The feeling remains that God is on the journey, too.
Saint Teresa of Avila
In 2004, after eagerly anticipating a new accommodation at
Highfield Oval, I moved into my wonderful home in Building 7. Little would I
have imagined how many friends would enter the doors of that house from so many
different nations over the last 9 years. And now it is time to move on to a new
home down the road.
Tomorrow a few friends and myself will load up my furniture and
a huge chapter in my life will be transitioning to start a new chapter in
Luton. The house is being worked on so we aren’t quite ready to move in, but
tomorrow is a big step of closing out my home at the Oval.
As I have been anticipating this next season, I have been
reminiscing about all the special times, I have had at Highfield Oval. I first
visited the Oval in 1994 to attend a UofN event where I first heard Lynn talk
about his plans for the RW and where I went and talked to him about what I had
been doing with my DTS from Lausanne, Switzerland. I eagerly told him that I
wanted to be involved and the rest is now history. My next visits to the Oval
would come as we began to plan the RW and then during the RW, as I flew in to
meet with Lynn and the team. The beauty of the Oval and the surrounding
countryside would bring rest to a weary soul each time I came. I would walk
along Cooter’s Lane just enjoying the quiet and the beauty of the rolling hills
(and maybe eating wild blackberries) as I prepared to return to the Middle East
and that wonderful world of diversity. But in those years, I never anticipated
living in this beautiful spot, but God had other plans.
So when I first moved to the Oval in 2003, I thought I would
return to Beirut in a year or two, and instead the Oval has been my home for
the last 9 ½ years. I’ve lived in Building 7 and so enjoyed it with all the
changeable conditions of a transient community. In my first year at the Oval, my
niece Meghan and her brother Adam both worked at the Oval, and I had such an
incredible time being able to have part of my family close at hand. And then a couple
years later, Meghan and Victor were married at the Oval since our whole family
had fallen in love with England.
I’ve seen old friends
leave and new ones arrive, and so there are so many stories to cherish. I can’t
help but remember all the late night discussions of students’ dreams and
outreach plans, theology, politics, future dreams, prayers for seeing the world
impacted by God’s love, the planning of new schools and new adventures, the
drumming, dancing and singing praising God (my neighbors heard this too)….and
the eating of a lot of meals around a table that can hold a few or many.
Here are a few snapshots of life over the last few years...randomly chosen and arranged!!! Enjoy the journey of life..even the bumps have so much to teach us! Thank you all for helping me move along through life!
How awesome is our God...as one door closes and you look with some degree of sadness to this closing chapter, another one is opening and new friendships, new experiences and new manifestations of God's endless love, mercy and power await you.
ReplyDeleteWe are ready to help make your transition as easy and gentle as possible, welcoming you into our lives...and jumping for joy as you are a gift sent straight from our Father.
How blessed we are that you are coming to us! And the Oval is only 10 minutes away, my favourite cafe is there so what better excuse for the two of us to grab a coffee once in a while?
Love, hugs and prayers
Katja x
Words can not express how delighted I am Katja and thank you so much..Will enjoy the coffee and the cleaning together.
DeleteI loved reading this! Im inspired by you Cathy. I sure love your couch, compassion and food! Even more I think it's who you are and what you carry and that doesnt change no matter where you live, so I look forward to visiting you in Luton :)
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! Thanks so much Meinhard.
DeleteTakes my breath away. So grateful for the memories and the lasting friendships. Wish I could be there to help with the move. Will be thinking of you all through the day and looking forward to our next visit.
ReplyDeleteLove you dear family...couldn't do this without you all!
DeleteAs i read through this and also having a look at this pictures my eyes were filled with tears of joy because i can connect with this story mumcy. i am very thankful to God for the blessings that you are in my life and that of many others.. I am so looking forward to joining the team in January...May God continue to bless the works of your hand and the ministry
ReplyDeleteLots of Love..
Sodangi
I loved reading this and my eyes filled with tears too! You are right in the center of God's will, what an incredible place to be. So exciting that you are moving to Luton. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteRegina