I just finished a busy, but wonderful 2 week long road trip to wrap up my time in the US. I was able to visit with many people and reconnect with some whom I had not seen in years. I truly experienced the joys of Christian fellowship and am grateful to the Lord for the wonderful conversations, teachings, worship and prayer times.
I am now in the midst of long to-do lists, lots of boxes and bins, tons of laundry and much more as I prepare for the long flights on August 5th and 6th. I am excited and ready to return. Last Sunday as I sat in a church in Delaware the pastor spoke of missions and the challenge to GO and be bold without fear. I told him afterwards that if I had my luggage for The Gambia I might have driven straight to the DC airport and hopped on a plane a few weeks early. However, in the end coffee and common sense prevailed. I could not leave behind the 35 pounds of coffee in my suitcases that will serve me for the next several years.
Many have asked what I miss about The Gambia and what am I most looking forward to upon my return? The short answer is the people! They call The Gambia the smiling coast of Africa and I look forward to the many greetings and sweet times of reconnecting with those whom the Lord has allowed me to build relationships. Some have asked what I will miss about the US. I will miss Christian community, corporate teachings and worship; I will miss Amazon (it sure makes life easy) and I will miss Diet Dr. Pepper. I was reminded on my recent road trip of some of the highs and lows of life overseas. I have found Diet Dr. Pepper only 3 times in the country and each time have purchased all they have on their shelves. Several years ago after a long day of crossing the ferry and shopping with some short term visitors I was overjoyed to find some Diet Dr. Pepper so I purchased all they had on the shelves to enjoy on my staycation. Upon arrival at the guesthouse my very helpful short term visitors opened the back of the SUV to unload the groceries and I watched in stunned horror as my Diet Dr. Pepper rolled out of the car on to the cement and the cans were punctured spilling the long awaited beverage on the ground (we salvaged a couple). I did not shout, I may have shed a couple of tears and I did walk away with what I am sure was not a pleasant look on my face. As I visited these same short termers recently, 5 years after this incident they had not forgotten that day and they bestowed upon me gifts of Diet Dr. Pepper. I know many of you are thinking really, all this over soda? However, when culture shock is real, life is hard and comforts from the US can be few and far between sometimes you cling to those sweet gifts that God sends your way.
No, I am not pleased with my behavior over some spilled soda; isn’t there an expression don’t cry over spilled diet dr. pepper? However, in this I am reminded of God’s sweet love and care for me and His amazing forgiveness as well as the sweet friendships He brings into our lives (who know and honor some of my earthly pleasures) and even more I am reminded of the sweet love of Christ that I can cling to each day. The sweet love of Christ that falls and spills out on the ground of The Gambia and also fills me up each and every day. May we all cling to His sweetness more than any earthly pleasure and may we have joy in the earthly pleasures He provides.
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