There are many things I have had to endure as a missionary but one of the hardest is spending time apart from Sabet. This season has been a tough one for our family. Sabet has been gone for 3 months now and we all miss him.

When I was offered a ticket to Nairobi to see him I had mixed feelings. Of course I wanted to go but to leave the children and us both be so far away seemed impossible. But just as the Lord provided a way for me to go He also covered all our needs so I could leave in peace.

I have to say it was the strangest experience flying without the children. And arriving in Nairobi was even more odd, as I felt like a visitor to a place that has been a second home to us for 16 years.

All the ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ of whether to go were gone when I saw Sabet’s mum. Yes, she was frail and had lost so much weight but amazingly she was upbeat and in good spirits. It was a special time for the two of us to hug and cry and love on each other. The kids each wrote her a special note and she in return recorded a blessing to them.

The first week was busy packing up the mission house and sending everything to South Sudan. Sabet’s mum flew back to Tonj after a few days and then we were able to get some quality time together.

The second week went so fast! I have to say I have not missed running out of water, power outages, slow internet and crazy traffic!

Saying goodbye was bittersweet. I don’t know when Sabet and I will be together again.  Getting home to our precious children was the only thing that lifted my heart.

A BIG thank you to the lovely ladies, Mum, Theresa, Kym and Rosa, who stepped in and were ‘mum’ to Hannah, Agum and Jed. Thanking the Lord for them and the body of Christ that continues to help us navigate through this valley.