5 year anniversary

This week (Feb. 1st to be exact) proved to be mine and John's five year anniversary with Back 2 Back ministries. It is a ministry that "provides care for today, hope for tomorrow" with the orphan population in Mexico, Nigeria and India. We served in Mexico the first four years with the ministry and moved one year ago to Jos, Nigeria, where we are currently serving.

It is strange to me how our lives have changed in the past five years. Before we were called by the Lord to serve with this ministry, John worked at Duke University in their construction management team on their medical facilities. We had three children, lived in a beautiful area in NC, Elon. We had the 4 bedroom house, the Volvo station wagon and the Suburban and the fenced in backyard with the playset, mind you, where our happy family of five could be safe and have fun. John and I, at this point, were married 10 years. Gosh! Our kids look back at these years and call them the "learning how to do things years". It is where they learned to ride a bike, how to rollerblade, how to use a toilet, how to tie a shoe, how to be an american kid, etc...

When we moved to Mexico, we literally sold all we had (except what could fit in our little trailer behind our suburban) and followed the Lord's leading. The four Mexico years they call the "learning how to live with lots of people around years". It is where we learned how to live with a community and all that it offers. Friends right outside your door at every moment. Fun interns and visitors always willing to give a hug and to help you with anything. I remember one specific moment when I caught Sami, our youngest, she was probably 4 at the time, asking the head, mexican staff to help her put on her little shoes. It was very precious to me to see this man get on his knee to help this little white girl with her pretty shoes..... Those years were full of family, friends, events and wide open spaces.....

Now, here we are in Nigeria. We are getting ready to celebrate in March our 15 year wedding anniversary. Who would have thought an obedient act five years ago would bring us to this moment. When I was younger I always dreamed of living here. I cannot believe we are doing just that. I have asked my children what they would maybe call this season, they all, without hesitation said, "it is the game playing, family time season." SO, as this next season of ministry unfolds, I think it is a good beginning. I think there could be worse things than "game playing, family time"...... I am excited to see what will unfold. Loving the Lord and following the passions He has given us has been quite a ride. I look forward to all that is in the seasons to come......

P.S. Jason and Emilee surprised us at our last staff meeting and for our anniversary with Back 2 Back they had purchased for us a Hausa/English bible and we absolutely love it! These pictures don't do it any justice. But Hausa is the local language outside of English and it will be so fun to start learning the words of the Bible in Hausa. Thanks Munafos for this precious gift.