We've arrived back in Moz

Just a short note to say we have arrived safe and well in Maputo (only one hour late) and have found it sunny, windy and about 80 degrees. The long flight is starting to get familiar and doesn’t seem quite so long anymore. We had good connections with only 2-3 hour layovers that really helped. For those of you interested, as of September 30, Delta and South African Air no longer have a code share agreement. That means we will have to use our Delta miles on Delta and we came back just in time to get the return miles on SAA credited to Delta. (We found out by reading the small print in the back of the SAA monthly magazine, so maybe it was a long flight!)

In some ways it seems like we haven’t been gone and in other ways it feels like we have been gone a long time. The rooster crowing in the neighborhood sounds normal, yet strange. We are definitely living in the “city” again, blaring radios and all.

At the airport the man that picked us up said there were a couple of Malawians staying at our place. When we arrived we didn’t see anyone or any suitcases and when we called WR they said, “Oh, we didn’t want to put someone in your apt when you were just coming back.” But a little later there was a knock at our door and there was another WR employee with suitcase in hand saying he had been told to stay here for some nights. So, welcome to the guesthouse. If there is an empty bed, you are welcome to sleep in it!

Rachel commented that this last stint at home may be the last time we live with any of our kids for an extended period of time. Joanna was with us for the two months, but is now moving toward Indy. Janelle is now officially engaged to David Phillips, and they are talking about a summer wedding. We are excited about having David in the family.

We want to say a huge thank you to all the people who made our time special back in the US by being supportive in fellowship, travel to and participation in reunions and our open house, and hosting us in your homes or sometimes favorite restaurants. It was a special joy to get caught up on the events in your lives. Even though it may seem pretty everyday to you, we want/need to hear about it to stay connected.