A year ago today, Kristin and I were sitting in the O’Hare International Airport waiting for our flight to London and then, eventually, our final destination – Lusaka, Zambia. We had just had two wonderful but emotional weeks of saying goodbyes to family and friends. Now we were done with our goodbyes, done with checking in 15 bags, done making our way through security. We sat down by our Gate to watch the Packers take on the Atlanta Falcons on the overhead TV and listened to the sounds of a busy O’Hare and of my iPhone dinging, informing us of texts that were coming in from family and friends saying their final, final goodbyes.
Thinking back, it was a wonderful way to exit America, getting sweet and encouraging text messages from friends and family and watching a Packers’ game. Actually, we were some of the last people to board the plane, because myself and a group of other Packer fans were all clinging on to our last moments of being able to watch the game before 7 hours of live TV and internet blackout on the flight. It wasn’t until London that I was able to see that the Packers had indeed beat the Falcons and were going to the NFC Championship game.
So much has happened in this last year, and we are so thankful to God for giving us this year. We have loved being back in Zambia, even with its frustrating cultural moments. We have loved being with ACTION Zambia again, working along side our teammates and national workers and hanging out with them. We have loved being able to minister with John and Eta in the C.R.O.S.S. Project. We have loved being able to teach and encourage local churches with the Word of God in the area of HIV/AIDS and the Church. We have loved being back in Zambia – married this time! – and we are looking forward to, Lord willing, being back in Zambia in August with baby Dearth!
Thank you so much for all of your love, prayers, encouragement, friendship and financial support this year!! We are so thankful to God for all of you and His work through you to us!!
Derek and Kristin Dearth 
Yup! And the Packers are at it again today. Go Patriots. 🙂
So fun to see a bit more into your lives in Zambia. Thanks for taking the time to put this together and share it. It’s a great reminder of how far God has brought you! And I got a kick out of the picture of you two smiling with the manikin. 🙂