Thursday, May 25, 2017

things I've been looking forward to

When we came back from the US, there were three things I had thought of that I was looking forward to. Two of them have already happened and one will happen next week. And I already have more things I’m looking forward to as well!

First, as much as I love working with Serge, I was looking forward to a couple of weeks alone in the office while he participates in a training in Kampala. I like getting things all straightened up and I think I really like that I know what to expect. When he’s in the office, I never know when he’ll be around or will have to run out to do something, so I try to be flexible and take advantage of opportunities for conversations when they come up instead of planning them and finding out that he has something that he needs to do. It has also been nice to be alone for these first couple of weeks of my practicum to get things set up and put some extra energy into that. Of course, I’m also putting double the energy into Seed, as I’m alone in handling the requests and questions and support and logistics.

The second thing I was looking forward to was the three day event called a “prayer breakfast for students” that our pastor hosts. I got to be a part of organizing it and also spoke to the students at the seminar that happened on the second day. Thirty minute speech in French on visionary leadership. Props to Mark for so much help on the translation! I also felt very satisfied that of the seven people I invited to come as adult mentor figures, six of them came! At the same time, I realized that they may have been responding to my status as a white person and didn’t want to disappoint me… One gal came who I’m really excited to get to know better. She’s a fiery and motivated lady who paid for her first year of university herself while working at an elementary school and whose family has bucked the system of paying dowry, which is really a serious economic challenge with huge negative social implications.   

The third thing I’ve been looking forward to is happening next week when an organization I like is putting on a training for local lawyers and we’ll visit some with the director, who I also really like.

Sad news, a friend of ours who’s been here as long as we have leaves tomorrow. L
Happy news, our friend who we met in Brussels and now works in Goma is coming to visit soon! I’m really looking forward to that!

Friday, May 12, 2017

two weeks after our return...

Back in our routines, here are three things Karen is loving:
- New Mexico pecans. I'm so glad we brought a bunch back with us! I'm eating them by the spoonful! And in oatmeal. And on salads...
- warm water coming out of our tap on a reasonably consistent basis! (don't jinx it.)
- pray-as-you-go podcast (http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/home/)

I'm feeling so thankful that after our time in the US, I feel like I have a reserve tank that allows me to deal with the challenges without fear of falling apart.

Also, I found more pictures to share
Karen with Roebuck nephews

When Laura made a perfect cheesecake for Mark1

backyard art

Mark is such a good uncle!

with S & M

three generations

In Texas with our sweet niece S

And then we were at the airport.