(Pictures: Us with our short-termers in Kenya for our debrief, Tom and our daughter playing outside in the USA)
In many ways they were similar scenes-- both times we had two long international flights with a layover in London. Both times we were a mix of nervousness and excitement about entering a different culture and starting the next stage of our life. Both times we enjoyed the perks of international travel-- like free socks & toothpaste, hot meals and a selection of semi-new movies. And both times we said prayers that our baby wouldn’t be the one that cried and kept everyone up.
Last time we were going from home to the unknown. This time we were going from our new home to the place that was home and still is home in some ways. We were coming home to a culture that is very familiar but with which we have been out of touch with for over two years.
Two and a half years separated our original journey to the islands and this journey back to the States. We’ve had a second kid since then and our daughter (who was barely crawling the first time) was running through the airports, carrying her own little bag and making conversation with fellow travelers as we went. We are a little more experienced in traveling with kids now and we know now to value our sleep (even if they are serving a meal or they have a bunch of movies we’ve never seen).
We’re still the same people but we know we are coming back different. We lived two more years of life and have experienced two more years of experiences. We’ve all changed and we have things to learn and relearn. We’re just excited that this transition doesn’t include starting over again in language (at least not until we get to France).
PRAYERS ANSWERED
We made it! We are in the USA. All our bags made it too. The kids did well on the plane rides and we are almost over jetlag. The kids connected quickly with family and have been enjoying playing with new toys and all the attention. We had a good time of debriefing with Jeanne and Naomi in Kenya before we all went our separate ways.
PRAYERS REQUESTED
Pray for our continued transitions and travel. We’re going to be in Maine this coming week and the kids still have lots of new people to meet and to adjust to. We’re speaking at our first church this Sunday-- pray that throughout our time in the US we would be able to share about the islands well. Pray for us as we prepare materials and presentations that we would include the right information. Continue to pray for the islanders during this month of fasting.
