between touching down on the runway, to now, there has been a whirlwind of excitement. my family was so excited to see me, i think they could have screamed! they even showed up at the airport with canned litchi (which i have yet to try...but anything in America...litchi wise...will be lacking i'm sure)! embraces from friends that soothe the giant Madagascar shaped hole in my heart. a church family that called me and my 5 teammates their heroes. its been the most emotional week of my life...well week and a half really.
the number one question has been "how was your trip?"
lets start by saying, it wasn't a trip. i moved. my life in America stopped and my life in Madagascar began. sure, it was only 4 months long, but investing that much time in a place and its people is hardly just a trip. if you've asked me that question, i of course, forgive you...so don't feel bad.
and if you've asked me that question...my response was probably lacking what you would have expected. the past week, i have generally answered that question with a "it was great!" true statement. but that barely scratches the surface of what my thoughts actually are. and if you really want to know my thoughts, you should message me, and we can sit over coffee or Malagasy beans and rice to chat about it.
the past few days have been full of lots of internal thinking. thinking about what in the world just happened to me for 4 months. thinking about my sweet friends. thinking of the children that will always hold a special place in my heart. thinking of the Newton's and dinners at their house on Friday nights. thinking of how Jesus was proclaimed, despite the language barrier.
there have been many times the past week where i have wondered what was next. i can't answer that question. all i know is, there are people dying every day with the only knowledge of God that will send them to Hell. if that doesn't light a fire under you, i don't really know what will.
so, i went to a foreign country, and was changed. for the better. i was changed forever. changed, not only because the people are special, but changed because Jesus did a work like none other. so, my question to you is, will you be obedient to God's call? don't be scared of the life change, its good for you.
my team had a blog while we were in Madagascar. you can read all our posts at: www.heartformadagascar.blogspot.com
