Updates from the half-way mark

What a busy month March has been! From March 8-12, we hosted the Africa Region’s first regional conference in 12 years. Hundreds of people from many countries came. People shared with me some incredible stories about their faith journeys, and I left feeling energized about my work here – the work of telling their stories on a bigger platform. Rev. Scott Daniels from Azusa Pacific University in California was the keynote speaker. He was awesome! Such insightful and educational sermons. (Click here for coverage, photos and videos of the conference.)

Me and a new friend, Tembi, at the regional conference in Johannesburg.

Right after the conference, the Wards and their three boys left on a month-long trip to Switzerland. They are my home away from home, my second family. It was hard to see them go and to get used to the quiet. I moved into their home (which is just across the way from mine) to take care of their puppy, Teia. We both miss them and the excitement they bring to life!

“Please play with me!!”

But in two days my mom will join me in here in South Africa for two weeks! I cannot wait to have her here, to show her around, to go on adventures, and to do our old favorites together: coffee, running and speed mitten.

I reached a big goal today: I drove myself to work! This might not sound like a big deal, but learning to drive a manual on these unfamiliar streets has been a source of anxiety for me. I have driven to a nearby grocery store a few times, but never as far as work (even though it’s only 5 miles away). Gaining this bit of independence makes me feel more at home here.

Last weekend I went camping with some missionary friends to a place called Waterval Boven, about three hours from Jo’burg. The rugged cliffs and rolling hills are beautiful, scattered with wildflowers and aloe plants. I went with a couple of missionary families who enjoy rock climbing.

This was my first time to climb in nature. It’s hard work! Props to all you rock climbers out there. It was a fun adventure and a great motivator to work out more. 🙂 (See photos below.)

MIXED FEELINGS

I am approaching the three-month mark in South Africa. It feels like this has been my life for a lot longer than three months, but time doesn’t seem to be dragging either.

After returning home from trips, I usually feel a sense of emptiness. Especially after Work and Witness or mission trips, when I explored a new culture and had a clear purpose for a couple of weeks.

I have tried to imagine how strong this emptiness might feel after a returning home from a six-month journey. I’ve learned to adjust to a new life here. I have more self-confidence. I enjoy my alone time more. I’m not so hard on myself. I can only resolve that, even if I feel an initial emptiness in July when I return, I will learn to adjust again – not just to adjust, but to be more intentional about how I live.

There are times when I ache for the sweet things from home. The start of spring. Lazy Saturdays with Jake and Oliver. Playing with my niece. Hikes in the Boise foothills. Strolls through downtown. Coffee or Costco breaks with my mom. Sunday lunches at my parents’ with basketball or football games on the TV after. Friend dates. Concerts.

I think of these joys and I know that anywhere I go, it’s the small things that get me through, and it’s having a bigger purpose that keeps me passionate.

Camping pictures from Waterval Boven:

I’m thank for the friendship of these great missionary families!