I'm not about to sit here and tell you life is peachy on this side of the world. Truth is, life is not always "peachy", no matter where you live. Distance doesn't really change the fact that trials will come and try to rob your joy. It's in those trials that you must dig deep and find the joy that sustains you.
Life in a country like Madagascar is not easy. The days are hot and LONG. Boy are they long. It seems that the hotter the day, the longer each one is. I don't know how that works exactly, but that is a fact of life here. With hot days come sun that will burn your skin within moments of stepping outside...unless you're the type of person that doesn't burn. In which case, you can keep that tidbit to yourself, because it might make me give you a very large and exaggerated eye roll.
Culture wears on you. Things are done slowly. Never the "good" way of doing them...aka the American way. There is no way to blend in. I will always stand out like a sore thumb. Language is hard. Definitely not the easiest thing I've ever done. Basically, there are days you HAVE to laugh, or you will find yourself crying in the corner.
There have been many days where I have thought about the ease of life in America. Although, if I think just a bit longer, I realize life wasn't easy there either. You always see things through rose colored glasses when you miss something. I do miss home. And by home, I mean, family, friends and church....and maybe the Orlando Magic and Disney World.
All these things could bring me down. And let me not give you any idea that I'm perfect, because often they do. I find myself longing for home and those comforts. But there is something beautiful in Nationals embracing you.
I go to a few specific villages to learn culture. The residents of these areas know that and in turn, know me. I wasn't able to be with them for a few weeks, and upon my return they all said "oh! It has been a long time!" That is the usual Malagasy response when you haven't seen someone for a long time. But in a simple statement, I found comfort.
I feel like it is just the acknowledgement that they knew I was gone and missed me. It's also in the simple handshake and smiles after church. And in the big wave from the lady I buy vegetables from. And the little girl that yells "Tiiifffaaannnyyyy" every time she sees me driving down the street. And her and her little group of friends waving to me and yelling my name as I drove by...I felt like I was the most important float in a parade!
So, yes, I miss home. I miss it so much. But in the trials, in the heat of the day, I have to remind myself to dig deep for the joy from the Father. He's showing me glimpses of His kingdom, right here on earth. The days are long, but the sweet fragrance of God's goodness lingers. And in that sweetness, joy is found.
Life in a country like Madagascar is not easy. The days are hot and LONG. Boy are they long. It seems that the hotter the day, the longer each one is. I don't know how that works exactly, but that is a fact of life here. With hot days come sun that will burn your skin within moments of stepping outside...unless you're the type of person that doesn't burn. In which case, you can keep that tidbit to yourself, because it might make me give you a very large and exaggerated eye roll.
Culture wears on you. Things are done slowly. Never the "good" way of doing them...aka the American way. There is no way to blend in. I will always stand out like a sore thumb. Language is hard. Definitely not the easiest thing I've ever done. Basically, there are days you HAVE to laugh, or you will find yourself crying in the corner.
There have been many days where I have thought about the ease of life in America. Although, if I think just a bit longer, I realize life wasn't easy there either. You always see things through rose colored glasses when you miss something. I do miss home. And by home, I mean, family, friends and church....and maybe the Orlando Magic and Disney World.
All these things could bring me down. And let me not give you any idea that I'm perfect, because often they do. I find myself longing for home and those comforts. But there is something beautiful in Nationals embracing you.
I go to a few specific villages to learn culture. The residents of these areas know that and in turn, know me. I wasn't able to be with them for a few weeks, and upon my return they all said "oh! It has been a long time!" That is the usual Malagasy response when you haven't seen someone for a long time. But in a simple statement, I found comfort.
I feel like it is just the acknowledgement that they knew I was gone and missed me. It's also in the simple handshake and smiles after church. And in the big wave from the lady I buy vegetables from. And the little girl that yells "Tiiifffaaannnyyyy" every time she sees me driving down the street. And her and her little group of friends waving to me and yelling my name as I drove by...I felt like I was the most important float in a parade!
So, yes, I miss home. I miss it so much. But in the trials, in the heat of the day, I have to remind myself to dig deep for the joy from the Father. He's showing me glimpses of His kingdom, right here on earth. The days are long, but the sweet fragrance of God's goodness lingers. And in that sweetness, joy is found.
The hugs from the nationals, the statement of missing you, the simple handshakes & smiles,the big wave,the little girls yelling your name, the waves of the children, brought tears to my eyes. They love you! God has brought you a long way as you have become integrated with the locals. April/May can't get here quick enough! Pam
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