Another Arrow in our Quiver

Aaron is at a training course this week.  He's taking classes from 8:00 till noon, then they break for lunch, have classes until dinner, then some more class time until 9:00ish.  The sessions are teaching on differing elements of agriculture, water, power, soil quality, irrigation, and he also has time to access their library full of books covering many topics that are appropriate for food production and nutritional improvements in Tropical climates.  He's bunking with another guy, Tim, who has been a great source of encouragement and support.  Tim is a full-time missionary and has been willing to challenge, question and provide a lot of helpful input for the benefit of our family at this stage of our preparation.  Praise the Lord for Tim's openness and ability to challenge us in the ways that we need it!
A few months ago a good friend who has spent time with people all over the world shared with us the most commonly expressed sentiment from his interaction with missionaries on the field.  Be prepared for the isolation and loneliness that is to come once you are mobilized.  We've been in Georgia for 6 months, and have yet to make 'friends' with other families here.  We have prayed for fellowship opportunities for the kids, and been waiting for God to answer our prayer.  So far, His answer has been to not provide friendship through same-age kids for our three.  We have met several families, and people have generously connected us to other families, but when the actual day comes to get together- something always goes wrong!  We are trusting that there is a purpose to this pseudo-isolation, and we are so glad to have lots of wonderful cousins in the area, but for the kids, no same-age or same-gender kids leaves us to really look forward to letters and phone calls from home! The funny part is that Aaron, who doesn't have an intense need for time with people, is getting a lot of fellowship, encouragement and interaction!  Trusting that each day is in preparation for the next, the kids and I are hangin' in there and trying to be thankful that we have one another, without being too jealous of Aaron!
Our express purpose for moving to Georgia was to become ready to be mobilized, and brought out of our comfort zone in preparation for overseas ministry.  We trust that the Lord is filling our 'quiver' with the arrows that we will need when we enter the field, to be used for His glory.