You know that smell when you enter an area and smell chocolate chip cookies coming out of the oven? No matter where I am I can instantly feel at home! That feeling is how I felt when I got to spend the week with Scott and Annelle Price in their home base area of Colorado Springs. The Price's are my teammates in Tanzania who were also my bridge people my first year in TZ. As a single person it has been very difficult to be separated by so many miles from my teammates. Dear friends who share a love for Africa and know what my life is like there. Not only is it hard to leave Africa but it is very hard to be so faraway from those who know the heartbeat of this journey. So, this week has been that aroma that fills my mind and heart of friends who know of home in Tanzania.
Now the one negative is that it was very cold and snowing most of our week. We were so very cold! Easter was cold but it was fun to see Price's daughter Renee' and her family. The five year old twin granddaughters came to visit in Tanzania last spring so it was fun to see them again. They were bummed that Milo didn't get to come! They now have a cute baby brother and it was fun to meet him! They enjoyed the candy perks of Easter after a very lovely worship service that morning.
We enjoyed catch up moments. But mostly it was refreshing to not have to work so hard to communicate life in TZ and the emotions of life back in the States. Now, you know I love talking about those things to anyone who will listen but there is something about having a conversation with someone who has experienced what you are talking about. It was six days of the closest thing I have to relief of the homesick feeling of Africa without making that 30 plus hour trip! They understand the emotional roller coaster feeling of tears when you think of home in Africa and have just as many tears thinking of having to say goodbye in the States again. Regardless, of the tears the heartfelt call does not change and the date to return to Tanzania will come.
Yes, to the best of my current ability I have tried to share how much this wonderful week with Scott and Annelle was to me. I miss all of my teammates!! I am glad that God gave me the foresight to realize before I even left any of them in TZ that it would be hard. It has helped balance my emotions of the transitions and allow my head catch up with the heart at times! And, yes, I have described Scott and Annelle to chocolate chip cookies but you get the picture. (There are worse things to be compared to!) The highlight I think was seeing "African Cats" together! (Just a hint the best part is at the end so don't be so hasty to leave when the credits roll!) Ummm, yes, you can smell them the chocolate chip cookies and the sensation of home the aroma brings. Let me tell you for sure that Africa does not smell like chocolate chip cookies but it is my home away from home!
Prayer Points~
- Pray for my teammates in the States (Price's & Noel's) as well as in TZ (Carters, Richmonds, Wash's and Wood's!) Though many miles separate us we are united in the call to love God's people in Tanzania!
- Pray for my homesick heart for Africa!
- I am grateful to God for Scott and Annelle who bridged my understanding of life in the States to a love and knowledge to uncover a home in Tanzania!
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