Training and Dessert Social

As I write this, I have been home for about a week now after spending 4 weeks in beautiful Colorado, USA. So many of our trainers at MTI were either missionary kids or former missionaries themselves. It was so valuable to hear them share experiences and lessons they learned from their own perspective. It was also so special to connect with other people from all over North America who are in the same season of life that I am.

Before I left, this training was highly recommended to me by others who had gone before, but no one told me how intense it would be. In 4 weeks, we built deep relationships. That doesn’t happen without vulnerability. We had so many deep discussions and so many opportunities to share what was going on in our lives and hearts. There was a day that we shared our unique perspectives of being a married husband/dad or wife/mom or single on the field and expectations we had of each other. There was a day we learned about the various stages of transition (transplantation). There was a day we discussed our values and how they might be impacted in another culture. Finally, there was also a day we all cried together as we processed the losses that would come or those that had already happened.

These days made the initial language acquisition days seem like a piece of cake. (they weren’t). However, it was so important and so valuable to learn all of these things in this unique time when we are all approaching a major transition.

Before I wrote this, I intended to write about the lessons I had learned. As I write though, I find I haven’t learned any. All of them are fluid, and ever changing. Have we really learned anything fully? It feels more like we have only learned to keep learning, to expect to keep learning and to be open for what comes, fully trusting that only God knows our future, and He is the God Who will provide.

Being in Colorado, also gave me the opportunity for some sightseeing. Colorado is a BEAUTIFUL state. Absolutely stunning with the mountains, the crisp cool air and (mostly) blue skies. One Saturday, I joined some people who took Cog Railway up to Pikes Peak. Being more than 14,000ft in the air makes you feel small! Since it was a clear day, they said we could see clear into Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming! Simply breathtaking. Other times, we walked the trails behind MTI or just looked outside of the windows of our bedrooms or the dining room. No matter where you looked, there was a beautiful view!

Lessons…?

Another powerful thing we learned that I have not shared with you yet, is how we live in paradox. There are the highs – the exciting, wonderful, adventurous, new friends, opportunities – that we look forward to, and there are the lows – the goodbyes, the pain of loss, transition – that we live with as we walk this unique path. These paradoxes are not always understood and yet, they are the truth of what we live with.

Last time I shared that it feels like I have only learned to keep on learning. Like there are lessons that I only think I have learned, only to learn that I really know nothing, and that there is still more. For example, trusting God. I’d like to say I trust Him, after all, God is in control, He has all things in His hands. However, do I really? My sinful nature wants to take over so often and prescribe things to go my way. But His thoughts are not like mine. (Isa 55:8) This is often a painful lesson that needs to be relearned over and over.

What about the lesson of grieving losses? Grief is painful, yet, if done well, it is very healthy. God created us with tears and the ability to grieve. But since it is painful, sometimes we avoid it and then it gets stuck and has no way out. Then it needs to be learned once again, grief is good. Painful, but necessary.

When we learned about our values, I wondered which ones would really be twanged when I go overseas. Due to past experience, I have some idea, but I can also imagine that I will have to relearn these over and over again. Malawians are not Canadian. And that’s ok. One day I might be totally ok with not having any personal space. Another day, it might really bother me. One day, I might be totally ok with my visitors being 2 hours late. Another day, it might upset me a lot. And yet, I will need to deal with both.

All in all, I must say, I am very grateful for the training I have received and for the lessons I am still learning. In this time at home, I am working on getting my paperwork in order to apply for the necessary permits that will be required. We will keep you posted also on the banking situation and as soon as we have information in that regard, we will update you! Thanks for following along!

Dessert Evening

A HUGE thank-you to everyone who came out to my dessert evening presentation on the 22nd. It was a huge blessing to see all of you there. It’s been a different experience being the one in need of support rather than the one who is supporting others. However, the support and love that was shown that evening was heartwarming and so, I thank you!

You could probably tell, public speaking is not my thing. But it’s good to be pushed outside of our comfort zones sometimes! However, if any of you weren’t there, or have questions that you would like answers to, please feel free to reach out. I would love to hear from you!