I’m not sure what to call it, the month 10 blues or just plain and simple homesickness. Either way, the feelings are so real it often keeps me up at night or the thoughts creep into my dreams. The dreams are so vivid I can recognize the street lights on Packerland road as my mom drives me home from the airport or I can almost smell the furniture at my grandma’s house.
When I wake up in the morning I can almost taste home, it feels as though it’s in my finger tip. But, then I recognize the bug net laying on my face, and as I sit up to stretch I see a cockroach run across the floor of my room and I know that those dreams are far from my reality.
It’s month 10, 6 weeks from today I’ll be boarding a plane for the U.S. and it’s hard to stay present. It’s hard to be here.
However, despite the many emotions about the end of the race and the anticipation of home, here is a piece of gratitude from my HOME in Rwanda:
I am grateful for Mama Olivia:
She’s a spiritual mom. She fiercely and unapologetically challenges me in my beliefs. She exhausts my talents and fights for my transformation. She sees me as a leader and calls it out even when I refuse to acknowledge it.
Mama takes care of me when I’m sick which sometimes looks like walking me all the way to the Pharmacy at 10pm the night before a national holiday.
Mama makes her home feel like my home and loves me like a mother should.
My sister Sharon, oh how I love her:
Sharon is spunky and sassy. She walks with an extra pep in her step and she widens my perspective of beauty.
I’m grateful to hold her hand everyday as we walk to ministry and I’m grateful for her voice every morning when I wake up. Sharon is an evangelist and loves the Lord in the most beautiful and unique way.
Every time I smell popcorn, I’ll think of her.
Pastor James:
Papa J is a man of God who knows His role in the kingdom. He has the heart of a pastor.
I’m grateful for Papa’s high fives every day when I’ve said something he appreciates. Every time he addresses me he calls me by my name. I’m seen and loved by Papa J in a way that makes me feel loved by a father.
Team Cheetah Girls:
My teammates, they are my family. When I’m sick and ready to give up, Taylor rubs essential oils on my feet and rubs my head. When I need a word of encouragement, Edna reminds me of my strength. When I feel unqualified to get up and preach, Jaivie reminds me of the Holy Spirit in me. Jenny always knows when I’m feeling down, Cristina talks me out of stress when a hard decision is presented to me and Wendy knows how to make a girl laugh!
Gratitude, it’s a heart changing, mind shifting posture to be in. Grateful is the posture i’m choosing for my heart this month. I have a family right here in Rwanda, Africa.
What do you have to be grateful for today?
