It is 1:56am and I am wide awake. After four flights, three layovers, and two time changes I finally arrived in Kigali, Rwanda around 5pm yesterday. Our ministry host picked my team and I up from the airport and with all of our big packs, we all squeezed into one tiny car.
As we pulled out of the airport, with windows down breathing in the spring air of Rwanda I could not help but think of all the times growing up I dreamed of going to Africa, and after three long days of travel, on November 10, 2018 that dream became a reality.
Tonight I’m sleeping in a little room with three of my teammates all under mosquito nets to protect us from mosquitos that carry malaria. The house we’re staying in is not far from the airport and every hour on the dot you can hear a plane fly over.
Tonight as I lay here wide awake, I cannot help but think how much I miss my people.
It’s funny really the things I thought I would miss like my bed, hot showers, and my closet… And don’t get me wrong I do miss those things, but what I miss more than anything tonight are fall Saturday’s at 112 Etowah Dr.
I miss waking up and Deddy sitting in the living room drinking his coffee watching ESPN and College Game Day.
I miss walking into the kitchen seeing Momma sitting at the kitchen table in her pjs reading her bible.
I miss the house phone ringing and before even picking it up knowing it’s Grandmother.
I miss hearing Brother and Deddy talk about the hunting club and all the big bucks they’re going to kill this season.
I miss how excited I use to get when I saw Madison Hayes’ truck pulling in the driveway.
I miss Deddy grilling out on his green egg cooking steaks, baked potatoes, and grilled corn on the cob.
I miss wearing orange and blue and watching Auburn football with my favorite people.
So if you’re reading this and you’re lucky enough to see any of my favorite people in the whole wide world (Deddy, Momma, Evan, Grandmother, and Madison Hayes) make sure you give them a really BIG hug for me!
Chasing after Jesus,
Emily Ann
