Our son Matthew got engaged in December 2019. They were going to wait until April 2021 to have the wedding, so we could be home for it. In July, I think it was. He dropped the bomb of possibly moving the wedding to this September. Which we were all for except one major problem. The borders in Ghana were closed. We couldn't get home if we wanted to. It was a pretty emotional time. How could he get married and we cannot be there? We had a hard week. The next week, he confirmed, yes, I think we are going to move it to September. Now, the initial shock of the news was over, and as the smoke began to clear, it was still very hard to talk about without crying. Once he made his decision, God began to work. Another week passed. We got a phone call. A couple and their Sunday school class was going to help pay for the plane tickets home. We were excited!! However, the borders in Ghana are still closed, no one comes in to Ghana, no one goes out. We can't get home. Now, we are in the month of August. We hear some flights are flying into Ghana and then to Dubai. Then we would have to make connection to get to the US. These tickets were very costly. We thought, what if one or two of us flew home for the wedding? I was not wanting to go this route. Also, what about quarantine? What if we get separated for some time because of the restriction due to the virus? We just kept praying and trusting God.
The President of Ghana would address the nation about every two weeks. Lifting restrictions or making an announcement of any news we should adhere to. Then we heard the news. Ghana will be opening their borders September 1st, if the airport passes all requirements for travel. Woo hoo, only God, can open doors that have been shut for 6 months. We began making plans to travel. Do we need to quarantine there?What about when we come back into the country? Questions, questions, questions. No one had answers. It was so frustrating. We had to pack up our house, get men to fill in for our Bible study in Anaji. It was a whirlwind of activity. We left for the capital a few days early. We got a Covid test (which we didn't need). Got to the airport for our long journey. Finally, sitting on the plane getting ready for take off. We made it. Sitting there looking out the window, reflecting on all that God did to get us here. I have no words. I am just in awe at His goodness.
Back home, seeing our family and our church family has been refreshing to me. I missed them. I am trying real hard not to mother Matthew. How do you do that? I am trying to find my new place and not over step the boundary. As I enter this new season, I can't help but relate more and more with my mother-in-law. When I left Naomi and Matthew in the States and got on the plane to go back to Ghana, I looked at my mother-in-law and said, now, I understand how hard it is to leave your kids (or in her case watch them leave). She's been doing this for years and years. She has 4 sons and 4 daughter-in-laws. I know how I felt about my mother-in-law and I am trying hard to let go and watch from a distance. My mother-in-law must be very patient to deal with all us in-laws. I am thankful for her faithfulness over the years. Her love and understanding. It must be/it is, hard to watch from a distance.
If all goes well, we should be back in the country in October and be back to work on the building in Ghana. If you honor God, he will honor you.
It was a beautiful wedding and they had a beautiful September day. Mack got to marry Matthew and Sarah, with his older brother, who is also our Pastor, did the Welcoming and Admonishment in the begining of the wedding. Mack and I were married in the same spot with his older brother marring us, 24 years ago. It was a wonderful day and glad we could be here for this special day.
