Rested, Refreshed and Ready to Go! (Well, maybe . . .)

I had warned in the last post that Ch'airo would be taking a break with the transition from Bolivia back to the USA. But now it is time to begin again.

The last two months have involved a lot of things having to do with transitioning from Bolivia to the States for the next 15 months or so. The first order of business, which we accomplished with flying colors, was to get to know our new grandson Sammy. Gramma was really anxious to get to Indiana to meet, hold, hug and spoil the little guy. Of course Grampa was calm and cool with the whole thing, not the least bit excited or anxious. Hah! It was a great privilege to be able to help his parents dedicate him to the Lord shortly after our arrival in Indiana.

Next was a quick trip to Max, North Dakota to pick up the vehicle that Grace Corporation is leasing us during our deputation ministries. It is a 2004 Dodge Caravan. We are very thankful for the vision of Grace Corporation to help provide missionaries with wheels while on assignment in the States.

Another rather important part of the transition was finding a place to live. After a lot of looking, debating and considering we finally were able to decide upon an apartment in Northgate Village in Marion. While not big enough to hold a whole tribe of Bolivians it is adequate for three Elliott's.

Another not so small happening was the marriage of our daughter Heather to Jeremy Neill in Houston on June 8. So we loaded up the van and we headed to Houston: me, Mark, Niki's mom, Daniel, Naomi and Sammy. We made the trip in three days stopping along the way to visit some friends and to tour the Memphis Zoo.

It was a very special opportunity for me to celebrate the marriage of Heather and Jeremy. I thank God for the good husband and godly man that he has prepared for Heather.

From the wedding we headed west to Tuscan to spend a couple of days with friends from Bolivia and then on up to Colorado Springs for a five day Debriefing and Renewal retreat hosted by Mission Training International. It was a fantastic five days and we are grateful to have had the opportunity.

Now Niki and I are alone in Colorado Springs. Mark flew home by himself to Indiana yesterday and Niki and I have a couple of days together. Tuesday we will be heading to Minneapolis and Duluth, Minnesota where we will have our first official deputation service. FInally we will be arriving back home in Indiana about a month after leaving for the wedding. (Niki will have been gone almost two months, having traveled to Houston several weeks before the wedding to help with preparations.)

As I look back over this time of transition I can see how God has been with us each step of the way, providing what we need and even some extras along the way. As we begin this new round of deputation ministries we are encouraged to know that he will go before us and beside us providing our needs and, hopefully, using us to minister to others along the way.