Tag: Home Assignment Page 11 of 15

No Such Thing As Strangers

On March 11, 2010

To my children, there are no strangers.

We have visited dozens of homes and churches and people in the last 4 months. And of course, everyone already knows who they are. Everyone is a friend. Both Grace and Josiah will now hug and kiss anyone on command. In fact, they will do so even not on command. When they are leaving a home, they automatically hug and kiss everyone in the room. They’ve figured out that’s just what you do.

This does have some ill effects. At the park one day, Grace asked a total stranger to push her on the swings. At Disneyland last week, my kids socialized with everyone around them. (“My name is Grace; What’s your name?”) I’m kind of surprised they didn’t start hugging and kissing them as well.

They’ve loved it. Quite often when they pray, they thank God for their new friends.

What We’ve Been Showing

By Amy Medina

On March 6, 2010

In Other

The Lure of Other Paths

By Amy Medina

On March 1, 2010

In Other

When it’s all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth?
Did I live my life for You?

I love being home. I love seeing my family all the time; I love seeing my kids interact with their grandparents. I love being with an amazing church family and so many friends. I love all the options in grocery stores. I love not feeling sweaty all the time. I love being able to sleep at night without fear of armed robbery.

We’ve done a lot of traveling these past few months; all over California. We’ve visited so many homes in many cities. And there are times I feel the pull of this life. Wouldn’t it be nice to live closer to family? Wouldn’t it be nice to live in a small town in the California mountains? Or downtown in a big city? To have my own house? To be able to attend a Bible study for moms?

It does attract me. Long ago, in college, I couldn’t fathom the idea of living in the States. But now that I am married and have kids and have spent a number of years trying to figure out how to live in a third world country, I must say that this life lures me. A couple of weeks ago, as we were on a long drive through the beautiful Northern California mountains, I asked God, “Don’t you want to call us here?” But nope. No call. Not even a smidgen. I couldn’t think of a single reason why God would want us to live there. It was kind of disappointing.

So, I am packing my bags. I am dreading leaving, but I am not dreading going back. Times like this are good, because they make me evaluate and re-evaluate why we are doing what we are doing. Why we would go halfway across the world away from our families and only get to see them every couple of years. Why we would purposely choose a low salary (by American standards only) and be willing to deal with electricity problems and heat and mosquitoes and a culture that we do not understand.

So why is that?

Because it is a perfect fit for us. Because there is a need that we can perfectly fill. And that makes us called.

And thus, I remember

That this life is not all there is. Heaven is yet to come.

That joy comes through sacrifice.

That by losing my life I will save it.

Piper writes, “Missions is gain! Hundredfold gain!”

Amen.

When it’s all been said done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I’ve done for love’s reward
Will stand the test of time

(When It’s All Been Said and Done by Don Moen)

Catching Up

By Amy Medina

On February 20, 2010

In Other

My brother so politely reminded me the other day that I haven’t been doing much blogging. It’s true. I’ve had blogger’s block. I guess life in the States just hasn’t been giving me as many topics as life in Tanzania.

We have about 6 weeks left of our Home Assignment. Time is going by fast–as it always does–but it has been productive and full. We’re having a great time. Our hearts have been rested and rejuvenated and filled with love and fellowship. Here’s a synopsis of our activities:

Presenting: Our main “job” while in the States has been to update churches and supporters on our ministry in Dar. So far, we’ve done about 22 formal presentations. We have at least a dozen left. We’ve gotten a bit tired of hearing ourselves talk, but we have to remind ourselves that people listening to us haven’t heard it 21 times before and hopefully still find us interesting. We’ve also had lots of other informal times of fellowship with people.
Preparation for Presenting: Slideshows developed, prayer cards put together, etc.
Scheduling: See above. Each presentation takes at least 3 or 4 emails each to get set.
Doctor and Dentist appointments for all of us.
Shopping. Massive shopping. I love this, but I am a pretty big cheapskate so it’s hard for me to spend so much money at once! I have to remind myself that I’ve hardly bought anything other than groceries during the last two years, so I’m making up for lost time. What am I shopping for? Clothes in the next two sizes for the kids, new towels, birthday decorations, chocolate chips, Parmesan cheese, pre-school activities for Grace, wet wipes, taco seasoning, school supplies (soccer balls and uniforms, graduation supplies), a juicer, a DVD player, tick repellent for the dogs, sunscreen, hair spray…. there’s more, but that’s all I can think of for now. Some of these things are available in Dar, but it’s so much cheaper to buy them here. We get to take 12 pieces of luggage with us on the plane (for free!), and I guarantee they will all be full!
Traveling. So far we’ve been to San Dimas, Santa Clarita, Moreno Valley, Long Beach, San Jose, Redding, Concord, and Quincy. All I can say is, thank goodness for those little DVD players that attach to the back of the car seat! Josiah is not a good car traveler. Barney helps significantly.

Let’s see. What else? Lots of great family time. Making up for all the time without grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins. Celebrating lots of birthdays even if it’s not that person’s birthday. (When we celebrated Grace’s birthday three weeks later with my family, Grace said, “It’s my birthday again? I must be turning five!”) I’ve been taking advantage of all the extra family members around to try to get ahead (or rather, caught up!) on my MA classes. Oh yeah, and Gil and I finally started watching “Lost.” Very important, you know, for re-entry into American culture.

We’re soaking it all up. I struggle with the lack of routine. My kids no longer have a schedule or a regular bedtime, but I remind myself that this is just for a season and really, they are doing great. Some days are really busy, but other days are not. My husband is more relaxed than he has been in a long time. God is good. He is filling us up and getting us ready for the next season.

Ladies’ Man

By Amy Medina

On February 1, 2010

In Other

Last week my family came down to join us at Disneyland. We had gorgeous weather, short lines, and a marvelous time, but Josiah definitely stole the show this time.

He refused to go near any of the Disney characters. He wanted to see them, but only from a distance of about 5 feet away. That is, except for the princesses. He was definitely into them. Loved blowing them kisses.

My brother and his wife

Would he go anywhere near Mickey Mouse? Of course not.

But Minnie Mouse? Well, seeing as she is female, he wanted to give her a hug.

Daddy made sure to man him up a little bit with some sword play.

And when it got cold that night and we put him in the Tigger costume? Well, my goodness, we couldn’t keep the ladies away from him. Or anyone else from that matter. We had to keep a close eye on him to make sure no one stole him. Not much is cuter in this world than a two-year-old at Disneyland in a Tigger costume, obligingly bouncing to stay in character.