OMS Outreach September-December 2014 | Page 14

Growing Up Dutchess When we found out that our parents were planning to move overseas to Mozambique, Africa, it really didn’t come as a big shock to us. We knew that God had been leading them in that direction for a few years. As a family, we have been on mission trips to Haiti and Africa several times. However, both of us are planning to attend college in the next couple of years, so we will not go to Mozambique with our dad, mom, and brother. Although we are extremely excited for them to have the opportunity to be missionaries overseas, it’s going to be hard to not have them here with us. Our family is really close-knit. Being homeschooled our whole lives, we’re used to seeing our brother and parents every day. We’re accustomed to them being close whenever we need something. So, this will be a tough adjustment. It is really scary to think of not having our parents and brother in the same country as us, but God is our ultimate provider. We trust that the safest place to be is at the center of his will. We both know for certain that our parents are following God’s plan for their lives. We are so fortunate to have By Emma and Meredith Dutchess, OMS Missionary Kids parents who are willing to give their whole lives to follow God’s calling. It has to be hard for them to leave behind all that they know. They are amazing role models to us in serving the Lord radically, and we’re so proud of them for always following where the Lord leads. Even though it will be hard being alone as young women, we are grateful to have an amazing, Christ-like support system around us. Having each other will also make things a lot easier. We are best friends, and it will be great to have each other close. We will be able to build each other up, strengthen each other, and be there for one another when things seem hard and we miss our parents and brother. Although this journey hasn’t been and won’t be easy, we couldn’t be happier for the way God is leading our family. We cannot wait to hear stories of how God is using them to change lives! We trust that not having our parents here will grow us, and we are both excited to see what the Lord is going to do in our lives. Throughout all of this, God is faithful and will never change or forsake us. 14