Question: What do you miss most while you are in Africa or away from the states?

Answer: I live quite comfortably on the Africa Mercy, I cannot complain...  I have learned that what we as humans may want... I don’t really need. And what I need is a lot less than I thought… I have everything I need. It helps that I absolutely love what I do… I rarely have time to think about what I don’t have. But, for your entertainment…Since being home, there are some things that I realized I sort of missed while I have been away…

My Top-Ten List of things I’ve sort of Missed

1.    Bath Tubs- What an amazing invention! Something really missed when one doesn’t feel well.  One time my Irish roommate and best friend from the ship wasn’t feeling well.  Considering I am a nurse, I wanted to comfort her and help out.  So, I asked Jane if she wanted to take a bath. Her pale face lit up and she said, “Yes, but where? We don’t have bath tubs on the ship?” With a compassionate tone of voice, I told her, “Go into our shower, run the water, and sit on the drain.” Okay, maybe that was a less than compassionate approach, but after Jane finished yelling at me, she laughed her head off. Laughter is the best medicine! I am thankful to have bath tubs again!  

2.    Couches long enough for me to stretch out on

3.    Fresh fruit- Especially berries

4.    Milk products- Never thought I would say that one… I grew up on powered milk, so I thought I could handle any milk, but I was never able to adjust to the boxed milk on the ship with a shelf life of like 100 years! I am thankful for real milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream!

5.    Driving fast- I’ve missed driving fast. It’s not the speed limits are low in Africa… but there are too many potholes, goats, or small children running across most roads that by the time you reach any significant speed, you must slow down so you don’t hit anything.

6.    Changing seasons- Although I have been complaining about the cold; fall and winter are actually my favorite seasons.  Perpetual summer is HOT at times!

7.    Unlimited access to food- This is actually dangerous!

8.    Salad- But you already knew that

9.    Walking down the street unnoticed- Although, this is one of the things that makes me saddest about our country, our independence and disregard for others, I do enjoy walking down the street or being in the grocery store without having someone yell, “White woman… give me something… help me… take me to America… take me to your ship!” Yes, sometimes I like to live a typical “normal” life.

10. Home- I put this one in there for all of you that may feel offended or hurt that I haven’t mentioned missing my family or home… I love my parents, friends, church families, and adopted families across this world, you guys are amazing! You are the ones that have given me roots and wings. You have provided me with financial support so that I can go where God wants me. You are the ones who taught me the definition of “home.”  But I don’t miss home.

This is something I think I wrote a few months ago and maybe it will help you understand where I am coming from… I think it was an exercise that I had to write when I was at Gateway in January 2009. Something I would want said of me when the Lord takes me home… “A mother to the motherless, although Laura traveled frequently, ‘home’ is something she brought with her, simply by being who she was.”  I truly feel I am at home whenever I am with God’s people, wherever I am, home is something I carry with me in my heart.

I know many of you have been wondering what I have been up to lately. Well, I have been sleeping, resting, sleeping, visiting many of you, sleeping, and traveling to Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania,  New Hampshire, Vermont, and finally to Idaho where I am currently. I have been spending many hours stretched out on the couch and enjoying many of the things I told you I’ve sort of missed!