I went home for a fast few days to stand up with my beautiful cousin on her wedding day. It was so awesome to go home to such a loving and supporting family. I was challenged with great questions. I was supported through the telling of the hard stories, and joined in laughter when I shared the funny and weird memories from the past ten months.
After meeting and holding nieces and nephews I love so much, and celebrating in all the wedding festivities, after getting my nails, hair, and makeup professionally done (woah, that was weird) after washing everything in my backpack, after some awesome meals at my favorite places to eat, after late nights staying up talking with my best friend, after all the family time we over packed into each day, I flew back to Haiti.
Back to my other family.
The family that’s been formed on the race.
It was really good to see them again.
It felt like coming home. I’m not sure where home is anymore. This whole experience is so weird. But I love it. In all the weirdness, one thing is sure, being in Haiti has made me so thankful for so many things. For example….
Dishwashers – when I woke up the first day I had breakfast and went to the sink and hand washed my plate, cup, and silverware. After I dried it and put it away, I smiled and thought Oh yeah…DISHWASHERS! I forgot about those. AWESOME!
Clean Bathrooms – the first few days I had to remind myself not to wear my shoes in the bathroom and shower. And it took a few days of reminding myself that you can actually flush toilet paper instead of putting it in the garbage can. The function of flushing toilets is really wonderful.
Running water – How great is that?!? In Haiti we have huge buckets we have to fill up and lug up three flights of stairs. We use that water to flush toilets, shower, wash our face at night, brush our teeth, and do laundry. When I got home and turned on the faucet and watched the water pour out, it made me stand in awe.
Washing machines – It felt so good to wash out all the soap that doesn’t get rinsed out from hand washing clothes in a bucket. My clothes still smell amazing.
Food – I love rice and beans and I actually look forward to eating that every night. But I have never been so thankful to eat a sandwich and have a root beer milkshake.
Roads and Driving Laws – All of us World Racers have talked about how we miss driving. When I got behind the wheel last week I was terrible. I asked every passenger to feel free to correct me since my only driving experience the past ten months has been on a scooter, on the opposite side of the road. Thankfully, drivers in other lanes also helped me out with their polite honking. It is so nice how everyone drives in their own designated lane in America.
Kayla 2.0 One of the best things about going home, was that my friends and family noticed a change in me. They have noticed I have more hope and joy, I’m more gentle, and I’m more myself. Which, if you read my very first blog, about leaving for the World Race, was exactly why I felt like Jesus invited me to come on this journey. To give me hope and restore to me the joy of His salvation. And he has accomplished it.
So that’s what I’m the most thankful for, the changes the Lord is making in me. The hope He has given me for His kingdom to come on earth, and not just in heaven. I’ve seen the bright light of Christ shining in darkness around the world and through it all He has been building my hope in Him.
Coming home to running water, good food, and all the conveniences of life in the US is great to come home to, but I’m most excited and thankful to come home as the new me.
One more month.
More growing and changing.
So thankful to The Lord for the hard work He has been doing in me.
And I’m thankful for all the support and encouragement from friends and family along the way.
Really, thank you. It’s changed me.
