May Update

Hello Friends,

What a whirlwind these months have been!! We praise God for a great time back in the states. As we count down to our departure (May 16th) we are so grateful for all the relationships that we have and for all the love we have felt during our visit home. Thanks for all your encouragement and support for us. We feel reconnected and refreshed and ready to take on another two years in Zambia!

We have been able to share with so many families, churches, schools, children's classes and Bible studies and have been so blessed and stretched in each situation. Our media presentation had it's fair share of difficulties and the kids were quite a challenge at times, the traveling was not always ideal and we have gained some weight due to all the fast food.......but what an amazing time to share pictures, stories, and songs and share about what God is doing in Zambia.

We have made wonderful memories with our families in Sycamore and Dallas these past months and will hold onto them and all our pictures over our next two year term. We hope these good memories will outweigh all the health issues we have had since our return!! We started in February with having to kill a family parasite that had infested each one of us during a swim in Lake Malawi six months previously. The medicine was effective, thank goodness and killed the increasing hatching eggs in our systems. Also in April, Luke spent 5 days in the hospital with a bad case of strep throat and pnemonia. Strep being very contagious, made its way through our whole household including Luke's parents and brother. You can imagine all the medicine we had to keep track of!!! A family member jokingly said, " I think your angels are on vacation now that you are back from Zambia!!!" We are doing well now and just enjoying these last couple weeks together! We would appreciate all your continued prayers for great health, especially for Luke!

The kids have enjoyed their time in America and now are looking forward to getting back to their other home! It's been so neat to watch them and see how brave they have been in new/different situations. They have gotten their fair share of McDonalds and most of all loved being with family and friends. They also love seeing their cat Gus and being able to pick up the duties of taking care of him. They are very excited to see our dog Spud in Zambia and catch up with their friends.

The Zambians have touched our hearts and lives forever. We hope through our contact with each of you, that their faces and needs touch your heart too. May you remember all the faces of the starving street kids and say a prayer for them around your dinner table. As you tuck your kids in bed please think of all the little orphans that don't have a parent to kiss their cheeks. May you look for the opportunities to welcome people in your home and remember our dear friend Joyce who did't have a roof to cover her six children. We in America are so blessed so please use these blessings to love on your neighbor, whatever that may look like!

Thank you all for partnering with us for another two year term in Zambia. We are looking forward to returning to our teammates, friends, our home and of course to our dog Spud. We will continue to keep you updated and tell you all about our adventures good and bad!! Thank you for all your love and support. We are so blessed to have families like you behind us! Please stay in touch through e-mail or through our blog.
God bless,
Luke and Elise
Macie, Emma, Payton, and Tazi Whitfield