Justice Arrives

Robert and Noemi left on a Monday.  Justice arrived on Thursday along with his mom and dad and ‘uncle’.  Darin, Meeghan and Justice came out from California to spend a weekend with us.  Justice’s ‘uncle’ Shaner came out as well. 

Lisa and I were introduced to Darin & Meeghan by a mutual friend, Shane Claiborne nearly 4 years ago.  They, along with Shane, have been incredible friends walking with us over the years; through our relocation to Nigeria, the difficult return and the nomadic months, the respite in Marin and then the move to Memphis.  During the nomadic months especially, the Darin and Meeghan opened their home and we spent several weekends with them as well as some days with Shane in his community in Philadelphia.  These 3 friends have shown to us, in incredibly consistent ways, what it means to be a part of a beloved community, despite distance.  They have faithfully prayed for us and kept up with us despite our ever changing addresses. 

So, now that we have a new address, we thought it would be good to have them all over.  Shane was speaking at a few places around Memphis so it afforded us an excuse to all be together.  It had been, really a few years since we’d all been in the same place with a relaxed pace.  Often times we have to squeeze in meals together at a conference or retreat setting.  This time, the pace was slower, and the time sweeter.  We ate great meals that Lisa prepared, visited the civil rights museum, ate barbeque in north Memphis, talked a lot, told stories, laughed, cried, prayed and hoped for another chance to all be together again.  When they left, my heart was sad to see them go, but refreshed that they had come.