Wow. I can't believe it's almost time to return home. After weeks, months and over a year of working hard, missing family and enduring hardship, we have just three weeks before flying home to the States.
It's a good feeling I must admit. One filled with mixed emotion for sure. Almost a sweet and sour taste, but as my friend and mentor Dr. Derek once told me, "that's the best flavor."
Things are wrapping up nicely here, and after a year of pushing hard to overhaul the systems here at Wild Hope, things are finally beginning to pay off and show sustained improvement as a result of our work.
Faith and Philemon, our Office Manager and Operations Manager respectively, are taking on our duties with enhanced procedures, a more organized workspace and a fresh perspective on office and organization management.
In truth, we couldn't be happier. We feel like through it all we have been faithful and obedient to what God has called us to, not in every minute daily detail, but in the grand scheme of things - we came, we loved, we gave.
I think I'm most thankful for the friendships I've formed. After all, isn't that what we're always most thankful for? Cars rust and houses crumble, but relationship is the essence of all that becomes life.
As our time comes to a close, we are preparing to return home with our hearts filled - a mixture of joy and pain, triumph and suffering; for you cannot see what we have seen and not return brokenhearted.
Our deepest thanks go out to all of you who have supported us, both practically and spiritually, financially and relationally. Your prayers, phone calls, emails and letters of support have have kept us strong in the midst of the storm.
As we begin to embark on this great adventure home, we ask that you would be gracious to us as we take time adjusting. We are not coming home the same people we were when we left. We are different, you are different, we have both changed.
It may be hard for us to partake of, or even overhear, certain aspects of conversation that may seem trivial based on what we've been through. That does not change our love for who you are.
At times, we may need to talk; listen when you are able, and give a raincheck when you are not. We do not expect everyone to care deeply about our full experience - but we will need some close friends who do. We are weary soldiers coming back from war, and we have seen bloodshed.
In all things we care about knowing your stories, your trials and your joys of our time away as much as we want to share ours with you. Relationship is a two-way street.
We are looking forward to coming home and being with friends and family. If you are on our route as we drive cross country, we will send you an email and try to stop by - though we may not be able to see everybody, know that we want to.
With our deepest love, thanks and gratitude for all who read these letters. We love you deeply. Give our best to those you see and tell them we'll be home soon. With all of our love,
-The Roddy's
PS. A short note on timeline: We will be spending about four months in Atlanta before returning home to LA, except for a short visit in November. We will post a more specific timeline when one develops. Bless.
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