There are four paper chains hanging in various places throughout our duplex–similar to what you might find around a Christmas tree with the colors of red and green in December. These are not red and green though! They are brown, pink, yellow, blue, purple, and even orange. Each paper chain represents one of our children–and each paper link stands for how many days we have left before we leave for Kenya! Each of our kids has 8 links left on their paper chain. It seems that just yesterday there were 18. The days seem to be passing in a blur! Each morning we hold on tightly for what that day will hold. Since learning on July 9 that we had clearance to return to Kenya on August 9, our days have been filled with:
• shopping like crazy to get all that we will need for the next two years: socks & underclothes; bigger sizes of clothing for the kids; Kool-Aid, pepperoni, chocolate chips, and other goodies for the dorm boys; and getting duffle bags to ship it all in. (“Shopping? Not AGAIN!” say the boys!)
• sorting through all of our worldly possessions to figure out what to sell, what to take to Kenya, and putting a few precious things aside for Grandpa & Grandma’s attic. This wasn’t an easy task for all of our children! All of their toys had to fit into one duffle bag–with a total of 50 pounds.
• having a HUGE garage sale to sell almost everything else that we own. We sold about three quarters of it the first evening of the sale! It was so obvious that God had sent people to our house to buy our stuff. We were amazed at the things people bought!
• pulling the kids out of the school that they have loved here in Jenison, Michigan.
• getting together with as many friends as possible to fellowship & feast!
• drawing up a final will & trust for our kids. It was long overdue but needed to be done before we go to Kenya!
• getting our International Driver’s Licenses to take to Kenya just in case our old Kenyan licenses cannot be renewed.
• trying to maintain some semblance of order in our house for the kids: reading books, playing games, and talking about the changes that will take place in their lives when we get to Kenya (something we’ve been talking about for 3 years–but you can never be too prepared, right?).
• swimming whenever we can in this sweltering Michigan summer heat!
• selling our car in less than 15 minutes on craigslist. We guess it was priced right!
Now, in the next 8 days, we need to:
• squeeze in one more violin lesson and return the violin that Kylea has used for the past year.
• get haircuts before we leave the country (since we don’t know who will be cutting it in Kenya!). This one’s a little easier for the boys!
• pack 19 more bags to no more than 50 pounds each.
• go to the chiropractor one last time. It might be futile as we’ll be doing more heavy lifting in the coming days!
• discontinue trash pick-up, electric, gas, newspaper, and internet/phone services.
• send out a change of address to all the people who send us mail–including utility bills that will come after we are gone!
• cancel automotive and rental insurance.
• appear in court on August 2 for official eviction from our rented/foreclosed duplex. From that date, we will have 10 days to leave the “premises.” How good God is and how perfect is His timing that we will be gone 3 days before that date is up!
• send updated prayer cards out to our many wonderful, faithful prayer warriors and supporters so that they can continue to pray for us!
• complete last minute paper work and send it into Africa Inland Mission.
• write MANY thank you notes (for which we are VERY thankful!)!
• get passports from UPS with Kenyan visas secured.
• print copies of our airline tickets & check in with baggage totals.
• get a trailer to haul our 24 total pieces of luggage to Chicago O’Hare Airport (plus carry-ons for all of us!).
• spend as much time as possible with family and friends who we may not see again for two years.
• make time for the One who has made this all possible for us! We don’t want to squeeze Him out of our days–as pressured as we feel to get it all done.
• say goodbye (or see you later) as best as we can to the many wonderful people who God has brought into our lives. We are SO blessed!
We better get a move on! We’ve got lots to do!
Making the most of our days for they are truly numbered,
Travis, Patti, Kylea, Joshua, Tia, & Levi Nielsen
Discuss this article (5) »
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August 1st, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Blessings on your family as you prepare to do the work God has called you to! You will be in my daily prayers, especially in this final week with much to do, remember, prioritize etc. as well as safety and sanity on the trip. Thank you so much for faithfully updating we who want to be involved in your lives in whatever capacity we are called to.
Hugs to all!!
August 1st, 2010 at 5:45 pm
You will all be totally missed but we are so happy for you and this new journey Christ is taking you on. We have been saying many prayers for you guys and the new adjustments you will have to make and that the kids will transition easily. We love you all lots and we will continue to pray for you and wait to hear you made it okay and for your updates.
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:36 am
The Chapmans have kept us up to date with your progress and preparations to return to Kenya. We are rejoicing that the Lord has supplied the necessary funds and that you soon will be at your new assignment in Kenya. Your children will love it there and we know your ministry will be full of love and care for those in your care. We think of you so very often and will continue to pray for you as your transition back into the life in Africa. We have wonderful memories of you while we were there and will continue to pray that your years there now will be fruitful and full of blessing to you and those you minister to.
August 4th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
We are excited for you in this new (renewed)chapter for your family. We will continue praying for you that God’s protection will be on you and your campus, and that you’ll have many opportunities to share with those lost in and outside the campus. Also praying for immediate that all the packing, and the long list of items above all get done ahead of time so you have a minute or two to catch your breath before your trip. We’ll miss you both and look forward to keeping up with you thru your site and email.
God’s strength.
August 9th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
We missed you Friday morning – Praying for a safe trip! The kids send greetings Keep trusting God – in and for all things!