Saying Goodbye

http://www.bbfi-asia.org/ebert_p/

Yesterday was a pretty emotional day at our church. We spent the day saying goodbye to some very dear friends as they follow the Lord's calling to the mission field in the Philippines. I am SO excited that they are finally making it over there. This is something that they have been working towards for MANY years!! I will never forget when we really got to know Tina & Paul. Our Sunday School class made a trip up to St. Louis to go to Six Flags for the day. Little Rachel was VERY little (wow - don't remember if she was a few weeks or a few months old - but LITTLE) so they had brought her with them to Six Flags. Since John can't ride roller coasters (gives him migrains), we watched little Rachel while Paul & Tina road the Ninja. The Eberts were some of the first people at Park Crest Baptist to really make us feel welcome. We spent MANY evenings hanging out with them at their house (along with various other people) - their home was always a hopping place and everyone was always welcome. Since we didn't have any kids yet (had just gotten married), John and I often had their oldest 3 kids over to spend the night and their pictures were all over our house. We even made a road trip with them (minus Jonah - he wasn't here yet), to St. Louis - staying downtown at The Westin right across the street from the old Busch Stadium. The next day the boys went to the Cardinal game, while the girls took the Metrolink to the Zoo. SO MUCH FUN (and OH so many stories just in that one weekend - lol - like not taking the shuttle from the Forest Park Metrolink station to the Zoo and having to walk ALL the way around the HUGE park - UGH! We were exhausted before we even made it in the front gate of the Zoo - lol). Such wonderful memories!

(Picture from the road trip to St. Louis back in July 2001)

When Paul & Tina took over the junior high ministry at church we didn't have the time to get together like we use to. We still saw them at church and would stop and chat, but our friendship had taken on a new role. Then their deputation began and they traveled ALL over the United States to raise the support for moving to the Philippines during the past year. Through their travels, Tina and I would chat a little whenever we caught each other on AIM and when they were back in town (our church is their sending church), we would do a little catching up - although lots of other people wanted to catch up with them too, so our time was limited.

Yesterday, Paul was able to speak to our Sunday School class - WOW! how emotional!! We are all happy....them happy to finally be going...us happy that they are following the Lord's calling...but it is also sad to know that now we won't be seeing them every few months....now it will be more like years. Thank goodness for the internet though! We will be able to keep track of what they are up to through their web site, blog and pictures...as well as emails and AIMs. So at least it isn't a total loss of contact now either. :) We also had the opprotunity to go with the Eberts to eat lunch and do some more fellowshipping (along with 3 other families from our church and Paul's brother and sister-in-law & their 2 girls). Made it a little easier to chat with a fewer number of people around. :) Then last night at church, Paul spoke to the whole congregation (which I had to miss since I work with the AWANA chidlren's club on Sunday nights) and then the church had a dessert fellowship following the service (you know us Baptist - always eatting - lol - that's how we "fellowship" after all :) ).

So the Eberts spent one more night in the church mission apartment last night and left for Dallas, TX this morning. They will be flying out from there on Wednesday morning...a LONG 24 hr flight to get to the Philippines! UGH!! And with 4 kids!! At least the kids should have something to entertain them for at least a part of the trip - our church gave each the kids their own iPod. It won't slow down at ALL for them once they arrive, either!! Friday, Paul is already meeting with local Pastors there and the following he will be preaching at a conference every day! Plus they have to get ready for the quickly approaching camp year. They will be joining the ministry of Paul's parents (Paul actually grew up in the Philippines) there and take over the running the BBFI camp as well as some other things so his parents can move to Manila and focus on work there.


Paul, Tina, Jared, Sarah, Rachel & Jonah -
We LOVE YOU ALL and will miss you loads!!! Our prayers follow you in this new chapter of your lives. We can't WAIT to hear how God uses you over in the Philippines to do His work!! God bless you as you follow His calling. We will look forward to seeing you again on your furlough in 2010!!!***HUGS***