Internet and The Magic Jack are two wonderful inventions! The internet and wifi has played a semi-important role for me on this journey. It allows me to email, Facebook, blog, Skype, text and use Raj's Magic Jack. It's like an international telephone through a USB gadget! It blows my mind, technology! I plugged in our internet and this magic telephone into the computer and called home.
Ring! Ring!
Ring! Ring!
"Hello, this is Kennedy Eichstadt speaking."
"KENNEDY! It's Kaleena!" I yell.
There was no response just silence, then mom saying in the back ground, "don't answer next time, it's probably a telemarketer."
'Click!'
The phone was disconnected!
Without letting this stop me, I called mom's cell phone! It's always so much fun calling home! I get a mini adrenaline rush of excitement to surprise them. Mom is always so surprised, not because my voice is so familiar that she recognizes it but that she didn't see it coming! She has no control over being able to call me. I am the only one who can do the surprising!
Back to my story, she answered her cell phone, excitement fills her voice along with a shakiness like she might cry. Stories fill the line back and forth. Her life. My life. The phone gets passed around. Kennedy tells me about their vacation and the kittens in her lap and the cake pops she is making! Dad explains his trip to Florida helping a friend move equipment. Mom shares stories about my siblings and their adventure home. Kyra and Kirby sadly were away at college classes and drivers ed and I wasn't able to hear from them. This time was still amazing! I know amazing is overused and cliche, but it was! Hearing there voices and imagining them moving about the house was beautiful and so refreshing! As we said our good byes and I love yous, there were sniffles on the other end. Mom was crying as we hung up. She didn't even have to say anything. I knew. My mommy is a trooper. Almost 11 months without your favorite first born has to be difficult! Your doing great mom! Eleven months without my family is difficult for me too! Three and a half months to go and we will be reunited! Crossing that "finish line" at the TVC airport will be a one of a kind, beautiful and a bittersweet moment!
Just because I'm on The World Race doesn't mean I don't miss home and call there! Being away for these last 8 months have been breathtaking, inspiring, challenging, beautiful, peaceful, difficult, a struggle at times, eye opening, rewarding and a giant blessing! I love seeing the world, sharing the love of Jesus, teaching english, preaching, building an orphanage, cleaning compounds, planting maize and beans, harvesting rice and leading Bible studies but I miss home too. I am in Kenya! Its our 8th month out on the field. I am getting tired and burnt out. Its all worth it, don't get me wrong. I'm just being honest. Seven months of rice, never going anywhere alone, ministry, living in community, preaching for church and not having your normal freedoms is a lot that isn't "normal" life back home. I love all of it! It just gets tiring and I'm starting to feel it. Your prayers for supernatural strength and energy would be appreciated! I'm so excited for Tanzania and Europe! I have no idea what God has in store for me there but I can't wait to find out! I'm trying to live in the present because I know that when I get home, I will wish I was back here!
The future is bright
But
The present is brighter
Live in it
Thanks for hearing my heart!
Thank The Lord for technology!
Hugs,
Kale
