Home away from Home

I arrived back in Rwanda a few weeks ago from my two months holiday in the States. It was an interesting transition after spending a few months in a developing country. Great to be with family and friends, but an interesting change of pace from life in Rwanda. I went through a period of "reverse" culture shock where I was completely overwhelmed by the extravagancies and seemingly unnecessary luxuries of American life. And then I somewhat adjusted back to the American way of life after a few weeks, although I felt a little guilty for the adjustment. I think everyone who has been overseas for a while probably experiences something like this. The experience changes you, and you want to believe that you will stay completely changed for good. But that is just how we are, we adjust back to what we know, to what we call home. Although I felt myself becoming slowly accustomed to the culture again, I did feel as though the change was rooted deep enough to take hold. I had a new perspective, a broader view of the world and what my purpose on this earth really is.

And now here I am, back in Rwanda, ready to start the adventure again. But this time I will not be doing it in solitude as I was the first few months I was here. Now I have six lively new roommates, all Bridge2Rwanda volunteers who will be working in some capacity to serve the people of Rwanda. I am thankful for the time I had here alone and I felt the Lord truly taught me so much about myself, about Him, and about His people. But now I am thankful for community. Community makes you grow in certain ways that you cannot possibly do on your own.

Here is a pic of our new household in front of our lovely house....Kelly, Mark, Griffin, me, Peyton, and Kat. We are missing our "dad", Bob, in this picture:)

Check out a video about our new volunteers....Real World Rwanda! It is quite entertaining.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-3jaiHqA1c

I have been so welcomed by my Rwandan friends upon my return, from my students at Sonrise meeting me at the airport and inviting me into their homes to my children in the village who formed a welcoming committee to greet me when arriving in the village (you can see that in the top picture:). I am back to my home away from home!