Flight Info

Thursday July 21
Departing Grand Rapids/Ford International (GRR)
American Airlines #4922, 6:35 am
Arriving New York City/LaGuardia International (LGA)
8:36am

Departing New York City/Kennedy International (JFK)
American Airlines #0172 6:35pm
Arriving Brussels, Belgium/Brussels National (BRU)
7:55am (local time, 1:55am DST)

Friday July 22
Departing Brussels Belgium/Brussels National (BRU)
SN Brussels Airlines # 0235 10:35am
Arriving Monrovia Liberia/ Roberts International (ROB)
5:50pm (local time, 1:50pm DST)

Luggage Juggle

Ok folks, time to get moving. We are packed up, and as I type, we have 14 hours before our flight. The house is empty, the bags are gone, and for the next few hours we'll be unable to send any pics because we won't have internet access. By tomorrow, we should be able to reconnect at JFK and give you an update. See you in a few!

Headin' out...

Renita and Janette trying to figure out which bag has the alarm going off.

Our worldly possesions reduced to 700lbs in eight suitcases.

Janette and Renita begin the relay.

Brother-in-law Dale and Bob hauling like the beasts of burden they are.

Noah lends a hand to Uncle Dale with a 70lb bag.

Just about... DONE!

Saying Goodbye, part two

We saying our final farewells, and it is getting to us. The emotional cost of leaving is becoming greater than we anticipated, and the price goes higher with each hug. Each of us is parting with best friends and so many lovely people; we are each grieving individually and as a family. Renita and I look into the eyes of the dearest people in our lives-- wondering who we will see again and who we won't, wondering if we haven't lost our minds-- and we are suddenly ambivalent. We eagerly desire to leave, to get started, get set up in our new home in Africa, and at the same moment we find ourselves wishing, wishing, oh, couldn't we stick around just a little longer? Could we not linger a while and savour the place and the people so dear-- just to make sure they are real? Like Noah, who asks with pained urgency if he can stay overnight at Matt, Sam and Ben's "just one more night," I find myself for the first time resisting the coming unknown, and for the first time, wanting to hold the familiar. I find myself not wanting to say goodbye.

In the midst of it, there are orientation meetings, planning groups, errands, loose ends, emergencies, and the ever-present awareness that there are some things that just won't get done. The following are images of our last few days in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, Developed World.

Saying farewell to my mentor and our dear friends Warren and Joanne. They stood by me through a lot, and remain champions on behalf of the Reeds.

A few of the folks gathered for our farewell. Thanks Norm and Mary!

With three more nights to sleep here, Noah shows off his newly emptied bedroom.

Sixty hours before we leave. An almost empty house, and two children pass the time: Ten year old Noah constructs Star Wars Lego spacecraft and twelve year old Hannah blows bubbles while reading.

Last Friday: one last trip to Michigans' Adventure. Can you spot Hannah, Noah and Renita upsidedown on the Corkscrew? (Hint, Hannah is in the first car with Anneka, Noah in the second with Hope, and Renita all by herself in the last car.)

Last Thursday: A gathering of Liberians and North Americans discussing ways to collaborate in in peacebuilding efforts there.

The Executive Director of CRWRC, Andrew Ryskamp, makes a point at the Thursday meeting.

Renita and other members of the "Nehemiah-Liberia Group" plotting and planning after the meeting ended. From the left is Renita, Rev Sam, pastor of Liberia's oldest church, Theo, Justine, and Dr. Ron.

Saying Goodbye, part one

The goodbyes are beginning. With about ten days to go, we are finding ourselves saying goodbye to nearer and dearer people. Last Saturday, it was the Wilcox family. Dan, Beth, Hannah, David, Emily. My dearest friends, even though I hadn't seen Dan in fours years, and the rest of the family in eight. They drove to Grand Rapids from Manhattan Kansas to see us.

Sunday, it was most of my family, some who came in from Kentucky and Ohio. I try not to cry during these goodbyes; I just don't like losing it every time I turn around. But its getting tougher, and tears are starting to make it out of their safe little ducts. Here are some shots of the family, after that the Wilcox clan.

Our Family and available Spouses. The siblings are, from the left Steve with wife Patty above, then above is Don with wife Carolyn, Mom with husband Keith below, Sandy w/o husband Rick, Bryan standing, no longer married. From the right in front is me with Renita. Last we come to brother-in-law Dave, front in the gray shirt bewteen Steve and Keith. His wife, my sister Brenda, was killed in an auto accident in December. Much loved, her absence was painfully felt all day. Several times we wept with each other.