This week we bought tickets to return to the states this summer! We will arrive in Portland August 1st. We couldn’t be more excited and yet…
A few days after purchasing the tickets Ethan was on skype with his Grandma and he said that he didn’t know whether to be excited to be in Portland or sad to leave her here in Africa. As he was saying this I was watching his face and I could see his little brain processing. Since the day we stepped off the plane over two years ago he has looked forward to when he was 7 and we would return to America. However somehow over these past two years he has changed and slowly adapted. I could tell at this moment he was realizing that it was not going to be as easy to leave as he had thought. He was excited to see friends and family and relive memories, but he knew that he was used to and comfortable with life here.
Joel experienced some of the same emotions upon arrival in England. After being here so long you forget how different life is between the two worlds and that crossing between them takes adjustment. It was weird to him to be in a land of so many choices, that ran so efficiently. He came back reminded that we will have to make an effort to adapt back to America and that it is an important effort to make.
My experience was actually at our mission when I stood in front of the microwave and couldn’t figure out which button started it. I really sat there for 5 minutes as I looked at all the pictures and none of them made sense to me. My mind immediately said, “Oh no, this is a bad sign!”
It is still crazy to me to think how this happened. How did we change so much in such a short time? How did a life that was so foreign become so familiar? How did things that were so familiar become so foreign? It was so gradual that we didn’t really notice it, but now it is screaming at us. We are so much the same and so different. We are living between two worlds and yet not in either. We are excited to take our first jump between worlds and also nervous. Will we be “those weird missionaries” or will we adapt? Will we embrace the changes that took place while we were gone, or struggle to accept them? Only time will tell…only time will tell.
Joel’s Time in England
Heyyyy cool- you DID London- so glad you got to visit there 🙂 it was a great week at the Forum, Allan and I really enjoyed meeting you and hearing about your ministry in Senegal 🙂
Wow! I like the way your friend Toby Beck expresses it. I like the Narnia analogy and the conclusion that change is part of the purpose. How wise!
I’m glad that I will still be in Portland when you come back. I’m looking forward to seeing you again too and to hearing more of your stories. You do such a wonderful job sharing your ministry with us. I almost feel like I’m living it with you.
Thank-you for being so faithful and so transparent in ways that we can pray both for you and for those you care about. Paul and Abe are often in my prayers as is Cecil and others that you have mentioned.
We will all be eagerly waiting to welcome those “weird missionaries” home when they finally get here in August. Hurry will ya. Your fans are waiting. Carolyn G
Thanks for sharing your life with all of us here. It doesn’t seem like two years have passed already. It was good that Joel was able to go to England and share with the students at the missionary training center. And the Lord did provide a coat for him. How like our Lord to fill our needs!
May the Lord bless your ministry beyond your wildest expectations.
Hugs,
Jeannette
Thanks again for being so transparent. Can’t imagine all the changes you’ve been through in two short years–yet–I know how much my life has changed in those two years. Thanks for your words & great pictures from Joel’s trip to “merry ole’ England”.
I love that question, “Will we be those ‘weird missionaries?'” I certainly hope so. I expect it is like returning through the wardrobe door after adventures in Narnia. You can’t help but be different. That’s part of the purpose. We are so excited to see you guys again and I for one am hopeful that some of the new things God has formed in you will rub off on us. Just like when Bruce and Cindy are here. Speaking of which, I think I hear their voices! Gotta go give a hug. Love to you all as well, Toby