Home, Where Is It?
It’s 11:30 pm Sunday, September 21st. I’m still awake. If I was back in my other life, that wouldn’t be late for me. But here, we go to bed “early” and get up early. I especially expected to be far more tired after this weekend. I was so sick this weekend though, that I stayed in bed for a good portion of Sunday morning and some of Saturday. The cold temperatures really killed my lungs. The “cabins” we slept in were not sealed up in any way, shape or form. My body wasn’t freezing too bad, but despite how much I wrapped myself up, my lungs were still taking in the cold air. Friday night effected my lungs bad enough and then Saturday night it was even colder and my health was worse Sunday. By the time we returned to Jbay this evening, I still felt pretty awful. I finally started feeling better after a warm shower.
It’s windy here and I’m hoping that my lungs will continue to get better overnight and not be a factor in the morning. Training camp and our time here included, I’ve already had more than my desired problems with my asthma. To go to the doctor or get some medicine, would be so much easier at home. That is just one of the practical things I miss about home.
I also miss the simple things. I miss being able to text or call my best friends whenever I wanted to talk to them. I miss going to my church and seeing the people I’ve known for some time now. I miss alone time! I miss being able to drive somewhere if I need something or even nowhere if I just need some time away. I miss my family. I miss my comforts. I miss all the people I love and left in my other world. Nearly a week into my time here in Jeffreys Bay (or Jeffreys Baii–in Afrikaans), and I’m already feeling like I’ve got one foot in each world. I am feeling homesick, though I’m sure that once we start ministries things will fall into place.
Despite feeling homesick, it’s not hard for me to say that Jbay is my home now. I remember the night we drove in. We came around a bend, darkness everywhere and then I saw it: Jeffrey’s Bay, surrounded by the ocean, so small, lit so brightly in the night; there it was, my home. I think that was when it really hit me-my life will never be the same. That’s a gloriously scary thought. I’m excited to see what God will do in my life through my time here but I’m also so far away from my comfort zone. Knoxville, Tn was my comfort zone. My wonderful job was my comfort zone. West Park Baptist church was my comfort zone. My family and friends were my comfort zone.
I guess the real reason I’m writing this is to say: Good Bye For Now, to My Comfort Zone. Hello to God and all He can do when I’m not comfortable!
