Well, my dear readers, we have hit the halfway mark of my time here in Africa! Can you believe it is true! It seems like I've been here forever in some ways, and like I just got here in others. I feel that parts of me have come alive here, and it is good and right. I can be more myself, without the "tyranny of the shoulds" and crazy busyness which characterized my life at home. I am more creative here, simply because I have unstructured time to be creative. And I love what I do. Obviously that is the best part of waking up everyday. :-)
But I do miss home - and all of my relationships there. I have so many long-time friendships, having lived in Jacksonville my whole life, and I acutely feel the absence of those relationships here. Even when we stay in touch using technology, that is only a small, temporary fix for missing my dear friends at home. I love my new friends I have made, and kindred spirits found, and I rejoice for them being in my life. I am reminded of an old song I learned in girl scouts, "Make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold."
But I look forward from here - learning from what I have experienced so far, and growing more comfortable in my "new" surroundings and life as it is lived here. Even walking around Bamenda, which is no where near my home here, I feel more and more confident as I learn how to conduct myself in this culture. And I find many moments where I feel "home" and "peace." But I do look forward to whatever God is leading me toward next. As far as He has indicated at this point, I am still working toward teaching in Haiti, but my time here has opened my eyes to the great educational reform needs worldwide, and how a lack of access to educational materials, especially in one's native tongue, is used as a tool to keep those who are disadvantaged and preyed upon discouraged. I do think that these pieces can play together, so we will see where God takes all of this. I am excited to see how he works all of this together for His glory and fame. I just want to be a part of His grand masterpiece of a plan!
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