Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.  It is Tuesday, May 10, we have found Connie’s favorite spot in any terminal, a place in the sun where she can be warmed.  It’s hard to believe that 8 weeks of our lives have flown past at speeds that even make this pilot’s head dizzy, and we now find ourselves waiting for Delta Flight 167, that will launch us back to our home and family in the Asia-Pacific.

It has been an incredible 8 weeks, where we have touched and been touched by the lives of people in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and throughout the beautiful Canadian cities of Vancouver, Penticton, Nanaimo, and Victoria.  New friends have been made and we have found once again that no matter where we travel, we find family in Christ!

As we flew from Boise to Seattle this morning, we reminisced at how many times we have packed our action packers with supplies and equipment, walked into terminals, sat at gates, and watched the monitors for the silent reminder that we were minutes away from yet another chapter in our lives.

This morning though, the fatigue of the weeks and the emotion of yet another departure, this time leaving our first Granddaughter behind, took its toll.  As I write, I assume the role that I so eagerly and passionately accepted nearly 28 years ago, that of keeping watch over the love of my life, the friend of my youth, and my forever ministry partner.  Who could have imagined when at the age of 9, rowing her around the ranch pond in my little wooden rowboat, that that would just be the beginning of many such journeys across much larger ponds.  But why???

My ministry partner and brother Sam Tamayo, reminded me of why this past week when he posted 2 Chronicles 7:14  “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

We have a story to tell… a message to share… that there is a living God!  A God who loves us beyond measure, a God who loves us unconditionally.  A God who sent his Son, that even while we were enemies of Him, He died for us!  (Romans 5:10.) A God who is capable of bringing peace, reconciliation, and healing if we will, Humble ourselves, Pray, Seek His face and Turn from our wicked ways.  In the midst of a world without peace, this is the message we must proclaim!

And so…the journey begins once again WITH PURPOSE!  Even as Connie shared, through the tears of leaving baby Noortje behind, we must go.  We must stand in the gap and be messengers, so that other babies, moms and dads, can experience this promised forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing.

Thank you for your continued prayers and partnership with us.  The confidence and trust you have placed in us to be your ambassadors is humbling, a responsibility we don’t take lightly.   May each of us remain faithful and may each of us look for opportunities to live our lives, wherever we are, WITH PURPOSE!