Hawken's Update - Marriage!! And Back to Work...

Dear Friends and Family,

Hello again! In the last two months, the Lord has blessed me in some incredible ways. I'll give a brief summary of these last months, and then share some pictures. 

• Em and I traveled from Senegal to Kenya on Nov. 30th

• Most of my family and Emily's family arrived to Kenya by Dec. 11

• Em and I got married on Dec. 12th in the Maasai Mara

• We then spent Christmas with Emily's family until...

• Honeymoon in Kenya! This began shortly after Christmas 

• Em and I return to Kijabe for our last week in Kenya on Jan 10th

• Flight from Nairobi to Dakar on Jan. 16th

• My little brother (Josiah) came to Senegal to visit us on Jan. 17th! 

How was/is God working? Here's a few of them: 

He allowed Emily's brother to arrive in Kenya the day before the wedding when he and his wife were delayed because of covid test troubles. 

He is teaching me how to receive the extravagant, generous and free love that has been showered on me by my family, Emily's family (who is now my family), and Emily herself. 

He blessed our wedding and honeymoon SO much! Proverbs 16 says that "in their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps" (verse 9). With a two month engagement, a global pandemic, family spread around the world, and a venue FAR from Cleveland, Ohio, the Lord blessed and established our plans for a wedding in 2020.  Nothing is impossible with God! 

The Lord is continuing to challenge me to lay aside fear. If you're curious about this one - reach out to me! 

Arriving back at BeerSheba reminds me of the challenging work ahead. I am excited and nervous to dive back into the animal program. Exactly what God is using this work to teach me... I'm not sure yet! We will see. 

The Lord is showing Emily and me more about the favor he has for us, His children. 

Here are some pictures of what I've described above!

  Day 1 at Rift Valley Academy - Em's childhood home 

Planning a wedding during this time felt kinda like this.

Wedding fun!! Wedding photo cred goes to the incredible 
David and Ari Shirk! Here's their website.

When you get married in the Maasai Mara... 

God gave us an incredible sunset.

The night before the wedding

Christmas with the Kinzer's!
This was my first Christmas away from the rest of my fam.

Honeymoon on the Kenyan coast! 

My little brother, Josiah came to
Senegal the day after we got back!

You're welcome, Josiah ;)

One more just for fun :)

Here are some Prayer Requests: 

• Pray that the Lord would lead Em and me into what's next after we finish our time at BeerSheba and with Echo in May. 

• Pray that the Lord would lead us in this newlywed season that we are spending abroad. 

• Pray that God would be glorified in the work that we get to do here at BeerSheba. 

• Pray that God would help us to understand and live into the favor that we have from Him in Christ.

Thanks SO much for your faithful prayers. Throughout all the travels, plannings and newness, Emily and I have felt incredibly supported and prayed over. 

Love,

Hawken