Steeves' Summary #17:  Saying Goodbye                     July 2005

It is hard to believe that the time has come for us to leave!  The last minute details have been taking lots of effort -- changing addresses, packing to go and packing to leave behind.  I alternate between excitement and terror.  Can we get everything ready on time?

Saying goodbye has been a long process.  We had a comissioning service on June 26th.  We were offically sent off from our church.  It was humbling to be reminded that although we are going, there is a huge team on this end.  I finished at work with very mixed emotions.  I've worked in the same plant for 16 years, and I have packed up my office and turned over all my work to others.  The day before I left I sent out an email to the whole plant telling them where I was going and a little bit of why.  I received such positive feedback from different people that I have been really humbled.

We have been able to spend time with family and friends and to enjoy some of the New Brunswick summer.  We got in a last camping trip to Mactaquac and were able to take a break from the steady work of packing and preparing -- not to mention jobs.

Bernadine's gallbladder surgery went really well.  Her recovery has been great and she is feeling better than she has for months.  God prepared the way for her to have understanding doctors willing to have her operated on before our departure date.

Saying Goodbye isn't what it used to be.  In these days of cell phones, internet and instant connectedness, it won't be much different communcating with people from Kenya or Saint John.  We'll be in email contact with family within a day or two of our arrival.

Arrangements for our arrival in Kenya have been made with another Canadian family at RVA.  They will pick us up at the airport and ensure that we are looked after until we can look after ourselves.

Last week there was some news about violence in Northern Kenya.  In a remote area of Northern Kenya there was an inter-tribal cattle raid where over 70 people were gunned down.  It is a complex situation that only highlights the need for the peace of Christ in our world.  This isolated area is very difficult for missionaries to work in due to the nomadic population and insecurity.  Pray that God will send committed workers to show the love of Christ to these needy people.

Our Schedule:
August 2nd 12:05 -- leave Saint John for Toronto
1825 -- leave Toronto on British Airways
August 3rd 6:20 -- Arrive in London and meet Paul and Kelly Carline in the airport
10:25 -- leave for Nairobi on British Airways
20:45 -- Arrive in Nairobi to be met by the Guadaurs.
Spend the night at Mayfield Guest House in Nairobi
August 4th -- drive to Kijabe and get set up in our new house


You will next hear from us once we get to Kenya!

Blessings,

Michael and Bernadine, Julianne and Evan.

You can see our previous newsletters on our website at www.kijabe.org/mission2005.

	(Until August 1st) Michael and Bernadine Steeves 113 Pauline St. Saint John, NB E2J 3K8 (506) 658-6081 steeves@kijabe.org (will remain in use in Kenya) www.kijabe.org
	Africa Inland Mission 1641 Victoria Park Ave. Scarborough, ON M1R 1P8 (877) 407-6077 (Toll Free) www.aimcanada.org
	Canadian Baptist Ministries 7185 Millcreek Dr. Mississauga, ON L5N 5R4 (905) 821-3533 www.cbmin.org