Mission Trip Season!

It’s that time of year when students, retirees, relatives, and families are making their plans to participate in international projects around the world. These can be construction, disaster recovery, education, medical and a zillion other kinds of projects. This year I am joining a team going to Paraguay for a week of medical clinics in rural areas. We will be collaborating with the Baptist Medical Center of Paraguay in their ongoing community outreach to rural areas. Places which have limited access to medical care and families who could not afford care even if it were easily available. I love going with the Medical Center because our week will not be a hit or miss experience for the community. There is an ongoing presence for follow up, there are referral sources already in place. The help is not just for a day.
The team will hold medical and vision clinics at five sites, working hand in hand with our Paraguayan Collegues. I love going because this is God’s work and I get to join in.
These trips are costly especially to countries which are not usually on the “tourist track”. My total costs will be $3000. The costs include travel to Paraguay, transportation and housing in the country, medicines and supplies for the clinics. I have $1800 so far! If you want to join in supporting this project I am happy to tell you more about it. Just send me a P.M. or email me at djones46@outlook.com. Whatever you decide, join in someones project this summer. It makes a difference. It is God’s work.

New things going on

I haven’t been out and about much lately. When Don and I returned to the US in early December, I have been “transitioning”–which means basically I have been sitting around trying to figure out what to do! I have been trying to figure out what I can throw myself into with passion. It has been hard, but I have found one thing. It is really a combination of a new thing and an old thing. Those always seem to be the best kinds of things to grab onto.

I have agreed to serve as a board member on the Paraguay Baptist Medical Center Foundation- Now before you tune me out as this being boring and uninteresting, please hear me out. The Paraguay Baptist Medical Center has had such a profound influence on the physical, spiritual, emotional health of thousands of families in Paraguay–They have done good work helping many!
But more importantly I feel a deep connection to this place, to the staff and friends who I began a relationship long ago. It was where I really learned how to do community health in practical ways, with compassion and holding fast to my faith. It was where my second child was born, three weeks after arriving in this new country. It was the place that took care of my family and so many others when we were ill or injured. It was the place where I made deep friendships which have held together over time–because they are rooted and grounded in a common faith and purpose.
For decades this place has maintained a focus and purpose that I can align myself with… Serving with compassion, faith and hope. So I am joining with them from this side of the world–to work hard to see this place continue to provide care for people in need in my beloved second home of Paraguay.

If you want to join me in this endeavor, check out their  website    or send me a message–I will tell you more about it!

2015

It seems fitting to have a last blog of the year, on the last day of the year.   This year we spent time in five states and in four countries.   We struggled with decisions to change our place of service after a wonderful term in East Africa–We left to return to Latin America, only to be faced with an agonizing decision to accept the Voluntary Retirement offered by the organization we had spent more than 22 years serving.

We returned to live in the US one month ago, with little clear direction as to what the future holds for us.  To call this a year of transition seems to be a gross understatement.   And while it seems simplistic, the only possible response I can have for all of this is gratitude.  Gratitude that we are near family for now; gratitude that we have sufficient education and experience to assist in our search for new jobs; gratitude for children who will let us couch-surf and for churches who provide us with temporary housing;  gratitude for the opportunities we had to walk through so many parts of this world.

So while I will not say that 2015 has been an easy year for our family, we end this day with gratitude and hope.  Let’s see what 2016 brings

You Can go Home again!

As I write this, Don and I are packed a ready to head back to the US in less than 48 hours.   It is not the kind of trip back we anticipated.  Rather than just a trip home for the Holidays to see family (really just to see baby Olivia!) we are returning permanently, ending this stage of our expat careers.   We are facing the “voluntary retirement” that so many businesses, nonprofits and religious organizations have always faced.  It is only different because it has impacted us!

You might think that the title of this blog refers to returning to our home in the US–The home of our Passport!  But after having spent more than 20 years living away from the US in 4 different countries, we rarely think of our various “returns” to the US as “returning home”.  We love our family, friends, and our culture (mostly), but living away has made us different people.  We are never quite at home in our passport country.  We love the conveniences, the language (except really,  the bad grammer?  Come on!).

As young adults we became “world citizens” or “expats “and are far more comfortable in that role.  Home is defined almost exclusively by relationships.

We learned last week that sometimes you can return home again and it can be so Amazing!  We made a trip to Paraguay–the place we lived for sixteen years– and the place we were unable to return to for 16 years!  Poetic somehow that timeline!   But we returned home!  Despite the progress, changes, and the passing of so many years, we were home!  We laughed, prayed, cried, worshiped and ate and then ate some more!

It was that ideal paradox of facing enormous changes in each of us—but also feeling as if we had never left!   It was the best of the “family reunion” experience (without the jello salads and the old family quarrels).

What a gift we were given-to see face to face so many who have loved us for so long!  Those who knew us from way back when!    As we return to the US, to “Home” there, we take with us the love and compassion of one of our other homes.

You see in this journey, where home is not determined by geography, or borders–but determined by relationships we will be at Home where ever our suitcases take us!

 

 

Some of my friends who live in the US often think that I am pretty adventuresome merely because we have lived out of our home country for more than two decades of our adult lives. For my friends who live as expats around the world—this doesn’t seem at all unusual.   And just to clarify, I am not very brave or adventuresome. I am often anxious, nervous and hesitant to try new things.  I have just learned to push through and keep trying.   Many in my family just see that as stubbornness.

We spent 8 months in the United States this year—and decided not to return to Kenya.   It has been a difficult season in our lives-We loved Africa and treasure the friendships we made there.  We loved the adventures.  And despite the difficult security situation, we were not living in fear.  We just learned to be wary—and the stress of caring for those dealing with many of the insecurities of life there changed us.    As we tried to figure out our next steps—it was through much prayer, counsel, tears and angst-we came to the decision to accept a transfer to Panama.   Nothing could bring us more joy than the opportunity to return to Latin America, but nothing brought us more pain than leaving our children and grandchild again.   It was a time of grief coupled with excitement about the next steps in the journey.  For me it was really mostly grief.

Four days before we left the US this time our organization announced that they would be offering Voluntary Retirement options for field personnel.  This is an organization that we started our overseas career with, and returned to when it was time to leave the US four years ago.  It is people and a support system that we know, respect and love.   Of course with tickets in hand, and details of the plan not yet released, we knew of no other option but to continue on to Panama.   During the last month we have received the details, received our offer and agonized over the decision.   Both Don and I very much like to finish things—and how could we finish in Panama when we just got here?   We couldn’t really get started on work, we couldn’t go very far on getting immigration done, if we were going to be leaving soon.  We couldn’t find permanent housing and purchase household goods if we would be gone by December.   If we choose to remain, what will our role be and will it fit our gifts, skills and abilities.  If we return to the US, will that mean we will never live overseas again? This situation is not what we expected—it is not in our plans—and the what if questions abound.

And while I still don’t know the answers to many of these questions and I wonder why we came to Panama to be asked to voluntarily consider retiring,
leaving just a few short months after arriving I am confident that there are more adventures ahead for us.   So yes, we are returning to the US before the end of this year—and for now to live there.    No, I don’t know why we needed to come to Panama for such a short time.   Yes I am excited to be with my girls more often.  And no we have no idea what we will be doing as of December 1, 2015.  And yes, I am pretty nervous about that.  Being unemployed is never a pleasant thought and as “middle aged” adults it is even more uncomfortable.  And no, not knowing where we will be living and what we will be doing does not fall into my definition of an adventure filled life.     And yes while I am here these next few months, I will do everything I can to build eternal relationships, to listen compassionately and to speak Truth at every opportunity.   That’s what being a Christ Follower is about.   So that’s the biggest yes and ultimately the most important.

Learning to be a grandma

I have been a grandmother for ten months now. I didn’t know I would take to it so well, but I must say that thinking about my new role consumes a lot of my free time. Much of my focus is on every detail of this amazing baby girl, whose every movement, expression and giggle is pure joy. When I raised my own girls, it was a marvelous thrilling journey, but often as the parent you are so busy with the overwhelming responsibility of your child’s future resting on your shoulders that you miss so many of the “moments” of childhood. I don’t live near this grandchild, but I do everything I can to savor the moments. I Skype with her every chance I get, I write her notes and letters, and I tell everyone who will listen (and even those who won’t) about each new trick that she learns.
How can one little girl have the power to make a grown-up woman literally blow raspberries at a computer screen. I have thought about this and I can’t come up with any logical explanations–except for the power of the future. It is probably only when you are a grandparent that you begin to get a grasp of what the future means. When you are younger you are building for your future– your career, your family, your life.. but you are so busy building that you don’t see what is right there. Now I can see the future– in this one little girl-who each day learns a new amazing thing. I can celebrate the future that is here right now with a laugh and a clap of my hands with this gift of the future. Right here and now. I am still learning to be a grandma, but I am on my way.

Taxi-ing in Africa

I am probably the worst blogger ever, since I can easily ignore my blog for months at a time, with absolutely no guilt. But I am back and my apologies to those who have missed me. If you haven’t missed me, that’s ok too.
Since Don and I moved to Africa, taxi rides have become a big part of our lives. Most often these trips are to and from airports in various cities and in various countries. There are a lot of things I have learned from taxi rides. Here are ten that really stand out to me.
1. Check the gas gauge before you leave in the taxi. It will always be just above the “E”, but it is important to judge carefully if it is far enough above the “E” to get you to your destination. This requires careful calculation of the distance, estimated time to be spent in traffic, as well as fuel efficiency. Or you can just take the drivers word that you have enough and pray that you make it.
2. Sit in the back if you are alone, unless it is raining. You should then sit in the front seat, so you can help keep the windows wiped off. (It is unlikely that there will be functioning wipers)
3. Avoid sitting by the door that doesn’t seem to close well. If all else fails sit in the middle
4. Keep the windows rolled up and your door locked. Obvious reasons! Unless of course it is hot!
5. You can learn many useful things by listening to the taxi driver. “there is no hope if Ebola is spread through sweat– African’s sweat all the time “the Al-Shababs are really messing up everyone’s business”. “Don’t ever go out after dark, unless of course you are using my taxi” “Always dress appropriately in Africa… not like the tourists.”
6. Whenever the taxi driver tells you it is a short cut it is probably just a face-saving gesture for a wrong turn.
7. A taxi really can drive on a pedestrian-only bridge successfully.
8. Just because the brakes and transmission are going out, doesn’t mean the taxi can’t make one more trip to the airport.
9. If the taxi driver refuses to take you to a certain part of town, it is probably best to follow his advice.
10. Getting to know taxi drivers in various countries and airports–can be the start of some great relationships and lead to some great conversations.

Busing it in Zambia

 Recently Don and I were working in Zambia for a couple of weeks.  We always enjoy our time there partly because of the beauty of the country and partly because it is such a calm and peaceful place compared to our beloved Kenya!   While  there we decided to take a trip to see Victoria Falls, located on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.   Now having seen the massive Iguazu Falls in Brazil and Argentina many many times, I was prepared to be a bit un-amazed.  But I was wrong– it was an amazing place and the falls were incredibly beautiful.   This blog is not so much about the falls, but about our trip to the falls and back.   We decided to bus it– a trip we expected to be about 5-6 hours.  We have bused many times in South America, so we felt prepared for this kind of experience.   Friends had told us to take the “luxury” bus; but because we couldn’t get to the bus station in Lusaka until around 11 a.m.  we really had no option but to take the next available bus.  It was the basic bus— but not on the lowest end of the options for travel (as determined by the fact there were no animals traveling on the bus).   The bus filled and the conductor again checked everyone’s ticket for the third and fourth time.  On one of these checks he wrote the number down wrong– which necessitated his rewriting new tickets for us to match the number on his clipboard.   As the bus pulled form the bus station a young Zambian man stood up and asked the passengers if everyone was in agreement with him praying as we started our journey.  We were OK with that– and after a lengthy prayer he also began to preach a sermon…  It was a bit loud— but no problem– then he took an offering!  A lot like many church services I have attended around the world.   All in all an entertaining first 20 minutes of the journey.   Then the music started… we listened to Zambian folk music for the next 6 hours  (the last hour or so of the journey was part of a European movie with a similar story line to Rocky).   The bus stopped frequently to let passengers off or pick up more… The bus as I said was fairly nice with reclining seats like an airplane— and much like many airplanes they were broken…so your seat would either gradually recline over time as we hit potholes, would not move at all, or would fall all the way back.  Don spent most of his time gradually drifting back until his head was practically in the lap of the passenger behind.   Finally we arrived that evening to Livingstone, well after dark… and found our way through the maze taxi drivers trying to grab fares– negotiating our way through the crowd trying to grab luggage from the underneath compartment and made it to the hotel.  After grabbing a quick meal at the Indian restaurant down the road we crashed for the night.  We spent a great day seeing the falls and on the Zambezi river.   Throughout that day we asked various times at our hotel, our taxi driver and other random people if they knew what time the bus left the next day. The closest we could come to a time was that it left at 7 a.m.  — which meant our taxi driver would pick us at 7 a.m.?   Needless to say the taxi we had arranged for didn’t show, so when we called an awoke him– he said he was sorry, but his car was broken… He would send another.   We arrived at the bus station in good time and while Don bought the tickets, I and the Taxi driver conversed over his job prospects in East Africa, with Jane taking his number and promising to SMS if I ever found a job for him.  Even though I told him this was not possible, I took the number– because who knows, I might need a taxi in Livingstone again.  Don said ” there is a business/luxury bus leaving at 9 or this bus at 7:30.”  Well it was 7:20 and we were already at the bus station– so why not?  We had already done the trip once   We bought our tickets, climbed on and found our seats– almost to the very back.  The bus filled about halfway– with many folks dressed in their best for church.  Most of those got off in the next town– and more passengers joined us.  A large group of 10 or so women and children climbed on the bus and headed all the way to the back…We couldn’t figure out where they would sit.. as they filed past us.   But sure enough the 5 seats across the back of the bus can easily hold ten!   Actually it can hold 11— as at the next stop a young lady got on— who when she couldn’t find her assigned seat- the conductor escorted her to the back row— had the 10 people divide in the middle and scoot to either side…”this is your seat, madam”.   I didn’t mention that the entertainment on this bus consisted of hour after hour of Celine Dion with some occasional English praise and worship music thrown in.  It also included our group of 10 women and children behind us talking nonstop. Don felt if we had just a few more hours– we could have made real progress in learning–whatever language it was.   This bus driver drove “like a bat out of hell”; so we were hopeful that we would actually arrive to Lusaka in a timely manner…. But alas an hour or so from our final destination — the bus stopped by the side of the road for no explicable reason.  Lots of people got off and went to the bushes for a “comfort” break— so we assumed that was the purpose. Don even joined them… and on his way back overheard the discussion in low tones between the conductor and another passenger. The bus was broken and wouldn’t be going anywhere… but that another bus would come.  About an hour later a bus stopped in front of us… and word passed among the passengers that we were to alight and join that bus.  I grabbed my stuff.. and we pushed and shoved our way toward the front trying to get off– We almost reached the door and the word started coming back “there is no room and only people without luggage in the compartment can go.”   So we found our way back to our seats.  Waiting a bit more, until the bus started up and began to inch forward– word drifted back  “we were going to try to make it to the next town”.  Arriving at the place where buses stop in the next town– we waited for another 15 minutes or so– until we saw our replacement bus headed our way. We disembarked… and Don said- go get seats while I get the luggage.   That was a scramble  but he finally got our two small bags and helped all the other passengers get their luggage transferred and joined me on the bus.   It was the LUXURY bus…. with wide comfortable seats,  plenty of legroom and wide aisles!     It would have been so totally worth the extra $3.00 per person to wait and take the luxury bus.  

Merry Christmas

Christmas in America with family and friends is wonderful— But it also seems a bit overwhelming.     I love all our family traditions and love being here.  I am looking forward to attending Christmas Eve church, opening gifts and eating Christmas dinner.   But I am still overwhelmed– by all the shopping, eating, and busyness and of course the COLD.   Who thinks Christmas in winter is a good idea?   The whole place is covered with ice!    And the food!  Why do I have to try everything?   But it is so good to be home and to be with Liz and Megan– to enjoy time laughing, recalling previous Christmas’ and making new traditions.   It has been a long and busy year and we have had so many challenging days.   It is good to breathe a bit, to rest and to remember why we celebrate this special day.   “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is Given”……..  “And His name shall be called Emanuel, God with Us”

Merry Christmas to all of you, our friends, family and colleagues, wherever you may be in the world!

 

Returning

I am a horrible blogger, I admit it.  I can’t get into sharing every random thought that pops into my head and if I wait for the profound things to say— Well then my blog remains silent.  Two years ago Don and I left the U.S., our jobs, our adult children, our friends and our church to move to Africa.   It has been a long and often difficult two years.   Our work  mainly consists of walking alongside people who are experiencing difficult days.   I am in a constant state of grief- with our friends and colleagues and our African brothers.  We rarely have the answers that will resolve any of the myriad of  issues that occur- all we have is our presence to stand alongside.   The kinds of crises that people have faced have included crime, terrorist attacks, accidents where the loss of life or serious injury occurred, political unrest, difficulties with children, loss of parents, grandparents and friends, and intense cultural adjustment.   Add to that the stress of living in primitive villages or the insane urban centers of  Africa– and our folks have gone through a lot.  We have had friends leave Africa, because the stress became too great.  They were physically, emotionally and spiritually spent. It was hard saying goodbye and we wait eagerly for their return someday or for the chance to see them on the other side of the Pond!    Africa is beautiful, wonderful, insane and terrible all at the same time.   The people are generous, kind and hospitable– but the ever increasing crime makes many want to stay locked in our house at times.   The sheer energy and time it takes to accomplish daily living or to run errands wears me out.  The suffering and violence and needless loss of life to things such as  tribal warfare, Malaria, and vaccine preventable diseases always give me pause.  I want to say– “hey wait we know how to take care of some of this stuff– We don’t have to lose so many people over here.”  The babies who are abandoned and arrive at the Limuru Baby Home– cause me to grieve for the suffering they have already endured in their short lives  but rejoice for the love and care that they receive in this place.     It is with mixed emotions that we return to the United States tonight— We are more than excited to see our children and friends.  We can hardly fathom the prospect of being grandparents in January.   And honestly the thought of returning to orderly traffic, safety, and shopping makes me giggle.    But I am sad too— I will miss my Kenyan friends, my colleagues, and the babies.   I will worry that as crises continue to happen to our folks, we won’t be here to stand with them.   I know that stuff will happen– and I know it won’t be good.   But ultimately it is not in my hands, but in the One who provides a way.   And we are tired.  So we look forward to a long visit in the US, lots of time with friends and our girls, rocking a new baby and resting a bit.  Don’t worry we will be back in Africa soon with renewed energy and hopefully words of encouragement for those we are leaving behind for a short time.