The story of this journey started on April 21st of last year when we finally purchased our tickets for Kenya. We had been longing to go, and in the middle of the Lockdown prices were good, so we made the leap and did it, with tickets to go on December 3rd. A few weeks later we found out that our first grandchild was on the way, due at the end of December. That was exciting news and very conflicting!! I knew I couldn't be in Kenya while Hosanna had her first baby.... We waited 4 months before changing the dates on our tickets to January 21st, 2021. The world was shut down, but surely this all wouldn't last until then, right?
Our autumn was full with Micaiah's wedding in California. We were thrilled to welcome another daughter into our family! Micaiah and Bethany wanted to join us on our trip to Kenya, and my sister Corina also decided to go. We held a wedding reception for Micaiah and Bethany on December 5th amidst lockdowns, and then found that our tickets had been changed by the airline. We tried to take care of it, and didn't get anywhere.
We started praying specifically that our sweet grandchild would come on time or early. It was Christmas, and 2 days later she arrived! Talitha Rejoice Lotter was born at home, and I was privileged to be there. Such a miracle as always, and we definitely felt God's presence with us. It was a tough birth, especially for a first time mama. Grace for each moment. God is good. Yes, He is! He had answered our prayers thus far. Newborn smells, soft velvet skin, and tiny perfection. We basked in the joys of Grandparenting, and spent our time between our house and coaching Hosanna into the world of motherhood. Can anything be more satisfying to a mother?
Our next thought was the 2 passports that hadn't yet come. We called the passport agency, and they couldn't really tell us anything. Expediting (which we'd done) was 4 to 6 weeks, and it was more than that now. More prayers... Then visas for entering Kenya. They had a whole new website, really updated, and REALLY complicated. We had to have a letter of invitation from Kenya to apply for a visa, and we weren't getting through to Hosea. Jeremiah's mother was waiting for a call from the surgeon to schedule her heart surgery, and we wanted it to be before we left for Kenya. It was impossible, we were told. Then the call came, and she was given 2 options, January 19th at 5:15am, or on the 21st, the day we left. We really wanted it to happen before we left, so we agreed to take her to Grand Rapids on the 19th. (Crazy? Yes, for sure.) We thanked God that He had heard us in this too!
Second week of January. We heard from Hosea, and he was going to get us a letter. Jeremiah filled out visa applications for all but me, lacking only the invitation letter. Hopefully soon it would come! Mine was waiting. I would carry the last 2 minors when their passports arrived. We couldn't list them until we had their passport numbers, and no, the passport agency CANNOT tell you what the numbers are; you find out when they arrive in your mailbox! Oh Lord! Why is everything so hard? Prayers, and more prayers. Our children came home from Bible School in Indiana, the Lichtenburger family visited for a few days, and plans continue. Yeah, we're still trying to do school, and when will I even think of packing?
On January 12 Hosea's letter was in our email. Jeremiah applied for the first visas within the hour. We were happily surprised when they were approved within 24 hours! He applied for the next 2, and they came within 20 hours. We got an email saying that the passports would arrive by Saturday the 16th. I prayed that they would come on Friday, and they did! We tore open the envelopes, and Jeremiah finished my visa application. Such relief! Next thing - we were each required to have a covid test before leaving the US. I spent a lot of time getting everyone a digital app, so that we would have digital results. Then scheduling the tests at just the right time....
Micaiah and Bethany arrived on Saturday the 16th, and Jeremiah and I, along with the 2 youngest went to Grand Rapids to get them, and do some shopping. I was glad to finally get supplies for the trip, including totes for packing. The others worked on a long list of chores since they'd gone skiing the day before. We had a fun family evening, celebrating Jotham's 9th Birthday. On Sunday, all of us except for Seth (because he was sick) went to visit Jeremiah's mother. She hadn't seen Micaiah and Bethany since they were married, and this was her first time to meet Talitha. It was a happy day of a Johnson tradition - making eggrolls. Yum! We also told her goodbye for 3 months.
I'm going to stop here for this evening. I know it's a long story, but feel I had to tell it, so you can understand our story, and also to give glory to God for His Hand in this effort.
