Furlough

November 16th we were finally going on furlough! Everyone was excited. Everyone was ready. We had talks in the days prior (thanks to a tip from another missionary) about what it would be like going through airports, wearing masks all the time, how to act on an airplane. We talked about listening right away and not being too noisy. 

Travelling went really well. Our first flight was over an hour late but they held the next plane till we arrived since quite a few of the people on our flight were on the next one as well. After we were in the air they moved us to the back of the plane so we had more room. We were astonished to realize there were only 50 people on that huge plane! It was lovely! We stretched out across seats to sleep and didn't have to worry about the children bothering other people around us because there were almost none.

As nice as it all was, it was still a long flight and I arrived still convinced flying is not my favorite part of travelling!

And then there we were! As we flew in towards New York City and marveled at the lights, I could hardly believe we were actually here. I was concerned about the health screening since I had a cough ever since being sick several weeks before. But they collected the forms we had filled out and told us they would contact us if there were any issues. And then we were out in the crisp air and my parents and sister were waiting for us.

The first week we struggled with time change and jet lag. Even though we were on furlough the shop work continued for Kenny.

One thing I never tired of was the open spaces. We had rented a lovely, little guest house that was on a farm and the children loved waking up to horses and cows across the drive way. It was just so restful and quiet. No music. No people walking by having loud conversations in a foreign language. No neighborhood dog choruses at bed time.

And having our own space to come back to and regroup was essential! We didn't spend a lot of time there during the day, but it was nice to have quiet mornings with just our family.

  We were home in time for Thanksgiving turkey butchering with my family. We didn't help every day but we were in and out as time and energy allowed. My parents moved off the home farm and my brother and family took over while we were in Ghana so it was strange and yet so familiar coming to my childhood home. I think being gone made both Kenny and I relive many memories of days gone by. I smiled at how often we talked about childhood memories while we drove.

We only spent one day in Perry Co where we lived before moving to Ghana and it was our last Friday in the US. I wish we would have done it earlier in our stay. We went to see our old place and when we drove in the road Kelsey said, Now we are home! And there was a feeling of 'now we are in our hometown' that day as we visited our favorite spots. Thankfully enough of things changed at our old house that I didn't feel any twinge of regret as we drove away. Just many treasured memories.

We enjoyed some things other people might rate as ordinary but our children enjoyed immensely. Like a car wash late one night. The first week we were back we were in Wal Mart. There was a long socially distanced line and our children were tired of shopping. As Brent stood beside me in line he said loudly, "I hate this big market!" And then on the way out a man was bringing carts in with a motorized cart pusher and our children were fascinated. I did wonder what people around us thought if they would have been observing us the entire time! It was hard to walk through grocery aisles and not buy one of almost everything! I struggled on focusing every time I went shopping. There are just too many options of things that aren't usually options for me!

Kenny kept his one tractor and I am not sure who was happiest to visit it, him or his boys! Brent wasn't too sure about it but he did enjoy his ride.

We enjoyed a little bit of snow. I just love sitting in a cozy house watching snow fall!

I was hoping this trip would bring peace and clarity to me about where we are in our lives and where we are supposed to go next. And it didn't. Being with friends and family refreshed us and we made many memories that we will treasure till we see everyone again. But it was also confusing! I looked forward to going back and fitting in. And yet I felt like I stuck out. I saw that the grass is always greener when looked at from across the ocean. Only now is my mind beginning to wrap around all the emotions and feelings. I think I expected too much out of furlough. And yet it was more than I could have dreamed of.

The small house was our home for the month. If you ever need a rental house in Lancaster/Lebanon area, I highly recommend this place!

 And then it was time to go home! Three other couples flew with us. Burnell and Lisa finally got to move after Covid delayed their plans. Laverne and Sherri are here 6 weeks to help them. Zac and Jen came for two and a half weeks to help with the preaching schedule and in any other way they could help us out. So, including children we had a group of 17 people travelling together. First we all needed negative PCR Covid tests within 72 hours of flying. My hopes were not too high of everyone having negative tests. Kenny had gotten sick two weeks before and both of us had lost our sense of taste and smell to some degree. I was sick almost the whole time we were there to one extent or the other. 

  But Wednesday morning we all got our results and all 17 were negative! We felt like we had experienced a miracle! Because of the impending snow storm we left early for the airport and made it there in record time. We were too early to check in but the security guards directed us to a quiet area and we stacked up our totes and waited the four hours till check in started.

We had quite a pile of stuff and were relieved when they came and escorted us to a special counter to check all our things in. And we were also happy when they offered to check our carry ons for free because the flight was full. Less things for us to drag around and we still had our essentials in our back packs.

  Then we moved to our gate to wait some more. It was snowing and blowing and I think we were all wondering if we were going to be spending the night in this airport. But right on time we began to board. And then we waited. And waited. Sometime in our waiting they made an announcement and although the pilot was very hard to understand I caught the words, due to the snow storm they are not loading luggage. I thought surely I heard wrong! And didn't mention it to the others. After three hours of waiting we finally took off. Our flight was safe and uneventful.

We had a short layover in Togo. The other plane was waiting for us and they hurried us through security. Kenny and I waited to make sure everyone makes it through security while the first ones through went to find our gate. It didn't take very long to find out we had a problem. They had overbooked the flight and Zac and Jen weren't going to be allowed to go. We offered every solution we could think of, like holding the smaller children, but they said no way. So our family stayed with Zacs and the rest flew to Accra.

  We were prepared for a long night in the airport, but found out quickly that wasn't allowed. We didn't need to get Covid tests to get out but we needed to fill out their online forms for each person. It took a long time! And then through immigration and finally we were on our way to a motel. The motel was nice enough except for the large rat that ran across the dining room as we ate our supper. The next morning we were served breakfast and then shuttled back to the airport. We had to get tickets. And then needed to go through immigration again. Our children got good at making their little circle at every waiting place. Although eventually they tired of sitting and wished to run or do something!

And then we were informed we need to fill out those online Covid forms again. And suddenly we were racing the clock, praying we don't miss the flight again. Those complete we were back at immigration again. Then over to the line for security. And then to our gate where everyone was already forming a line to board. After a short flight we were in Accra! But the day wasn't over yet! Another online health form to fill out. Confirm payment for the Covid test. Get our noses swabbed. Go through health screening. Go through immigration. And out to the baggage carousels, which of course didn't have any baggage since they truly had loaded no luggage on our plane when we left JFK. So the men went and filed a missing bags claim. Then we needed to go through the gut wrenching process of finding out our Covid results. I was quite sure if one of our tests came back positive, it would be the last straw that broke Marissa for the day! But God was taking care of us and at last we were out of the airport! It was so good to feel the Ghana air. The noise, the smell, it was good to be HOME! We needed to wait for our ride and the men walked down to Burger King for some food for their hungry families. As we watched the sun go down in that airport parking lot I thanked God that we were back safely! A day late, but safe! No bags, but negative Covid tests for our entire group, twice!

  On Sunday some of our luggage came. But our totes and ice chests were still missing. It went until Thursday, Christmas Eve, till they came. But God gave us the best Christmas gift we could have hoped for. Our ice chests that we had packed eight days before, that we had given up hope on, all arrived and all of them were still ok. The meat was thawed but cold to the touch. How we marveled (and are still marveling). All the childrens' Christmas gifts came too and even my candles and few Christmas decorations. So after feeling blue in the morning, we went to bed rejoicing, humbled and grateful!! The next morning the missionaries came to our house for brunch and we all rejoiced together. We were still missing several totes but all the perishable things had arrived. I have a sign in my kitchen that says, "God's timing is always perfect." Someone asked me if I don't believe my sign.😊

   How quick to forget the blessings God has given us and feel down about our trials. I felt a little like the Children of Isreal. So quick to forget God's protective hand through the Red Sea of Covid testing and long for the beef and cheese of Egypt (or America, I think I am getting my metaphors mixed but hopefully you get the picture!)

  Since then as I talk to people and message with people, they often comment on our totes and what a miracle it is that the meat was still good. And I told Kenny, if we would have arrived with our luggage like normal, I am sure people would have joined us in thanking God for our safety, but this way, look at how God is glorified! 

  I hope the next time I face a trial, I can remember this time. This time of feeling God near and knowing He cares about the details like an ice chest of meat. 

  (The rest of our totes arrived the following Tuesday and now everything is hear safe and sound!)