“Welcome
Home!” What a warm greeting to hear from family and friends! But those well-intended
words also bring an uneasiness in our hearts and emotions (which you may also
have experienced). Less than two weeks ago we left what had been our home for 5
years with many who had become friends and “family”—the tears were not a few. Just
the other day, I made a comment about the weather—“so different from home” and
then caught myself with an emotional surge…Uganda is not my home anymore. As we’ve
unpacked things that have been stored and find objects and pictures from the
Philippines, our heartstrings are once again stretched—we called that nation home
for about 28 years and left behind many we love and are “related to” (spiritually
and by culture). Now “at home,” we have to concentrate as we pull out to drive—which
side of the road and which way to turn; grocery and department stores almost
paralyze us with many choices and stuff; “burn our eyebrows” (as the
Filipinos would say) as we study owner’s manuals to figure out dish washers,
electric stoves, automatic washers, etc.; shake our heads in dismay as we
overhear conversations about trivial matters and complaints. How often we’ve
had to ask help for how to put the debit/credit card in a machine (or flash it),
or what this or that means, or what trash goes in what color bag and where to
put it for pick-up, and the list goes on. In time, all will become familiar
again, but for now, we are keenly aware that we are strangers to this “home.”
Such adjustments cause us to once again raise our eyes toward heaven and
rejoice that our true and eternal home is with our Savior where there will
never again be farewells and departures!
In
the midst of all of this adjustment, God has provided Laura with her first “home”. Last year, this two-story
townhouse, part of the same quiet area her missionary aunt retired in, came up
for sale. With the encouragement of family, she took
it as God’s leading. When Ruth is in Canada during this year of Home Service,
she’ll rent space from Laura J. Several have
generously donated furniture, linens, small appliances, dishes, glasses, silverware,
kitchen gadgets, etc.—such a big help! Another friend planted flowers and shared a casserole for our first meal. We’re both grateful for God's provision and are working hard to find the right place
for everything…including those reminders of our past homes in the Philippines
and Uganda! Praise God with us for this gift…and especially for the unspeakable
gift of Jesus Christ and His promise of an eternal home with Him!!
