Two brothers who give us quite a ride sitting next to each other on long trips to Cotonou! Timothy does not like Jonathan in "his" space! Any of you have turf wars in your cars?!! 

The wonderful view from the middle! (Tori usually occupies the back seat all to herself!) 

Lael either being friendly or crying out for relief!


* THANKS TO SO MANY OF YOU WHO WERE AT THE AIRPORT TO GREET THE PRICE FAMILY ON SUNDAY NIGHT!! CONTINUE PRAYING FOR THEM AND OFFERING YOUR SUPPORT AS THEY MAKE THIS RE-ENTRY BACK TO LIFE IN AMERICA!

One final team picture 

The Prices in June of 2006 

The Prices in June of 2004 

Au Revoir PRICE FAMILY! Goodbye!

Less than an hour ago, I dropped the Price family off at the airport. It marks the end of a chapter…and the beginning of a new one for both of our families! It was May 2004 when the Price family first arrived in Benin (I wish I had a digital photo of the night they arrived). Here’s a photo from June 2004 as our two families walked to the Kaitemey church one Sunday morning. Wow, now look at the other picture (taken just a few hours ago)….everyone’s grown up! The picture focuses on the external changes, but we know and even celebrate all the interior transformation that has gone on! As we prayed together one final time, I felt compelled to thank God for every good experience, as well as each personal challenge. Through this divine blend of encounters, each of our lives in this strange land has been changed. The Prices leave Benin different than when they came. And we are certainly better people (I think) than we were several years ago!

As a matter of fact, it was actually the year 2002 when the Prices first expressed the desire the follow the call of God to Benin. Preparation and planning consumed the rest of ’02 and all of ’03 and it was ’04 when they first landed in Benin as a family. Historically for our family, the year 2002 was a difficult year. Looking back, the years previous had rocked our faith, shaken our emotions, and tested our inmost character. Candidly, it was the latter half of ’02 when our family was at its worst, our very lowest point. It’s hard to say for sure, but having worked alone for quite some time at that point, we found ourselves facing a difficult situation…a series of devastating losses had rendered us depressed, disheartened, and honestly pondering the reality of a future in Benin. “Could we really continue there…did we even want to?” It was a hard time! But it was in the midst of those darker days when the Prices stepped up and answered the call of God to abandon it all to join us in Benin. While it was almost 2 years before they physically touched down in this West African country, we can sincerely look back with gratitude for their receptivity to join God in what He was doing here. Had they not been obedient, I’m really not sure we would have been able to stay. Simply put (and don’t think it was ever “simple” for them), because they were obedient to a difficult call, we stuck it out and have witnessed much fruit since 2002. And every single day we remain among the Aja after tonight…well, it’s hard not to acknowledge that, at least in part, it is the obedience of the Price family in 2002 that encourages our continuation in this ministry. We praise God for the years of influence the Prices have had and will continue to have in our lives and in the lives of some really close Aja friends!

The Prices will arrive at DFW on Sunday, June 11th, at 7:53pm, United Airlines # 359.

PRICES' FINAL DAY IN AJA LAND

On their last day in Aja land, the Prices pose with one of their best friends, Senou (see-new), on a favorite spot near Dekpo, where a church started in 2004 because of their family's witness. Out in this field, it is a high point where you can see for miles! This is one of those beautiful spots in Benin and a fitting picture for the Prices on their final day. We will miss them and so will many Aja people!

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After leaving here Saturday night, the Prices will arrive at DFW on Sunday, June 11th, at 7:53pm, United Airlines # 359.

Dawna and Kelly 

At our house, Steve helping to put on the final bags that they will carry onto the plane with them. 

Tori will certainly miss her frienships with Austin, Weston and Ashley! 

Moving Day for the Prices....yesterday was the day the moving company came to pack up the Prices' house. We were on our way back from seeing the Crowsons and we got to snap a quick picture of the truck carrying the container filled with the Prices' household possessions....all heading to the port in Cotonou where in a few months, after a long voyage across the ocean, it'll arrive in Fort Worth, Texas.  

Yesterday, as we were leaving the Crowsons at the beach, the Lord was rolling in a huge thunderstorm off the ocean...a magnficient array of colors to show us His mighty presence...the picture hardly captures the scene...but it was beautiful 

Tori with Stephen and Matthew Crowson 

My good friend Christine Crowson....It was so great to visit with her for awhile. I hope we are able to get together again very soon. 

Jonathan and Timothy enjoying the pool 

Today was a unique day. We were invited by our good friends and former teammates Murphy and Christine Crowson to join then and Murphy's parents, Marvin and Judith Crowson at the beach. We gladly accepted! The kids had a lot of fun swimming with Stephen and Matthew and Randy and I had a great time visiting with Murphy and Christine and Marvin and Judith. The time was too short for sure. Here are a few pictures from the day!

A NEW FAMILY PHOTO (June 2006)

Thanks to Tim, we got another chance at a family photo...and it turned out pretty cute! No, this is NOT in front of our house, but rather at the beach about an hour away from us. And thanks to Blogger's NOT-so-easy-to-update-your-profile-photo-feature...it took me over 30 minutes but finally got the profile updated as well (that little picture on the upper right corner as well as the one that appears alongside our comments on other blogs).

The Prices leave one week from today to return to America. Please pray for them this week as they pack up their things, say final goodbyes, and prepare for the return home. They arrive at DFW on Sunday, June 11th, at 7:53pm, United Airlines # 359.

-Randy

Goodbyes never come easy for me (Kelly) and this one was certainly no exception. This past week has been filled with so much blessing, laughter, encouragement, great conversation, refreshment and sweet sweet memories. Our family will be talking about our time in Benin with Uncle Tim for the rest of our lives! The kids loved being with him and wanted to be with him continuously. Tori even asked me a few times if I would not come along so that she could have him all to herself. Tori had to learn the art of sharing!! Every minute was wonderful and we are already missing him so much. Tori and I just returned from the airport. We are deeply thankful for his desire to come here and share in this experience with our family. It was so good to hear about the body of Christ at the Metro Church* in Orlando Florida! He talked about you all the time! Thank you all for praying for us and sending Tim our way! We look so forward to hearing how he shares with others about what he saw while he was here. We pray for his safe return and for the sweetest of reunions with Darcy, Danielle, Denae, TJ, and Trevor!

We love you Tim!
Kelly and Randy and T, T, J, &L


* Thanks to those at the Metro Church who generously provided two brand-new strollers for Lael and Jonathan....we have already used them so much!

Just before getting on the plane, it was time for all the last-minute pictures....here's Tim and Tori. I know Tori would have loved to get on that plane to visit Tim's kids, Danielle, Denae, TJ and Trevor! Thanks again to Darcy and all the kids for letting Tim come (glad to introduce you to blogging as well!)

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Timo and Tim! 

Leaving after the little ones' bedtime, Tim grabbed a last-minute picture with Lael and Jonathan....they sleep in side-by-side Pack-n-Plays in the hotel room and basically chat with each other until one falls asleep 

BATHTIME!! 

Jonathan and Lael always have a good time....they are really growing up as such good friends 

What a beautiful woman I'm married to! 

Timothy the Chiropractor shared some helpful tips and new exercises for us to do....Kelly was even able to find an exercise ball here in Cotonou 

Timothy had a great time in the swimming pool's fountain here at the Novotel hotel in Cotonou

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