or sizes) up. With both girls growing like weeds, this is a scary guessing game for me. No missionaries that we have talked to recommend having things shipped over from the states, so that option is off the table.
I just have to keep moving forward; one day at a time, one task at a time. We are in the middle of this transition time. The end, or maybe better stated, the goal, is within sight. Even as I write this, I’m reminded that our life in Christ is constantly in transition. We are to be always moving forward, always progressing, always striving to become more like Christ. May we be ever willing to be continually molded by our Creator. May I not be so busy to miss the things that He wants to show me along the way.
Until next time…