Hixon House Set Up and Arrival

I can't believe December is almost over and I am just now sitting down to catch up on all that has happened this month.  We started the month getting ready for our friends, The Hixon family and Cait, to arrive.  Their container won't arrive for several weeks so a few people at CBC donated furniture and some donated money towards groceries.  It was a fun and busy week.  We are thankful for the many hands that helped. 

Thursday, December 6th we headed to Joburg.  We went a day earlier and followed the Crawford's since Debbie's parents were arriving that evening.  We spent some time at a mall and enjoyed lunch with the Crawford's and then headed to stay with some friends of ours, Johann and Stefanie, in Pretoria.  The Hixon's flight was scheduled to arrive around 6:30 am on Friday. 

Joanie teaching Brit how to play Barbies!

 At 3 am, I woke up to a message from my friend Mendi, letting me know that the Hixon's flight was canceled in London and they didn't know when they would make the next flight.  Long story short, we spent the day with with Stefanie and her kids at the Pretoria Zoo.  (gotta give Brit credit ... most of these pictures she took!)

As Friday went on, we were tracking their flight and found they would land in Joburg at 12:30 am.  So we decided that it was best for us and for the Hixon's to stay the night before making the four hour drive back to Polokwane.  Mark found a hotel by the airport and got a great price.  So we headed there, checked in and grabbed McDonald's.  About 12 am we headed to the airport, hoping they were on that flight. 
 

The Hixon's

Cait will be teaching their children.

We waited and watched as everyone came through the doors but our friends.  Around 1:30 we were just hoping they were taking long getting their luggage.  Mark decided he would go ask the security guard to see if there was a large family still back there.

  If not, then we would head back to the hotel and make a plan.  We waited another 20 minutes or so and then we saw them!!! 

Of course, there were lots of hugs and a few tears shared.  This has been a long journey for our friends and we are just so thankful to be a part of it.  We headed out to the bakkie and trailer as well as the Seminary Venture.  Loaded up and headed to the hotel. 

 Although we did stop at McDonald's for a walk through the drive thru at 2:30 am! 

 Once at the hotel everyone crashed for a few hours.  Then up for a nice breakfast and hit the road.  We arrived at their house in Polokwane at 5pm.  All in all they had traveled a total of 69 hours to get from San Angelo to their new home in Polokwane. 

We love having them here and knowing that we get to serve full time with them here through Samaria Mission.  We are looking forward to all the Lord has planned!