Guess what?!? I made it! It’s now just over a year since I first stepped off the airplane in the heat of My Country, not knowing anything of what to expect, what was to come, who I’d meet, what this country and these people were like, and what God had in store for me. This last year has been one of good times and hard times, weddings and a funeral, laughter and tears, working and playing, joy and frustration, peeling onions and eating rice, and stress and encouragement, but through it all God is faithful and good and has never left my side. As I’ve said before, thanks so much for your prayers and support – I couldn’t have made it through without them.
Guess what?!? My parents were just here for an absolutely wonderful visit. We got to spend two whole weeks together. The first week they entered into my life, meeting my friends, visiting my city, seeing some of my cultural frustrations, going to my market, eating my food (sometimes), experiencing my dust, and listening to me say funny things (or at least my dad thought it was funny when I said things like “I put the flour in the freezer so that it kills any bugs” and, hmm, I can’t think of anymore.). During the second week we got to be tourists around My Country – waterfalls, the big cathedral, fancy rock formations, safaris, wild monkeys, etc. It was nice to see places of my new country that I’ve never seen before, and it was a nice break as well. I’m so glad they were able to come, even though it was hard to say goodbye at the end of the two weeks.
Guess what?!? That’s not all the fun people I’ve seen this month! On Friday I finished a week-long workshop in another country in West Africa, about developing Bible lessons that will really speak to the hearts of the people we’re living and working among. Besides the good workshop and the things we’ve learned, I’ve also enjoyed meeting new friends and seeing old friends from Wisconsin, Missouri, My Country, Senegal, Tanzania, and Mozambique. Some people I haven’t seen for several years, so that’s been fun to get a chance to catch up. And speak English! And say funny things together: “That car won’t hit us – it’s too nice of a car.” “Last night when I turned on the light the cockroaches were having a party in the sink – but they weren’t the big ones.” “Well, I guess the first car decided to drive on the sidewalk and so everyone else thought it was a good idea.” “Look, today there are only 6 lanes merging into one.” See? I can remember funny things here, even if I can’t from life in My Country.
Well, thanks for reading. And for being part of my life. And if you see my parents, you can ask my parents about some of the funny things I said while they were there. Or ask for some of their bazillion pictures they took. Or sympathize with them over the return to bitterly cold Wisconsin. But thanks for being you and for the encouragement that each one of you is to me.
Great pictures!