Merry Christmas to all our friends and family!
It’s hard to believe we’ve now been in Florida almost three years. As we spend Christmas with family in Ohio, we are realizing just how acclimated all of us have become to the Sunshine State’s climate. We have grown to love this area where God has planted us. Our relationships here have deepened, our church here feels more and more like home, and Jonathan’s gardening efforts in our yard are blossoming beautifully.
Jonathan’s health, although not where it was before Togo, has improved somewhat. Having a consistent routine, getting adequate rest, and just living in a less stressful environment daily seem to have contributed to this improvement. We are thankful for some progress, even if he is not where we had hoped he’d be by now. Just in the last week, he has begun trialing a new medication. We would appreciate your prayers through this process — we are hopeful it will improve his fatigue, aches, and other symptoms.
He has been working constantly to improve the IT at the ITEC office and enjoys the challenge. He has also gotten involved to a lesser extent with their aviation, engineering, and farming projects.
In mid-July Jonathan and Bethany had the unique privilege of going on ITEC’s WAO Trip together. (A big thank you to Bethany’s mom, sister, & brother-in-law for staying with Caleb & Sélah so we could go!) It was an incredible, memorable experience. We listened to jungle rain thrum the roofs of skillfully fashioned longhouses as we nestled in handwoven hammocks; we fished from canoes on the beautiful Amazon; we planted banana and cassava starts in a clearing; and we feasted on jungle chicken and plantains. We met some of the Waodani tribe and heard firsthand accounts of their violent spearing days, how Christ was introduced to them, and how He changed their lives and culture completely. It was exciting to see up close how ITEC got its start.
Bethany has enjoyed getting back into piano lessons once a week from a lady in our Sunday School class. Unfortunately for us, our babysitter started college, so Bible study has been put on hold during this season. She misses the good teaching and fellowship, but is focusing on growing other relationships, managing our home, and training and homeschooling the children.
Caleb, five-and-a-half this month, is obsessed with all things aviation. We joke that his brain is shaped like an airplane, the way he can turn any stick, drawing, or toy into some sort of flying machine. His drawing skills have really taken off the last few months (No pun intended, but airplanes are his favorite thing to sketch). He has enjoyed starting more formal school with Mama this past year, and has made lots of progress in his handwriting and sounding out short words. His favorite place to be, though, is outside climbing trees, digging, and going off on some new adventure with “Little Fishy,” as he calls his sister in their latest imaginary game.
Sélah, three-and-a-half, refers to her brother as “Alligator” in their game, but even though she’s smaller she is often the one taking the lead in their antics. She is learning her letter sounds this year, and loves doing school like brother. She can spot something pink from a mile away, but is also quick to climb a tree all the way to the top or to wrestle her brother to the ground. Some of her other favorite things are squirrels, babies, dancing and singing (especially to the Baby Shark song), reading, and organizing (Yes, she gets that one from her Mama). She keeps us on our toes with her knack for mischief and her quick sense of humor.
We apologize for how long it has been since we got our last update out. Hopefully we will be able to stick to getting you updated every quarter from now on. And, Lord willing, our next update will bring news of a new addition! We are all excited to meet “Bump” around the beginning of March. We have enjoyed feeling his/her kicks and anticipating what sort of personality she/he will add to our family. We are thankful for this blessing!
Thank you all for your continued prayers for us. It can feel very different, and sometimes less impactful, not being “frontline missionaries” anymore, but the Lord reminds us that He sees each behind-the-scenes moment of internet-repairing and child-training and laundry-folding just as much as he saw us having church under a baobab tree in a West African village. So even though we still miss our friends and ministries in Togo, we rejoice to see the Lord’s provision and direction right here as well. He is always faithful; always with us, our kind and lowly Emmanuel. May you take time this season to slow down and draw near to Him.
Serving Him Together,
Jonathan & Bethany, Caleb, Sélah, and Baby Edwards
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.