Papa and Mama

Today I want to highlight my parents.

 I've mentioned it before on the blog, they live in Benin, Africa, and are there to help out the local churches with advice, training and education.

the wild things in Benin

They've been there for over a year now, luckily with a few visits to Holland in between, and they've done some really good work, but it hasn't been all fun and adventure. 

They've been through some difficult and scary moments. 

Moments that when I heard about them all I wanted was for them to come home. 

And of course they miss their children and grandchildren so much. 

Especially when hard things happen Africa is so far away! 

And sometimes it makes them feel like they shouldn't be there, but here with us, their children.

But I believe that they're there for a purpose. That God has placed them in Benin because he has great plans for them! 

And that doesn't mean that they should stay there no matter what, even if their hearts tell them to go back. No, it means that their time in Benin how ever long or short it will be will have meaning and will matter.

And that belief only gets stronger when I read my parents blogs about their life in Benin. 

My moms blog is in Dutch (which most of you probably don't understand),

but my dad blogs in English and I promise you it is well worth the read.

I'm just so proud of what they're doing and I love them so very much! 

And I know that God is there, right beside them, 

to help them and to give them what they need to do this special work. 

Will you pray along with me for my parents?

Love, Maria

me and my dad doing what we love, cooking and baking

my mom meeting Micha for the first time

Micha's first visit to my parents house here in Holland