Well Scotland was amazing! I am so glad that I was blessed to be able to have that experience.
I have to say that the first day was very overwhelming. The girls that we stayed with live about a block away from the biggest shopping center in Scotland. Sam and I spent our entire first day in that place. Let me tell you... It was beautiful and strange and scary all at the same time. By the end of the day I was so exhausted and overstimulated that I could barely carry on a conversation. Reverse culture shock is really strange.
It was so wonderful to spend time with some loved ones that I hadn't seen in a really long time.
one of the greatest things was to be able to spend time With Amy Jo Smith. She was my AIM assistant in Lubbock and she spent her AIM time in Albania and in New Zealand. She had a very similar experience in Albania as I have had so far in Zambia. We had a lot to talk about and it was so amazing to be able to talk to someone about the experiences that I have had here in in Zambia and have them completely understand every emotion that I have been feeling.
The first morning that we were all together we had a devo and sang. It was amazing. The singing was absolutely stunning. We could have all been singing off key but none of us would have cared. There is a special bond that I will always have with these people and being able to join their voices in praise again was so sweet to my soul!
The first day of the retreat we got to take a train up to Edinburgh. I absolutely love that city! It is a beautiful place. From the cobblestone streets to the castle overlooking the city it felt like stepping back in time. I could imagine myself living there long ago. The highlight of my day however, was meeting a William Wallace impersonator. He was raising money for cancer research. His costume was terrific. He even had a sword that was almost as tall as me which apparently is historically accurate. I managed to get a peck on the cheek which my classmate Evelyn Galvan happened to catch on camera ;)
The weather was very cold while we were there. Some of you might have seen it on the news. Scotland got the worst snowstorm that they have seen in something like twenty years. I was loving it!! although I had to buy a sweater and gloves and a hat because I had no winter clothes and I about froze to death!
It was so wonderful to have a break but by the last few days my heart was tugging me back to Africa...I missed it so much. Having some time off and being given the perspective of looking at my ministry from the outside has renewed my resolve to be here in Zambia. I love this place with all my heart... but mostly the people. I missed Stella and Michael and Michello and Nzoe. My heart is at rest now that I am near them again :)
The trip back home was harrowing. We had to spend the night in the Glasgow airport the night before our flight because of the weather. Once we did get on a plane we had a seven hour flight to Nairobi, Kenya. Once we were in Kenya we had a twelve hour layover. Two nights in an airport. Definitely an adventure. We were so so glad to be home but totally exhausted when Michael picked us up at the airport. On the way home...we got stopped by the traffic police for speeding...which we weren't doing.. but Michael sweet talked us out of a ticket ( he is a good guy to have around). We finally got home and I fell asleep soon afterwards. I am pretty sure I slept the better part of two days. I am so relieved to be home and I have gotten right back to work. Starting Monday I am putting on a Vacation Bible School for the kids in our community. I am really excited but also nervous at the same time because I have never done on before let alone all on my own! I am expecting about 15 - 20 kids :D
Lesson- There have been a lot of lessons over the last week or so. But I think the biggest is embracing the changes that God is making in my character and in my life. Being back in my native western culture/environment really put all of that into contrast for me. I came to recognize some new and beautiful things that HE is working in me.
Passion- Find what you love! Let your heart lead you to love in the greatest capacity that you can! God created our hearts to be wild and untamed, searching and yearning for Love! Your heart wants to find that love the God has weaved into His creation for you. I am so blessed that He has made His love so evident to me ! The Gospel of John has a lot to say about LOVE!
John 13:35
Cally Jane
Cally,
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good time in Scotland, but even happier that you are so glad to be back in Zambia. Your blog makes me remember my time there and has me looking forward to being back in May.
Keep on keeping on!