“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” – Ephesians 2:19, ESV

March has arrived with a fierce heat that makes each day feel longer than the last. The thermometer soars past 38 degrees almost daily, and by the time I reach the top of the hill to our house, it feels like the air has been stolen from my lungs. Nights are warm too, the sky scattered with countless stars, but the weather has been anything but stable. Since moving to our new location, we’ve struggled with electricity issues—broken lines and transformers seem to be forgotten out here in the deep. Power cuts come without warning, leaving us in darkness with only the hum of crickets to fill the silence. Even so, seeing the school term in full swing brings a sense of purpose that no amount of heat or darkness can take away. The classrooms buzz with energy, children’s laughter spilling into the corridors, and amidst it all, we’ve finally moved into the new nursery building. Watching the little ones fill the bright, freshly painted rooms with their wide eyes and eager voices makes every challenge feel worth it.

Yet, the greatest blessing of these past few weeks has been the gift of family—not just the ones who travelled thousands of miles to be with us last month but also those who, from afar, have supported us every step of the way. Both our families have embraced this life we’ve chosen with open hearts, standing behind every decision we’ve made, no matter how unconventional. Their support has been a steady anchor through all the uncertainty that comes with living in such a remote place. We’ve shared everything—meals by candlelight when the power went out, long talks on the porch under starry skies, the small triumphs of daily life, and the deep sorrows that sometimes catch us off guard. Knowing that they are with us, even across oceans, fills us with a gratitude that words can hardly express.

In a place where so many children at our school come from broken homes—left behind by parents, raised by grandparents barely scraping by, or taken in by neighbours who can hardly afford to feed themselves—this gift of family feels even more profound. It is not just here, but we can see it more clearly here, and we know it is all around the world. Many of these children carry the weight of abandonment, the hollow ache of parents who left them behind, sometimes without even a goodbye. Some do not even have grandparents to hold onto, relying instead on the kindness of neighbours who can only do so much. Living amidst such brokenness makes us appreciate even more the blessing of having families who care so deeply and stand with us so faithfully. Their love is a reminder that we are not alone, that even in the most remote corners of the world, God’s provision reaches us through the hands and hearts of those who love us.

The story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 keeps coming to mind. In that parable, a father’s love remains unshaken, even when his son returns home broken and empty-handed. The father doesn’t wait; he runs to embrace him with open arms, his love covering every mistake. That same kind of love is what we’ve experienced from our families. Their willingness to live our reality, to share in the dust and heat and uncertainty of life here, mirrors that unconditional embrace. Even when the challenges mount and the path forward seems blurred, knowing they stand behind us gives us the courage to keep going. Just as the father’s love in the story was a reflection of God’s own heart for His children, our families’ support has been a glimpse of that same divine love—steadfast, unearned, and unshaken by the storms that come.

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God”

– Ephesians 2:19, ESV.

This verse echoes in my heart as I think of the way our families have embraced our calling as their own. Their love reminds us that, in Christ, we are part of a much larger family—one that reaches beyond bloodlines and borders, bound together by a love that never fails. So even as we wipe the sweat from our brows and navigate each day’s uncertainties, our hearts are full of gratitude. We press on, encouraged by the reminder that, just like the father in the parable, God’s love reaches us wherever we are—through the hands and feet of those who care for us so well. In a world so deeply broken, the love of family is a comfort and a blessing beyond words. Thank you for walking this journey with us—for every prayer, every kind word, every act of love that reminds us we are never alone. We are truly, deeply grateful.

Stay with us, and let’s see what incredible things God has in store!

With Love Dana