Nairobi Bound

Erica and Ava departed for Kenya this evening from Halifax.

Since August, we have had such a rich time connecting with friends and supporters of Canadian Baptist Ministries work in Africa. It has not been easy being so far from our daughter Emma. The uncertainty around the Kenyan election has been a challenge as well. We are grateful for the peace of knowing that we can trust a God of perfect love. 

Tonight, Erica and Ava left for Kenya. They will touch down in London for a few hours and then on to Nairobi, where they are excited to be reunited with Emma. 

As an International American school, Rosslyn celebrates the American Thanksgiving holiday. This will give Erica and Ava a few extra days to get over jetlag before Ava jumps back into school with her friends.

Erica saying goodbye to TK.

It felt very weird for Tristan and I (Aaron) to be left waving at the Halifax airport as the girls disappeared to their gate. Unlike our previous home assignments, we had to plan this longer Canadian itinerary in stages. As Erica returns to Nairobi to settle Ava back into school and wrap up year-end programming responsibilities, I will complete the final four weeks of speaking before travelling back with Tristan once he finishes his University exams.

We are all looking forward to celebrating Christmas together in Nairobi.

Ava very proud of her completed birdhouse project

The Harbour House feels very quiet tonight as Tristan and I stoke the wood stove and get ready for bed. Ava's singing, cartwheeling, and dancing, no longer reverberate throughout the house. Her little adding machine and play store also remain silent. In her absence, she has left us little stacks of home-made money, a handmade birdhouse, a wooden unicorn toy, and lots of heartfelt notes. 

Looking back, these past weeks have been a wonderful time of reconnecting with life and friendships in Eastern Canada. The salt air, crisp mornings, and lingering sunsets have been so wonderful. Earlier in the week, Ava even experienced flurries and made her first snowballs... which she promptly threw at her dad. 

Along with the beauty and fun of living in Nova Scotia, we also have been blessed to visits with churches from O'leary, Prince Edward Island, to Fredericton, New Brunswick. This past Sunday, we had the pleasure of worshipping with the Middleton Baptist Church, Nova Scotia.

This coming weekend, Aaron will be in Dartmouth at Bethel Baptist Church at 6:00 pm on Saturday, November 25, and at Stevens Road Baptist at 10:00 am on Sunday morning.

For all that God has blessed us with, we say, "Thank you!"