Our family dynamics have changed with just the 2 youngest kids traveling with us....it is odd to be such a small family of 4. We only have to get 1 hotel room and can sit in 1 booth at restaurants. We did not realize how much the older kids helped with the entertainment of the younger kids. Dave and I are really feeling our age....not quite as cool..... I have shared some older movies with the kids as we have traveled. I love Red Box...it works well as you travel across the country. " The Inn of the 6 Happiness" is one of the older movies we watched together. Very inspiring! If Gladys Aylward could travel my train all the way to China from England, I can certainly survive this Jenkins Tour!
Little Rock was our first stop. Friday night we stayed with dear friends that use to live in Rwanda--the Brogdens. Ruth and Timothy's buddies were eager to get together. They all had that awkward few minutes but they warmed up fast and were playing like old times. Dave and I stayed up late as well visiting with our friends....laughing,remembering, and learning!
The next day it was hard to say good-bye as we continued on our journey....till we meet again! We then got together with one of Dave's college buddies that is hosting one of our ROC parties at the end of the month. It was nice to visit and share what God is doing in Rwanda and pray together.
Sunday we worshiped at Little Rock Church where one of Dave friends is ministering. They were having a special 4th of July day with 2 churches combined---Hispanic Church and English service----it was an interesting blend of cultures....highlight of the morning was Christian Mariachi Band! We had a nice 4th of July "Picnic" lunch with the church and then back in the car on our way to Chicago.
Dave took me to see Wheaten University ( the school that is on the top of Sophia's list).....mixed feelings of joy and sadness as I could picture her there. We met some more dear friends ,who use to live in Rwanda, the Payes ,for lunch. It was fun seeing their kids and talking of the "old days " in Rwanda.
We drove across town to Judson University for our ROC party. One of Dave's college friends who is a Professor there hosted the event. I had a splitting headache so the kids and I stayed at her apartment well Dave and her went on to the reception. After I rested a while I picked up a book she had called "Half of the Sky" by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. I could hardly put it down. I have since bought my own copy and I know when I am done I will blog about it....the little I have read has been life changing.
After having Chicago style Pizza , we proceeded at 9:30 P.M. head out of Chicago.....we got lost two times and it was 12:30 before we were out of the city....we drove till 2:30 before we found a place to lay our heads . We were very very tiered! The next day we continued our trip to Memphis. We have had several faithful supporters through the years and it is always such a joy to visit them ...one of the highlights of these trips. The Curtis were so hospitable and gracious. We enjoyed our time with them . We had 2 ROC parties at Highland Church of Christ. It was fun meeting several old college friends of Dave's. We were the excuse for a mini - Harding reunion....some had not seen each other for years although they live in the same town.
Well we are now in Wichita, KS with my sister and her family. It is nice to relax and not be "on" for a few days before we hit the road again on Monday ..... Colorado here we come.....
