After a country-wide camping trip and a stop in Phnom Penh to pick up some Bibles, we returned home on a Friday evening. We were exhausted and slept soundly all night. At 6:30 the next morning, our youngest son, Josiah, began pounding on our bedroom door. “Mom! Dad! Someone just dropped off a package with Hannah’s name taped on it!” I stumbled toward the door, my brain somewhat groggy, trying to process why someone would send a package for Hannah. But my questions were answered when I opened the door and saw our oldest daughter, Hannah, standing there. What a complete and wonderful surprise.

While she stayed with us, she visited with several of her friends. My heart ached when one of the village girls, who was very close to Hannah and Katie (the student missionary who worked in the village with Hannah), ran up and hugged her over and over. The little girl was also delighted to receive some special presents that Katie had sent for her and her two siblings.

We camped at the newly rented center of influence in Ratanakiri and worked as a family to start cleaning it up — in particular, removing the termite-infested walls and the family of geckos. Hannah, Enoch and Josiah had a blast being in each other’s company, and I had fun chatting with Hannah while we worked together. Mother-daughter talks while we work together are something I sorely miss with both girls away from home.

Hannah and I went shopping, got some of Hannah’s medical needs taken care of, and our family went out for a special meal at Hannah’s favorite Greek restaurant. We also grabbed some local foods she can’t readily get in the States, like durian, and I prepared some of her favorite home-cooked meals.

Hannah’s stay was the first time one of our girls visited since they left for school. It was so incredibly wonderful to have her here again. In fact, I think our intense joy (including the tears of happiness I shed when I first saw her) was one of her favorite memories from her visit. The only thing that could have made it better was if Bethany had also been able to come. We really missed having her here, too! I was thinking, though . . . how wonderfully happy God will be when we get to go home to heaven. The only thing that will dim that joy is missing the ones who won’t be there. No wonder He delays his coming. He wants as many of His children there as possible. Thank you to each of you for helping His children get home through personal sharing and your support. I can’t wait to see His joy at having His children home!

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