Rick has already left the U.S. He flew to Guatemala on January 2 for two weeks of intensive Spanish study and flies January 16 to the Dominican Republic. The kids and I fly January 18--we covet your prayers for safe, efficient air travel!
As we pack up, we face the challenge of smashing our belongings into the 8 fify pound bags the airlines allow us. There are so many decisions to make. There are so many necessities and so many "extras" we want to bring.
This week the kids and I spent precious last days with friend in Rochester. We left with sadness and eagerness to get in the air and back home to the Dominican Republic (D.R.). We are taking with us many, many memories which no airline can weigh, scan, or restrict!
So many have asked how our time in the U.S. has been, and I often say it is like going to a smorgasbord with a teaspoon. You are overwhelmed by the variety, richness, and appeal while only getting of little taste of anything. Whether it was time with friends and family, visits to favorite old hunting grounds, or site-seeing it was gobble it down in a short period and move on. But we are FULL of memories and experiences that we will cherish as we return home.
There are SO many people we didn't get to spend enough time with and SO many things we didn't get to do. But we tried to enjoy every experience to the fullest. We were overly blessed by the generosity of many who opened their homes for us, gave us needed warm clothes, some specific equipment for our ministry, and spoiled our kids with treats and outings. As we faced a large support deficit, God opened his treasure chest and moved many to join our support team with what He had given them and we are once again fully supported. For all this we are full of thanksgiving.
We feel blessed that we have not had too many reverse culture shock break downs, though they have happened. When we moved to the Dominican Republic we used a lot of new skills from missionary training to adapt to the culture and we have used those same skills to re-adapt to the United States. Now we will have to use those skills to re-adapt to the D.R.
As we go back, the kids will be readjusting to traditional school, we will once again live with rolling electric black outs, poor roads, lots of noise and, hardest of all WARM SUNNY DAYS!!!! Yeah, that's right, don't pity the missionaries, we love our life!
2 comments:
Sure you had to throw "warm sunny days" in there - just when I was starting to feel sorry for you! God's richest blessings on you as you return to the DR.
Becky,
We've been missing our pal Ben soooo much! It occurred to me to google your name/country and found this blog. We pray things have gone well, especially for the kids readjusting to school and - uh - the weather. Please tell Ben and Elena that we miss them!
Love,
Amy, Isaac, Mark, Julian (and Nick) Klein on 118th Ave NW
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