home sweet home...

hard to believe the last time i posted, i was in africa - and now, i'm not! it's been almost 2 weeks back in the States - though not all of it has been in south carolina...

many mixed feelings, as i'm going through this process of re-adjustment to my own culture, and a period of processing all that happened while in burundi - all that i've learned of myself, of Jesus - all that i've experienced for the first time, and what i'm supposed to get out of it all - all the ways that i've changed, at the same time that no one at home has. that, yes, is strange. i've realized, life goes on without me at home... basically the same that it always does. and here i am trying to make sense of post-Burundi me - what the Lord's trying to teach to me and tell me through it all - how this all ties in to my life and my future and my own visions and passions. so many questions, all at the same time that i'm attempting to still "be myself" at home.

for any who may have tried to call me, or who may be wondering why i have not called yet and think it's really strange that you haven't heard from me (you're right, it is) - i'm sorry. truly. and i thank you for your patience with me too. don't worry too much - i'll be back. just in need of time to re-enter society... i'm half-way in my own world that still feels strangely foreign (how is that possible?!) , half-way in the other world of burundi... where, indeed, part of me still is now.

... God is so good. in the midst of all of my crazy confused state of being right now, He gives me blessed comfort and assurance of His leading hand on my life. Thank you, Jesus.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

... could not have left Burundi properly without this verse on my heart. forever thankful for abigail for being the one to place it there my last night in Gitega, amidst my precious children gathered around me praying & being such sweet comforts to me in my sadness at leaving. moment could not have more perfectly met me in my need than it actually did. thank you, thank you, thank you, Jesus... for these people who loved me because of You.