Fraser finished at Highland Theological College on Friday after working there for ten years. Ruth finished at Dingwall Primary School after studying there for six years. We all got swept away by love and support from many people from many different denominations at our leaving/commissioning service in the evening.
It was quite amazing to see our Cafe Church transformed into a more traditional look by putting the chairs in rows but it meant that a lot more people could fit in. The music was awesome (we're really going to miss the band) and we were humbled and uplifted by the whole experience. It's something we'll carry with us (along with our special edition DEC t-shirts and saltire) to Nigeria. If you're on Facebook and want to see more photos of this service and our final Sunday there are plenty on the Dingwall Evangelical Church page. Anyone can be our church's friend there!
Friday was great. Life became somewhat more emotionally harrowing as the weekend progressed. On Saturday Fraser said good-bye to his mother who lives alone in Dingwall. He's an only child so although she's very supportive of what we're doing it is hard. On Sunday at church we had the ordination of two new elders followed by communion and then farewell to those who wouldn't be there in the evening. In between services it was farewell to our good friend Richard who'd returned from holiday to reclaim his house from the squatters with tons of luggage who'd occupied it for the previous two weeks. We really appreciated the couple of days we were able to coincide there with him and Fiona but had to drive off quickly back into Dingwall before we were all sobbing away. That evening service was one that you hope will not come to an end as the prospect of parting hangs over it but it did and we had to face it. I'm developing a technique - hug everyone, say goodbye and go. However much I want to spend more time with people it only prolongs the agony so when it's your turn please don't feel insulted if that's what happens.
It wasn't raining on our last morning in the Highlands (so much for the pathetic fallacy). Ruth and I left Richard and Fiona's beautiful house just after breakfast, yet again amazed at the amount of luggage that can fit inside a Fiat Panda. (Fraser and James picked up a hired van later in the morning to follow us down.) Our journey to Lincolnshire seemed to last forever, lots of roadworks, lots of red traffic lights and lots of slow lorries just where the dual carriageway came to an end. It really only took eight and a half hours. In the olden days when missionaries sailed to their new homes that long journey provided a time to reflect, recover and start to adjust to the new stage in their life. The journey to my parents' house was a little like that. I don't know if it helped that tears and driving are not a recommended combination as there had to be a good bit of British reserve going on at times but the adjustment to the next stage has started. You can be sure you're doing God's will, convinced that he has many blessings planned for you and has everything worked out, but when it comes to actually leaving it is very hard. We miss our Dingwall family so much already but are comforted by the knowledge that God's family are never parted forever and that He is worth it.
Now for a while we have a respite from partings as we're living with my parents in Lincolnshire until our visas are granted and the final bits of financial support are made. Once we reach our target (it's approaching but we're not quite there yet) we'll get our definite departure date. At the moment it looks as if the middle of July is the most likely. We do pray that it won't be any later as school starts on August 8th and we really want James and Ruth to have a chance to settle in to Nigerian life as well as be there for the start of term.
The sun welcomed us to England. Soon I hope there'll be photos to prove it.
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