Little Boy at the pre-school in Kenya.. snack time!

Endale - at the orphanage

Bale

Kids by the Omo River in the Kara Tribe

Its hard stepping back into your own culture. You would think the opposite. I mean you know your culture, the people, the language, the traditions, the customs... yet it is probably one of the most difficult things process and do.  

My time at home has been good and I have been able to rest and relax which has been so wonderful. Yet there are many times I struggle with all that is going on in my head. There is so much, I am always thinking and many times I cannot put into words what is going on in my head. 

Its a process thats for sure.  I am learning that I need to be able to go learn to live in both worlds. I think I have had to do that my whole life though.  I felt like someone inside that I didn't look like on the outside as a result I didn't feel like I fit in either world or culture. But maybe that was one way God prepared me for these times now and I am sure many more from now.

I have been able to edit some of my photos from my outreach which has been fun and exciting. I'll post some of my favorites.

There is now a website and blog for the Drawn from Water project we started in Ethiopia with the mingi babies. It is regularly updated and has video and pictures from the tribe, the children and the orphanage. It also has a way you can give if you feel so led to.

You should check it out, there are pictures of Bale and the other children I grew to love :)

www.drawnfromwater.org

Home

I am sorry its been so long. I feel like I have been on a roller coaster ride and now I can get off and process how crazy, scary, exciting, challenging, and powerful it was.

I arrived back in Germany on March 15 and then we had two weeks of debriefing for our teams.  Our team came back probably one of the healthiest and most together.  A lot of the other teams had really hard times and you could see it in their eyes and on their faces. We all realized just how amazing our outreach really was.  I mean, we did a lot and we were very productive.  We didn't just leave behind all the friends and projects without a foundation, we left everything running and we have many contacts who are committed to helping keep them running.  Also some of our team who have now joined staff will be going back to check in and support the people there later this year.

It is really amazing what God did through and in us. We all came back changed and with open eyes.  

As I continue to process in the next months, I will write it down here. It may take me a while :)

Actually I think I will always be processing what I did and what I saw.

I flew home on March 27 and now I am trying to find my place here again. It was hard to say goodbye to my amazing friends that God blessed me with but I know they are the kind of friends that I will have forever. We experienced a lot together and grew spiritually together which I think made our bond even stronger. 

I have to admit its hard coming back to selfish consumerism culture.  I went in Wal-Mart the other day to pick up something and there was 10 rows of Easter candy and baskets and toys things right as you walk in the door. It was overwhelming and my mind went back to all the children I held and played with who have never even tasted chocolate.  I don't want to be judgemental though and make people feel bad for making Easter baskets for their children or buying candy and stuff. We are truly blessed to live where we do and have all that we have. I believe Jesus wants to bless us and He does. Its just hard for me to find the balance between the both. I know it will take a little time and I am trying to look at everything with and open mind and see things through His eyes not mine.

Thank you to all of you who prayed for me during this time. I could feel the power of that while I was Africa, there were many times I knew I was protected.  May God bless you for that.  So as I remember stories or cool things I will post them and also the things that I learned which is a lot :)