No part of me can believe that I have been back in America for a month. This concept blows my mind. Every time I wake up, I feel the need to wake up from my dream, to wake up under the safety of my mosquito net. To already be drenched in sweat, even though the sun just rose. However, I am no longer in Uganda. Slowly this reality is setting into my mind.
Adjusting has been interesting. I have learned that store clerks do not appreciate it when you try and bargain. I mean come on, I am giving your business plenty, the least you could do for me is give me a good deal! I also had to teach myself how to drive all over again. Speed limits. Traffic lights. Stop signs. Traffic police that are not just stationed in one place. These all seem so foreign to me once more. But praise God! I was able to purchase a Subaru Legacy last week. I named her Sandra, and she will be an excellent car while I am still around. I am excited to see where she will take me!
I have been in Vancouver with my family for the past month. I do not know many people from this area. I never lived here, but I have enjoyed being able to share my passions with people I have never met before. I have a vision of working with families in East Africa. I want to work with at risk children in an attempt to keep them out of "the system" and keep them with their families the way God designed it. Only God knows where these connections will land me. In any matter, they have kept my passion burning. I cannot wait to return to Boise, where I can start putting my dreams into action. I know God has a mighty plan for this next leg of my race, and I am anxious to accomplish it.
Because of my African obsession, the subject comes up with complete strangers. People at Dutch Bros (my long lost love), stores, random people where I need to come up with small talk (read my last blog to find out why that is bad). More times than not, the people will say how cool it would be, and then segue-way into, "Well, that is great and all, but people need help here too." I am trying desperately to work on my social skills, so a keep my mouth closed. But what I truly wish I could let out of my mouth is this: "That is so true! So what are you doing about it?"
I never understood how people use that as a, "well, you shouldn't be doing that" kind of response to my time in Africa. It is true, America needs help too! There are homeless people searching for warmth through these cold winter months. I went with my mom to court for an incident they were involved in. A homeless man had been arrested for breaking a restraining order. He said, "I did, but I was trying to get to the alley where I sleep. It was cold and I just wanted to get to any kind of warmth quickly." Does that justify his actions? No, but it reminded me of the reality of homelessness here in America. Plenty of children are at risk of poverty, abuse, gangs, and so many other unimaginable circumstances. America has some serious needs as well. The needs of Africa do not cancel out the needs of America, but the opposite is true as well.
No matter where I am in the world, I want to be serving those I am around. I do not hold still well.... at all! I want to help those in need. I have no time to waist in sharing my Jesus with all I come in contact. But my reality is this: God called me to Africa. He gave me the personality and traits needed to be a missionary. I feel I bring God's name the most glory when I am serving Him in Africa, or am on my way back. This does not lessen my need to serve those in need while I am Stateside. I have an equal obligation. I do not want to shy away from that obligation simply because I rather be walking the red dirt roads of Uganda.
I cannot wait to see where God's journey will take me through my time in America. I know He was a plan. I continue to adjust, and will be at it as I keep moving and putting my life back together after it was so graciously wrecked in Uganda. I am sure, one day I will wake up and remember I am in America. On that day, I will find myself back in Africa.
Adjusting has been interesting. I have learned that store clerks do not appreciate it when you try and bargain. I mean come on, I am giving your business plenty, the least you could do for me is give me a good deal! I also had to teach myself how to drive all over again. Speed limits. Traffic lights. Stop signs. Traffic police that are not just stationed in one place. These all seem so foreign to me once more. But praise God! I was able to purchase a Subaru Legacy last week. I named her Sandra, and she will be an excellent car while I am still around. I am excited to see where she will take me!
I have been in Vancouver with my family for the past month. I do not know many people from this area. I never lived here, but I have enjoyed being able to share my passions with people I have never met before. I have a vision of working with families in East Africa. I want to work with at risk children in an attempt to keep them out of "the system" and keep them with their families the way God designed it. Only God knows where these connections will land me. In any matter, they have kept my passion burning. I cannot wait to return to Boise, where I can start putting my dreams into action. I know God has a mighty plan for this next leg of my race, and I am anxious to accomplish it.
Because of my African obsession, the subject comes up with complete strangers. People at Dutch Bros (my long lost love), stores, random people where I need to come up with small talk (read my last blog to find out why that is bad). More times than not, the people will say how cool it would be, and then segue-way into, "Well, that is great and all, but people need help here too." I am trying desperately to work on my social skills, so a keep my mouth closed. But what I truly wish I could let out of my mouth is this: "That is so true! So what are you doing about it?"
I never understood how people use that as a, "well, you shouldn't be doing that" kind of response to my time in Africa. It is true, America needs help too! There are homeless people searching for warmth through these cold winter months. I went with my mom to court for an incident they were involved in. A homeless man had been arrested for breaking a restraining order. He said, "I did, but I was trying to get to the alley where I sleep. It was cold and I just wanted to get to any kind of warmth quickly." Does that justify his actions? No, but it reminded me of the reality of homelessness here in America. Plenty of children are at risk of poverty, abuse, gangs, and so many other unimaginable circumstances. America has some serious needs as well. The needs of Africa do not cancel out the needs of America, but the opposite is true as well.
No matter where I am in the world, I want to be serving those I am around. I do not hold still well.... at all! I want to help those in need. I have no time to waist in sharing my Jesus with all I come in contact. But my reality is this: God called me to Africa. He gave me the personality and traits needed to be a missionary. I feel I bring God's name the most glory when I am serving Him in Africa, or am on my way back. This does not lessen my need to serve those in need while I am Stateside. I have an equal obligation. I do not want to shy away from that obligation simply because I rather be walking the red dirt roads of Uganda.
I cannot wait to see where God's journey will take me through my time in America. I know He was a plan. I continue to adjust, and will be at it as I keep moving and putting my life back together after it was so graciously wrecked in Uganda. I am sure, one day I will wake up and remember I am in America. On that day, I will find myself back in Africa.
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