Jessica goes back to school
This weekend I took Jessica back for her sophomore year at Eastern Mennonite University. We rode down together with Joe and Cheryl Hollinger, who were taking their son Chris to EMU.
Jessica and I had a good weekend together in Harrisonburg. Her birthday was Sunday, and I took her to Subway for lunch - we didn't have a car, so we chose a place within walking distance.
Dad relaxes in the lounge.
Leaving Jessica at school is one of the hardest things that I have ever done in my life. She hopes to visit us in a year and a half in Nairobi. We are already looking forward to that
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Jessica just hanging around at school.
Cindy, Jordan and Alia have made it to Kenya
They left on Monday evening after a 4-day delay due to the uncovered terrorist plot. In the end they had no trouble at the airports and the lines were reasonable - though it did take nearly 2 hours to check-in.
Don Sharp, pastor at Stumptown, drove a car load of our family to the airport. I drove a van full of luggage.
Our family poses together in front of the van full of luggage. Jessica, on the left, remains in the USA to attend university at Eastern Mennonite University. I'm staying with her until she begins school, then I'll fly on to Nairobi and join Cindy, Jordan and Alia.
There was a rather long wait to check in at the Philadelphia airport. So Jessica and I took turns entertaining Alia on the escalators.
We had a chance to talk to all three of them in Nairobi on the phone this morning. They are doing well, a bit tired. All of the luggage arrived without problems. After the 4-day delay the trip was pretty much hassle-free. We thank you for your prayers.
Mike stays behind to be with Jessica
Our original plans were for Mike, Cindy, Jordan and Alia to leave on August 10th. Jessica would spend a few weeks with friends in the Lancaster area before returning to Harrisonburg, VA and her second year at Eastern Mennonite University.
This began to feel very much like we were abandoning Jessica for those couple of weeks before she returned to university. So, we decided that I (Mike) would stay behind with Jessica and accompany her back to university. Then I'll fly to Nairobi the next day. So I'll be staying with Jessica until her birthday on August 27, and I'll fly out on the 28th.
We think that this plan is best for Jessica and our family. Please keep us in your prayers.
Problems in England cause a delay
Hi. We woke up Thursday morning thinking that Cindy and the kids would be leaving that afternoon for Kenya. However, I often read BBC news on the internet in the morning, and we learned about the arrest of alleged terrorists in England and the problems with flying through Heathrow airport. We had a stop scheduled and a change of planes at Heathrow.
We began reading about what was happening and looking up information on British Airways flights. Finally, Cindy called British Airways and changed the flight to this Sunday, August 13th. Carry on bags are not allowed, so we have had to do some last minute repacking. Everyone is now relaxed and ready to leave in two days.
Please remember to pray for us as Cindy, Jordan and Alia fly to Kenya on Sunday.
Goodbyes in Ohio and a Wedding
We visited my family in eastern Ohio. We also were able to go to my nephew's wedding. Jacob had been a ring-bearer in our wedding 20 years ago.
Here are some pictures of my brothers and sisters and their children, and Jacob and his bride Jennifer.
Jake and Jenn coming out of the church.
My sister Margie, her husband Gene and their family.
Our family posing with my mother, JoAnn Brislen.
Paul, Susie's husband, playing with Alia.
My sister, Sue, and her daughters, Kayla and Shayna.
Saying goodbyes to Ohio families
We made a trip to Alliance, Ohio to visit Cindy's aunts and cousins. Unfortunately, we were only able to visit for one day, but it was nice to see everyone again.
Mike went to college in Alliance and got to know Cindy's extended family at church before meeting Cindy. Many people ask us how we met since I'm from Ohio and Cindy is from Baltimore. Well this is the answer. We met at the First Church of God in Ohio.
Here are some pictures of our visit in Alliance.
At the church with Aunt Lois.
Cindy with her Aunt Lois and Aunt Ruthie.
Jordan and I at the entrance to the college I graduated from.
Alia chips in to help
Alia decided to help with the packing and the excess possessions by holding a yard sale to sell some of her toys. 
MST Send-Off Meal
Our MST (Missionary Support Team) had a meal and sending-off time with us on August 1. People from Stumptown Mennonite Church and Mellinger Mennonite Church and Cindy's Mom were there with us. (Our other supporters live much further away.) Deb Muenstermann, who is MST Coach at EMM, was there to explain how our MST may best help support us while we are away in Kenya. Her insights were found to be helpful.
It was a very meaningful time for us. Here some photos from the meeting.
Dennis Diller and I were the only ones wearing jeans, T-shirts and sneakers. Ivan Leaman, standing by the door (and pointing), is the chairman of our MST.
Don Sensenig (and Doris' arm) and Jane Landis are enjoying the meal.
John Leaman, a pastor at Stumptown, is talking to Leon and Leona Oberholtzer. Leon has an office at the church where I appreciated getting to know him this year.
Stocking up
On a more humorous note... We have found that items such as good socks and underwear are difficult to find in at least some parts of Africa. So as we pack to leave in 10 days, we've also been stocking up on socks and undies.
Please pray for us as we go through the stressful time of packing and saying our good-byes to friends and family.
Jessica and I had a good weekend together in Harrisonburg. Her birthday was Sunday, and I took her to Subway for lunch - we didn't have a car, so we chose a place within walking distance.
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