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Brian and Gemma are wrapping up their time in the States. On Tuesday, they’ll board their first flight heading back towards us, and we are ever so ready to be in the same country, under the same roof. The past week has thrown some big feelings at us, but in all of it we see God’s goodness.

Sorrow. Brian’s grandfather died peacefully in his home while Brian was in Virginia getting Gemma’s citizenship sorted. Before they left Delaware, just days before he passed, Brian had a chance to sit with and talk to his grandparents. Instead of his last memories being a year old, they are just days old. He also feels blessed to be in Delaware and a part of all the lamenting and rejoicing that will happen this weekend with extended family. Poppop served the Lord and left a wonderful legacy of faithfulness to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Even as we rejoice that he is free of his physical body and its pains, his race run, we mourn our loss.

Joy. We had yet another obstacle to clear earlier this week, but after wise counsel from our loan officer (a fellow Christian) and our parents (experienced home owners), we made some final decisions that ended with the sold sign in the yard of our house!!! We’re so excited to get in and start making it both a home for us and a place of refuge for other missionaries in the region. The closing date is June 29!

Relief. Gemma is officially a US citizen!! Thank you for the many years you have prayed with us for this to happen. It’s such an absolute weight off to know it’s done and that our whole family is operating with one passport country. Whew!!