Midwest Tour: The Farm and St. Paul

After our trip to Duluth, the next stop was the Farm. This is a beloved place to us because it first holds a lot of memories and meaning for Eli because of all the time spent there during his childhood, but it's also where he proposed to me, and also where we lived a couple different times when we were in between places. The Horn family farm holds a special place in our hearts!

We took a walk along the adjacent fields and through the woods - places where a lot of memories were made with the Horn cousins growing up. I can easily imagine all the mischief that took place there!

A highlight of any trip to the Farm is the go-kart. This thing was acquired when Eli was a kid and it still runs like a dream. Our boys were first introduced to it the last time we were in the States, and they have fond memories of it and were eager to try it again. Kai and Asa had no hesitation whatsoever and were quickly flying around the Farm in that go-kart. Caleb needed a little time to build up his courage, but eventually took a turn and immediately fell in love. His speed was timid compared to his brothers, but he spent a long time on that thing and had an enormous smile on his face throughout. There's just something about a go-kart that brings an easy joy!

Across the road from the Farm is a county park with walking trails and we enjoyed being there too. We've been trying to get outside and walk more than we usually do in Chogoria. It's easy to find places to walk in America where no one stares at us, which is peaceful.

After our brief stay at the Farm, we headed down to St. Paul for time connecting with folks at our supporting church there (Eli's parents' church), and with other family and friends.

We had the great joy of sharing a meal with these dear friends - the former provost and president of Bethel and his wife, whom we connected with during our college years and who did our pre-marital counseling almost 19 years ago now. They have been to Kenya many times and we spent hours talking and laughing and sharing stories about our shared love for Kenya. It's always a treat to hang out with people who have been to our country of service because they have a unique insight to what our life is like there. We were incredibly filled up after spending time with the Barnes!

For the first time, we decided to have an open house one afternoon where anyone in the area could stop in and see us. Usually we run around seeing as many people individually as we can, but we simply didn't have the time for that this HMA. The only problem was that we felt like we didn't have enough time with everyone who came, but that's because there were so many people who came to see us! We were so blessed. The open house was held at the church and many people from the congregation showed up, plus some college friends and still others. It's so encouraging when people take the time to swing by and see you briefly in the middle of a Saturday!

We spoke during the service the next morning and had a great turnout. Not only were we given the chance to speak during the normal sermon time, but we were also given time for a Q&A after the service, which was well attended and went on for over an hour. Central Baptist Church is incredibly mission-minded and they have supported us so well over the years. They care deeply about us - Eli did grow up in this church, after all - and they always show up! Their literal presence to listen to us talk about Kenya and to ask insightful questions always makes us feel seen and loved.

To top everything off, the Dahlmans surprised us by coming!  Bruce and Kate were medical missionaries in Kenya for a couple decades (we overlapped with them for a short time) and Bruce was instrumental in starting the Family Medicine Residency program that Eli is on faculty with. It took years to get the program off the ground and running, but Bruce's determination and dedication saw the creation of this program realized, and it has been such a pride and joy of ours to be a part of its ongoing success. In fact, part of what we talked about at churches is the privilege of witnessing this point of the residency's history. Several graduating classes have gone out into the world and are bearing fruit for the kingdom and it's so exciting!

After church we had an afternoon with the Horn cousins, including meeting the newest little dude in the tribe, and it was so good to catch up with these wonderful folks. Many of the people in this photo were all in college at Bethel together at the same time. It's wonderful when family are friends and vice versa!

The timing of this trip was perfect because we were in town for Eli's mom's birthday. Sandi wanted to spend the morning with her children and grandchildren at the Como Conservatory, which is such a lovely place to visit. I hadn't been there in ages, and especially loved the Japanese gardens.

The kids enjoyed some game time back at the house, and we were blessed with a perfect April evening conducive for a cookout. It was a wonderful day celebrating Sandi together!

I love coming back to Minnesota. The first big move of my life was to St. Paul (to attend Bethel), it's where I met Eli, it's where we were married, and it's where all of our babies were born. We love this state and all the people here. God has really blessed us with connections we have in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.