Roy asked me to check the battery in my phone. As I turned it on for the first time in weeks
the customary opening song welcomed me back to the hustle and bustle of city
life. Soon I will re-engage in balancing
the ministry with a full-time job, relationships & housework.
We are preparing to journey back home.
On our last morning in Kenya I sit on our balcony
shivering slightly from the cool morning breeze. Terry McAlmon fills my senses along with the
surrounding sounds & smells of a day getting started. A small bird, aptly named the regal sunbird, comes
to rest close to the rail. I’ve never
seen such beautiful colors. Metallic
blue, green and red shimmer as a sunbeam touches down to warm its little
head. I gaze beyond her feathers to
peacefully watch the workers dig out the ground for the new addition to the
lodge. With shovels. There are no dump trucks or big, loud
machinery here. A few young men pitch
the rich red earth into mountains that will eventually be used in the gardens
or carried away in wheelbarrows for neighboring gardens. They sing and share stories as they go. There is no ‘hurry’ here. In Africa time is measured with an
‘ish’. They will be ready to begin
building December – ish.
It is an
incredibly perfect morning. I am as
relaxed as one with my personality can be.
Our work is done except for making 300 peanut butter & jelly sandwiches
for a village VBS. I hear the newly-
arrived visitors readying themselves for their outreaches today stretching with
the contentment of a cat. I will move
slowly. I will not allow tomorrow to
enter in to this moment. I want to take this home with me; these new-found
understandings that we are the ones that impress time constrictions on all we
do. I want to take the time to notice
the beauty of God’s creation each day.
To daily extend and receive Christ’s love. To perceive a need, then pause to fill
it. To be thankful for each breath
rather than race through life so fast that you just stop to catch it every now
and then.
It’s been a fulfilling few weeks. Roy & I have poured out from the depths
of our being and been quenched with the deep love of others in return. We’ve gotten filthy, laid our heads on hard
beds, cried and laughed from some unfathomable place within ourselves, given
and received, prayed and been prayed for, embraced the pain of those we cannot
help & seen the best and worst of what life has to offer. All senses on overload; wishing we could stay
and continue the work there is to do hereA, yet knowing God is calling us back
to another mission field at home.
I am blessed with this duplicitous life.
God has assigned us with 2 nations, 2 people and a heart
for many missionaries around the world. He
has entrusted us with much & will therefore give us the ability to soldier
and steward it well. Though I grieve each leaving, I am learning to also
rejoice in each coming home whether here or there.
I have turned on my phone once again.
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