All Good Things Must...

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We arrived home safely on the evening of Dec 1st. Are acclimating to the 5F temp of this morning. Olivia went off to school this morning. It is difficult to express what this journey has meant to us. If you have ever watched "StarTrek: Next Generation" it's like the episode where the Enterprise comes upon a probe in space and Capt. Picard is zapped and experiences a whole life on another planet--he has a family, he plays the flute, he's a scientist, he grows old and when he awakens he's back where he was, but he's disoriented, because he had this whole other life.
I am back in MN, but I do not want to forget this other life.
I want to remember it, all of it, and I am afraid I will start forgetting.
Thirty cent bottles of Coke at Susie's (the little store down the road); the smell of Desitin in the diaper changing room at the baby home; Mt. Meru; 8:00 am worship with the 18 or so men of ADRA and one or two women and singing "Joy to the World" in Swahili; dala-dala rides; body odor and smoke from burning; Moses' and Helen's love for each other; dinner at Fatina's; ugi and ugali; mangoes and bananas; conflict with directors; roses from Max; electricity and water going out; Phase 10 card games at night; safari and Zanzibar; screaming children (Amina and Jailos); happy, happy children (Yasini and Dafroza); clothes drying in the sun; Justin the Masaai security guard's happy face; dancing while singing hymns in the Anglican Cathedral; big Maria's deep and hearty laugh; Benny's love for shoes; children saying "chakula" (food); and my heart softened by a little boy named Philipo, who will be four in February and is HIV+.
I also must remember that Tom, Olivia, and I spent months together in close proximity, so much time together, something that would never happen here in that way, and although it was not always easy, we are better for it. Tom clearly won the contest for changing the most poopy diapers and Olivia for making the toddlers laugh by doing magic tricks and pulling rocks out of all sorts of bodily places. I remember the first time walking down the hallway in the baby home and a little hand reaching up to hold mine. Totally trusting. Love for God was close and visible in ways that don't exist here. I remember hearing the call to prayer from the local mosque at 5 am, and reading messages on the back of dala-dalas like "Gonna make you scream His name," and seeing people walking down the road on Sunday afternoons holding their Bibles and wearing their very best clothes. Saying good-bye was filled with tears.
There were many people who supported us and prayed for us. In particular I want to thank Dr. Paul Erickson who I emailed so many times with medical questions and who directed me to such good resources; to Deb and Kathleen at St. Mark's; to my new found friend Elizabeth who understood so much of this and to my cousin Laurence who prayed for us in so many ways every day. And Susan Kennedy who generously took our two mini dachshunds into her home.
Salama,
Anne

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Photos

Magic Tricks
Olivia doing magic tricks with toddlers

Olivia and Benny
Olivia and Benny

Bubbles
Tom blowing bubbles

Anne and Philipo
Last day with Philip

Mt. Meru
Mountain behind the baby home

Comments

[Deb]

thank you
Thank you for taking us on this journey with you. I know that there were times when it was extremely difficult to get to the internet due to logistical issues, fatigue, whatever. Your efforts are, and have been, truly appreciated! Welcome Home!