It’s been so nice to hear familiar voices. This past week Scott and I broke down and got a SIM card and minutes for our unlocked cell phone (thanks Jay E.). However, the amount of minutes we bought would buy us a half hour of Swazi minutes, but only 5-8 minutes of international air time. The best part about these phones is that you don’t get minutes detracted from receiving phone calls (like in the US).
So, Scott and I have heard from Mom and Dad A., as well as Steve and Michelle (my brother and sister-in-law, who are expecting in a couple of weeks!). It was midnight when Scott first heard the ringingof the phone. For sure I thought it was about 4 am when my groogy head lifted off the pillow. Scott was saying “your parents are on the phone”. Mostly we talked about buying plane tickets back to Boston from LAX, when we finish the Race. They also told me that I need to continue wearing my white (brownish) Red Sox hat in all group photos, so they can pick me out of the crowd.
When my brother called, it was about 6:30pm, and Scott and I had just finished eating dinner, and were snuggling into our tent for some reading time. It has been really nice to have our tent as a safe haven from community while in Swazi. I found out how my brother and his wife were spelling their newborn-to-be’s name, and talked a bit about seeing them around Thanksgiving. And talked about the state of Swaziland quite a bit. About the AIDS epidemic, etc. Needless to say, we covered a lot of territory, and ended up on the phone for over and hour. (Ouch, sorry Steve and Michelle!) All that said, I’m not expecting anyone to talk to us for an hour, nevermind at all. It was nice to talk to folks back home though.
Halfway into this journey is the perfect time to start investing more time into relationships back home. We fully immersed ourselves in World Race culture for the first 6 months, without actually speaking to anyone at home (besides emailing). We didn’t even Skype. But now we’re really excited about hearing voices, reconnecting, rejoining, preparing for the return. We joke that the only thing we want to come home to is Sequoia, but it’s not true. It’s good to make people laugh, but the fact is, hearing the voices from home makes me more and more ready to see them.
That doesn’t mean I’ve thrown in the towel on the World Race. In fact, I think I’m investing more into it, than I ever imagined I’d give. Since debrief here in Swazi, Scott and I have been given a new “title” or role. We are helping chad with the pastoring of the B squad. Because it was hard for Chad to connect with everyone on the squad, and still do the other duties his role requires effectively, Scott and I have started to fill in that spot. I’m not sure what that really looks like since the whole B squad is split up for the next 6 weeks. And even if we were altogether, how does that change the face of ministry? I feel as though the ministry is really turning into the girls on B squad (and maybe other squads too?). Not to say I won’t be joining in on what God is doing in these countries, but I feel my primary role is to use the giftings that are coming alive in me for the betterment of the squad. That’s what God was trying to show me in Mozambique, so now I’m faced with actually walking in those giftings. A little scary, but I’d rather be fully alive, than fully afraid.
On a side note (and this has absolutely nothing to do with the above topic). I tried to email my sister, but the email got returned to me. Heath- if you got the loong email I sent you and Mike, great. If not, here’s the shortened version… HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!! I can’t believe it. God has blessed you with 13 (!?) years together. I’m blessed to have a brother-in-law who I don’t consider an in-law, I’m blessed to have a sister who prayed in earnest for a baby sister, and 8 years later received the answer to her prayers. (Prayer works!!!) I blessed to have siblings who know that love is a verb, who, every day, commit themselves to each other. I’m blessed to have 3 gorgeous nieces who have 2 parents who love them. I think of them often when playing with little African orphans, and I know how good they have it. I pray the joy of the Lord over your whole family, as you celebrate your many years together, and we’re excited to see you when we return inless than 5 months.
One more announcement: I wanted to wish my cousin-in-law, Julie, a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (I know I’m a little behind, but I couldn’t find your email the other day when I was in my email account.) Again, Jay is a blessed man to have you in his life, and you are a blessed woman to have a man in your life who provides for you with everything that he is. Thank you for your friendship! (and could you shoot me an email, so I can store your email address?… I’m such a dork!)
I guess all of this is kind of intertwined. I want to be a part of relationships, whether here or at home, as I suppose this is where I come alive. May all of this cause me to bear some good fruit, and cause others to feel loved, respected, and bear some more good fruit. Every day is another chance to give my life away, right?
