As you can imagine, for Mary Aspinwall living on her own is still quite an adjustment. The house is much too quiet, and cooking for one is no fun at all, and yet she is finding God to be very near and dear. Listening to worship music is helpful, particularly from the country where Clark and Mary served, it really touches a chord in her heart.
Before Clark passed away, they both realised that it would be healthy for her to make a trip to Southeast Asia after he was gone. There are so many there who also love and appreciate Clark and making that connection once again would be good for Mary. This month she will fly out, returning in November. While there, she will be with their daughter and family, spend time with the church in the city, attend the field conference, visit with the Lawa people where she grew up (this will also be reconnecting with them after the passing of her Dad in March), spending some time with the Bru people, and ending her time in the capital with her sister, as well as some of the Bru people who are now living and working there. It will be a busy time, but she is really looking forward to connecting with everyone again.
Mary has been enjoying opportunities at the missions training centre where she lives in the USA; helping with childcare, helping to clean the guest facilities, and joining a mentoring team for more interaction with a small group of students. It has been a wonderful community for her to be a part of. It’s also a beautiful campus with lots of room to walk in nature which has been very therapeutic.
In all these things she is really sensing her Gentle Shepherd leading her slowly and gently. He is not in a hurry, and Mary is trusting Him to lead her one step at a time. She KNOWS He will faithfully carry out His part faultlessly!