I'm not even sure how to start this one off...I feel like that with most of these blogs...
I come home 2 weeks from today, in 8 days I leave for debrief and in 12 days the plane leaves for the States. How do I prepare, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically. Yes I can pack but how do I bring all the emotions, memories, struggles, heartaches, joys, stories, pictures, and delights of the past four months back to everyone? I feel so overwhelmed and I haven't even started my journey back. So I am now asking something of you. Please be patient with me, be slow and let it come with time. I don't even have it sorted out so how can I tell you? Fresh off the plane or 5 years from now I will not be able to answer questions like "what was your favorite/hardest part of Africa? What was the biggest struggle or most impactful experience?" I can't/won't do it. I cannot put Africa into a box. From the outside this may seem like a vacation or merely a study abroad experience but to me it was a spirtual awakening, a glimpse of God and a time when I changed more than I think I even know. So please be slow, my heart is hurting, excited and broken from living here. I am confused and excited and the stories and pictures will come, I promise, I am so excited to tell you all what it is like but I need some time. Right when I come home it will be Christmas which will be spent with family and Chris and then I will spend 2 weeks with Chris in Sacramento before he goes to Costa Rica for 3 months. And that will be equally hard for me to process and come to grips with him leaving now. My parents and I have already talked about doing a big time of sharing and showing pictures which all are invited to but it will not be until the end of January at least. I don't need things to all be figured out before I can share but I can't be as open about specific experiences until I figure out what I even feel about them.
I am not trying to scare anyone off from talking to me, even about Africa, but don't be suprised if my answers are vague or even if I start crying. And trust me, there will be pictures to share...over 3,000 of them!
On a happier note, cuz I don't like to end these quite like that...school is over for the primary schools here so my mom and dad have been a lot less busy so they are home a lot more during the day. And Joan was confirmed 2 weeks ago and her 14 yr old sister came and has stayed ever since. She is really sweet! I love her tons! Tomorrow my mom and I are going to buy a sewing machine for Rachel that I will give her sometime next week before I leave. Still no stinkin baby but please pray "he" is born before I leave (I think it is a boy, we shall see !!). Tomorrow Stephanie and I are going into Kampala to get some really cool Christmas gifts (can't tell what it is :)...) and ingredients to make pancakes for my family on Saturday morning. Then we are going to come into school and skype my family!! Both of my familes will finally meet!!
I can't wait to see you all in just 2 weeks! I'm really really looking forward to being back and not killing cockroaches (4 last night) and listening to mice all night! And finally a hot hot shower!! Yay! But most of all seeing my family and Chris and just spending time being together again!
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Hey Megan, I hope your last days in Africa are really blessed. I have been reading your blog and though it doesn't sound like Egypt was nearly as challenging as Uganda, I can definitely relate to being in place so crazy and so different from home. I'll be praying for a good finish and safe travels home.
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