Celebrating Mother's Day without what makes it special

[Scott Bourland]

May 10^th-13th

    Thursday, while I was out on visitation, Missy called and said that the Bible delivery had been completed. We had to battle just a bit with them because somehow the price of delivery changed between Nairobi and my house, but we worked it out. Yea, good news, and now for the bad news. On the way out the driver crushed one of our brand new security lights we had installed. Over the phone I had to guesstimate the damage and tell them how much to give us. As it turns out it will cost more to replace it than I ask for, but there are limits to what they can do. I was happy that they did something to make it right.

    On Saturday Alfonse came by so we could visit for a bit. I am talking to all the guys that are graduating and trying to get them thinking about the ceremony. I am also talking to them about ordination services that we plan to conduct in July. It is nice to see these guys advancing and Alphonse is one of the strong ones. He called me last week and told me that they had gained two new families, one a family of 7 and the other a family of 5. This week he called and said that they had gained three more people right around 20 years old. I plan on going to Magangani on June 3^rd to see the baptisms and teach on ordination.

    Of course this Sunday was Mother’s Day. When Missy and I were called to come to Kenya in some ways we thought it a blessing that our children were grown and out on their own, and it has been true in a lot of ways. However, we are far away from the people we love the most in this world and that is not easy on days like Mother’s Day. It is tough to celebrate Mother’s day when everyone that makes it important is half way around the world. I know it was a hard day for Missy. It was also our daughter’s birthday and I know Missy would have loved to see her mother to whom she is very close.

    I gave her breakfast in bed and we reminisced about how all the children were born and our different hospital experiences. We had lunch in one of our favorite spots, but I know it wasn’t the same. I love Missy so much. When we were 17 I surrendered to the ministry. We were already engaged and I went to Missy and gave her the chance to get out, in case she did not want to be a preacher’s wife. She promised me that day that she would always be at my side where ever God led us. She has faithfully and cheerfully kept that commitment. She is a great mother and an excellent wife.

Thanks for praying,

Brother Scott