Hello Goodbye: Life of a Sojourner

If you missed my last newsletter,  last week I found out the board wanted to send me to Zambia to do university ministry with my friend Kayla. Now don't get me wrong; I am genuinely thrilled to work with Kayla and to be a part of what God is doing in Zambia. But when I first got this news, I cried. Botswana has become a home to me-- this place where I didn't plan to come and didn't realize how much I would grow to love. 

There are so many things I will miss about my life here. 

Dinner with the Warners being narrated by Riley's princess voice. Walking into the Pettigrews' coffee-shop-home and feeling peace. Hearing Andrew lead Jo Na Na. My feisty little preschool friend, Mamoinye, who elbows her way through the crowd at church shouting "That's MY Lekgowa (white person)!"  Gelato at Sanita's when I just need a break. Lunch dates with Gofaone. Noma's sweet laugh. Kasey and Allison's big ideas and compassionate hearts. Having the Mascom menu memorized and knowing when I can get freebie airtime. Doing laundry in my washer/shower contraption. Finally knowing where to buy tortillas. Lilli and Elliot's fascination with my earring collection. My bare-walled apartment that has hosted its share of sleepovers. Mastering pulling out of my supervisor's steep driveway with a narrow gate (well… almost…). Rhett, Ridge, and Reid's spot-on Setswana accents. Knowing which combi goes to church, and which one to Airport Junction. Learning enough language that I can claim, "Ke Motswana!" and people laugh and agree with me. 

Now, I will concede that gelato and free airtime are not very spiritual. But all these little things collectively have made this place feel like home. But then I started to ask myself, as I did when I was preparing to move to Zimbabwe, "where is home?" 

My home is in heaven with the Lord. And this week He reminded me of that through a verse I read, "Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers." (Psalm 39:12)

I am a sojourner, but I don't go alone. I am a sojourner with the Lord. And that fills me with JOY. I am so excited to see what he has in store for me on this next part of the journey!