Honouring the Hutchinsons!

When we became missionaries the biggest sacrifice was leaving our friends and family; I wept so much in the lead up to us leaving as we said goodbye to those we love so much.  At the time I never considered how difficult other goodbyes would be.

This past week has been a time to honor and celebrate an incredible special family, who have been not only friends but family to us from the very beginning of our time in Cambodia.  On Saturday night Elim was honoured to host a celebration of friendship and community for the Hutchinson family who are returning to their passport country of New Zealand today.  Colleen has been a missionary in Cambodia for 21 years, its where she met her husband Adam and where they have raised their amazing teenagers, Sophie & Sam (15) and Tobey (13).

Not a family wanting to be in the limelight or seeking attention but it was necessary for all those who love them to honor and celebrate and say goodbye. It was a beautiful, relaxed evening where friends and colleagues could spend time with the Hutchinsons over a delicious meal.  Special thanks go to Angie and Melissa who organised the event; the room was beautifully decorated, the Kiwi Photo Booth was brilliant and everyone had the opportunity to leave a message for the Hutchinsons in a book which I know they will treasure.  Tobey wowed us all with her piano recital, a few people shared special memories of their time over the years with the Hutchinson family, their Cambodian community gathered around them and prayed that as they leave the country that has been their home for so many years that they will know God’s strength and peace as they transition back into their passport country.  There have already been so many answers to their prayers and we are excited for what God will do in and through these 5 amazing people in New Zealand!

This week’s blog is an opportunity for us to reflect and thank God for bringing the Hutchinsons and the Allens together at the very beginning of our journey to Cambodia.

The Hutchinsons welcomed us into their home and lives; and were our ‘go to’ on many occasions.  Colleen with her nursing background was the first person we would call when either of us were sick, and team members and staff also benefited from her medical expertise.  She would joke that all the consultations were recorded in a little black book which we would pay her with coffees when she retired!  Over the last 4 years Colleen became the nurse for Be Free, volunteering her time every Wednesday morning to teach the girls about health and caring for their children.  I know this was a highlight of the week for Colleen, and the girls thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from Colleen’s teaching.  On Wednesday we had a little party to honor Colleen and each of the girls thanked her for all the help and advice that she gave.  Colleen thanked the girls for trusting her when they were scared with the advice Colleen gave them.

All new babies (and we have had so many new babies recently) and the new Mums were given a check up by Colleen, the most recent was Baby Eli on Monday.  It was lovely to visit Nita, our Early Learning Centre manager, at home and both Mum and baby are doing really well.  Eli was such a good baby during his examination and was then rewarded with cuddles.  It was an emotional and bittersweet moment as this is the last baby born under Colleen’s watch.  Elim are so grateful for all the medical advice, love and support demonstrated by Colleen as many times over the years she would get a phone call asking if she was at home and could carry out a consultation.

Adam in his role in Prison Fellowship Cambodia gave both David and I an opportunity to volunteer during our first year on the mission field.  David carried out visits to 2 foreign prisoners, building friendships with them, taking in care packages and just being someone to share with.  I was given the opportunity to teach some English in the youth prison, and also carry out some admin work in the PFC office.  We are so thankful to Adam for entrusting us with these ministries and for always being there when we needed sound wisdom and advice.  Both Adam and Colleen shared from their own experiences of living and serving in South East Asia, checking our self care and making sure we would look after our body, soul and mind!  Adam and David would have many conversations with regard to running an NGO, and David has learnt so much from Adam’s leadership skills over the years.  Adam and Colleen would always be honest, full of integrity and we love and respect them both so much.

Adam and Colleen have raised 3 incredible young people who we have been so blessed to be a part of their lives.   Leaving our nieces and nephews was the hardest thing we had to do and God gave us Sophie, Sam and Tobey.  To watch them grow, not only in height but in character over the last 7 years has been an absolute delight to David and me.  We have always enjoyed their company, they are the most polite and well mannered young people and such a credit to their parents.  We have been thrilled over the years to attend their ballet recitals and have been the proud auntie and uncle cheering them on. Last Sunday was a highlight for me as we took Sophie, Sam and Tobey out in the tuk tuk to retreat a memory from 7 years ago.  If we were standing in the photograph they would be giants next to me but it was a photo of us sitting on the wall at the riverside.  Thank you Sophie, Sam and Tobey for bringing so much joy, fun and laughter into our lives; and thank you so much Adam and Colleen for allowing us to be such a big part of your childrens’ lives.  It was such a treat to have you all stay with us for the past few days and although we are sad that the Hutchinsons are no longer in Cambodia the beauty of friendship is you pick up where you left off and you are stuck with us whether you like it or not!  As Tennyson said, ‘it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.’

We are so thankful for the relationships we have built over the years with churches in New Zealand, from teams and pastors coming to Cambodia; and we are delighted that part of our tinerary next February and March speaking in churches around New Zealand will give us an opportunity to renew friendship with the Hutchinson family in their part of the world.  God built us for relationship and we look forward to the reunion we will have with Adam, Colleen, Sophie, Sam and Tobey!

Please keep them in your prayers that they will find the perfect home (with a guest room), for Sophie, Sam and Tobey as they attend a new school after being homeschooled for all their education to date and that they will all have amazing friends to do life with!  We serve an incredible God and we know He will continue to be Faithful in every area for the Hutchinson family!