Top Five Moments in Africa With My Parents

I couldn't help but burst into tears when I saw my parents walk out of the Cape Town terminal. This is the first time they have flown over the Atlantic and it was an incredible time together. They got to meet Adison Rose for the first time, experience the breath-taking beauty Cape Town and connect with our amazing community.

Here are my 5 top highlights...

1.     STATE FAIR: Driving on the “wrong” side of the road was quite the adventure for my dad. He would yell “State Fair!” during scary moments.  He said, “It’s a lot like a ride at the state fair... mostly safe, but you still feel like you are about to die at any given moment.”

  

2.     MEETING ADI: My parents had to wait 3 ½ months before they could meet their seventh grandchild...Adison Rose!  They fell in love with her instantly! The first thing my mother said to her at the airport was, “Adi Rose! Who do you look like?” After carefully looking her over and deciding there was no obvious family resemblance, she said, “I guess you look like yourself!” She does look like...well... herself! I suppose we all look a bit like ourselves. J

On a side note: Regarding Adi...I REALLY don’t know why I get asked numerous times if she is “a doll.”  Finally the last time I said, “No!  Why would I do that?” And the women remarked in deep South American accent “Dees people...de will do anyting!”  At any rate...I guess she’s right.  I looked it up and there are women who buy these “reborn dolls” – made to look like real babies.  They take them out shopping, to restaurants, to events – treating them like actual babies.  I guess people really will do anything!

Adi looks like a doll??

Maybe?

3.     THE BLESSING: My parents took some time to bless our fellow missionary friends in our house church...they said, “On behalf of all of your parents...we just want you to say, We are so proud of you!” Everyone was so touched by the love and support of my parents.

Here is a video of our house church the night my parents came (singing "Spring up O Well")

I've got a river of life flowin' out of me.
Makes the lame to walk and the blind to see.
Opens prison doors, sets the captives free.
I've got a river of life flowin' out of me.

Spring up O Well.
Within my soul.
Spring up O Well
And make me whole.
Spring up O Well
And give to me
That life abundantly.

This song is the prayer I want to walk out every day with my life!

4.     FRIENDS FROM OCEAN VIEW. It was so great to have my parents meet Claudine.  She said, “I finally get to meet my American family!”  I also really enjoyed having my mom come to the Yellow House and meet the high school girls from Ocean View I’ve been mentoring for a few years.  She shared her story of how she met Jesus and prayed a blessing over them.

5.     THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE: I couldn’t believe it when my dad said, “Julie, this was the best day of my life.”  It was a great day of spending time together and soaking in the beauty of Africa. We went to the top of Table Mountain and pictures really can’t describe how awe-inspiring the view is – from the top you can see two oceans, all of Cape Town, and many of the small towns surrounding where we live. That night we experienced some African food with live African dancers.

I am so grateful my parents came and blessed us in more ways than we can describe in words.  Since we are not going back to America this year, it was life-giving to have family visit us.

As Karl was pulling out of the driveway to take them to the airport to leave...my father was sitting in the front seat.  I ran out, jumped in his lap and wrapped my arms around him. I’m not too old to sit in my daddy’s lap.  


I thought...I understand God better because I have a good father.  A father who knows how to give good gifts, who delights in just being around me, who loves deeply and sacrificially.

This is our God...our amazing Father!  He adores us and is working out hundreds of details every moment of every day for our good.  He is trustworthy...He is perfect...He is worth it all!