A ridiculously crazy story - by Rachel

I read this a few days ago, about Jesus' disciples who, after he died, were "invited to breakfast on a beach after facing deep grief and disrupted hopes":  Jesus told them that "what they feared was the end was really a new beginning."  (From Returning Well by Melissa Chaplin)

When it became clear several weeks ago that our time on the Africa Mercy was rapidly coming to an end, that this was not our plan and that we had no idea what the future held.... it definitely felt like The End, like deep grief, and like disrupted hopes.  We knew that this bend in the road came as no surprise to God but the disappointment, confusion, pain and grief were real.  They still are.

But in the midst of it all we have been so aware of God's presence with us, taking care of us, attending to our needs and sorting out the details. 
And he's done it through.... people. 
Many of you have given to us with ridiculous generosity, making it possible for us to pay for our flights, purchase a vehicle, and move into a rental house.  
Kevin has been well cared for both in the UK and back in our home town in Washington - with lamb dinners, bacon-wrapped dates, free mattresses, visits from friends, and much more.  
Wonderful and supportive friends are taking care of the kids and me on the ship. 

And here's a CRAZY story that for me sums up the extravagant love of God expressed to me through wonderful human beings: 

Soon after Kevin first went to the UK in October, before we even know we would soon need to figure out how to get our stuff back to the US, I 'happened' to see on Facebook that a team of people from our small town in Washington State were coming to Cameroon to help set up a health clinic in a village called Bawa.  (You can read more about this amazing initiative here.)  

Wait - WHAT???  What are the odds of that?  

But, not only were they coming from our small town to Cameroon of all places, they would also be flying in and out of Douala airport which is a 15-minute drive from the ship, and they would also be bringing suitcases loaded with supplies for the health clinic, thus leaving Cameroon with... you guessed it, empty suitcases. And this would all be happening in the 6-week window between us deciding to leave, and actually leaving the ship.   

So on Saturday two gutsy, adventurous and compassionate ladies from Ellensburg traveled all day from Bawa to Douala, got stuck in traffic, made it on board the ship by the skin of their teeth for a quick shower and a bite to eat, and then flew out that night with not one, not two, not even three, but four suitcases packed to the hilt with our belongings, that they are taking right to our home town.  

God is in control, and He is taking care of us.
We "know" that, of course we do... but it's pretty special when He demonstrates that to us in such a specific and ridiculously unlikely way.

As well as this being the End of something, it is also a Beginning.  Of what, we're not sure yet, but we're going to find out.