Howellclan Connection: Deputation: We Are Home!
Queridos amigos,
We are home. We flew out of San Francisco on August 5 and arrived in Dublin on August 6. It was a surreal last couple of weeks in the States with a bout of COVID-19 and trying to get all the final details sorted before flying out, but we got it all done. Leaving the States always brings with it a sense of bittersweet. Knowing we get to come back to the land and people that we love, but also saying goodbye to the people that we love that we are leaving behind. The drive from Southern Oregon to San Francisco is usually one filled with its share of tears, and this one was no different. Even a bit more as we left our little girl, of course now an adult who we are immensely proud of, on another continent.
As we boarded the plane, we were filled with so many different feelings. Exhaustion, excitement, anticipation, wonder, uncertainty, and the list goes on, but we were ready. The time in the States was such a blessing for us. Being able to connect with as many of you as we were able was amazing. Your love and support for us while we were on deputation was a blessing beyond anything we could have imagined. I regret that we couldn’t get into all of your areas to see you face-to-face. Please know that we do deeply care about you all. You are in our hearts and in our prayers, just as we know we are in yours.
We have been home for about a week now. At first, it felt almost boringly familiar. The drive from the airport home felt like one we had done countless times. But as we started reconnecting with our friends and getting our feet under us, the sheer joy of being home started to sink in. We were here to stay. What a feeling.
On Thursday, August 8, Tricia was meeting a friend for coffee, and I went with her to go to my coffee shop and get a coffee and sit or walk around. I walked in, and the barista called me out by name and said, “It’s good to see you. It’s been a while. Do you want your Americano?” You may order too many cups of coffee when, even after such a long time away, the barista still remembers what your usual was. I walked down the harbor and out to the pier. I went down to the water and soaked in the waves. I usually try to pick up one piece of sea glass or something that catches my eye. This one was a simple grey rock with lines of white running through it. I thought it was cool, so I picked it up.
When I got back to the house, I started wondering about the geological significance of this. What I found was that these simple quartz or calcite lines are filling the cracks in the rocks caused by immense pressure and causing a fracture. In doing so, these fillers help preserve the rock from fracturing more catastrophically. I couldn’t help but think of one of the phrases that we shared with so many of you that describes our ministry in Ireland. We look for and find those people who have fallen through the cracks and fill those cracks spiritually, emotionally, and physically as best as we can. We strive to be the little white lines running through our friends’ lives. What a cool imagery. Now this rock is not getting put out back with the rest but is sitting in a place of prominence. A physical reminder for the next term. I know that you are the little white lines that run through the lives of so many of your friends and family, too.
Please join us in prayer…
For the new home. We are actively looking and praying that God will show us the right place and open the doors needed for this to happen.
For our relationships to flourish. We have begun reaching out and started to reconnect with many of our friends. Please pray that the time away will not have been a detriment.
For us as we resettle. Returning after a lengthy deputation brings with it its own challenges. Pray that we can resettle smoothly and do what needs to be done.
Thank you for being an integral part of the team!
Grace and peace, dear friends.
David and Tricia Howell
Spanish 
English (United States)