So, I have been back in the USA for two weeks. Look at the gorgeous flower that welcomed me at
This is my second (and final) home assignment for this
work. I find myself comparing my trip
with the last time (in 2014) and with experiences/places in CAR/Cameroon. I am sure that is natural.
People are welcoming and hospitable (in all places I have
been). I am particularly grateful to Pr.
Paul Schaur who as been the epitome of generosity. I am currently staying in his house in Wilton,
ND even though he has gone to Seattle with the youth group for 10 days. He also lent me his car – as he did two years
ago. Between the time he offered it this
year and my arrival, though, he got a brand new Chevy Malibu in a very
attractive barbecue red color – and he lent it to me anyway!
Pr. Paul’s daily walks (and his dog Sansa, some of the time)
have inspired me to go back to regular walks.
I like going in the morning, but evenings work too since it stays light
until close to 10 p.m. There are things
that remind me of CAR. On many roads
there are few cars (in both Here’s one road I shared only with the birds… There are grasses that seem similar to me –
although some in CAR get much taller than those I have seen here. Some roads are unpaved. The major difference there is that ND “dirt”
roads are graded and covered with gravel.
They are in great shape. In CAR there
is little to no grading and multiple long rainy seasons cause many more pot
holes, ruts, and much more difficult maneuvering. Still, sun rises (and settings) are inspiring
in both places. This picture of a ND
dirt road was taken about 7 a.m. ND and CAR).
As last time, I attended synod assembly. (Well, in 2014 I was in WND’s assembly and
this year I attended the one in WND and EaND.)
Lots of people have been interested in learning about EELRCA’s work and
my life there.
I even saw a couple of
friends I knew from Cameroon, June and Phil Nelson.
Last time, I stayed in the southern part of the state (along
Route I-94) in Bismarck, Valley City, and the Fargo area. This year I visited these same cities, but have
also gotten to the northeast area and am now visiting more of western ND. I have been to three Lutheran summer camps,
too. I even have a couple of days to go
to Jakelle Cornell’s mother Jane is hosting
me.
How am I adjusting? I
am. It is not always easy to be visiting
so many places in a short time, but it isn’t particularly hard to be back in US
culture (after all, I have lived the majority of my life here). I think often of my work and friends in
CAR. I would be anyway, but they are in
the forefront of my mind since I am talking about my work and experiences
there. I miss the people I worked
with. I expect that will increase after
my home assignment visits because I have done this before and then gone back to
CAR/Cameroon. This time I will return to
Pennsylvania and find a new mission. (No, I have no idea yet what that will
be.)
Transitions take time.
But sharing the work of EELRCA and my life with these dedicated people
helps.
