People Watching

These last few days Joe and I have been at the airport several times.  Which allows me to do something I enjoy doing; people watching.  Watching people as they wait for loved ones, friends, co-workers, or the stranger they were tasked to fetch from the airport is interesting study of people and how they interact. 

I enjoy watching people as they exit the doors of the secure into the area where everyone is waiting for those arriving.  I also enjoy watching those waiting.  Two children between the ages of 7 and 12 gave what appeared to be their dad a tackle hug when he emerged from the sliding doors.  Others greeted their loved ones with flowers, balloons, and signs.  Some were greeted with running hugs and others with a simple handshake.  Still others were greeted with a sign with their name on it and person tasked to drive them to their resting place or their next adventure.  It is also interesting to watch those that are arriving.  Some walk confidently knowing who is picking them up and where they are, others are returning home and their car that is parked somewhere at the airport. Others are clearly exhausted from their travels and unsure of where they are and who is picking them up. Others arrive in large groups expectant and ready to start their mission work, service project or vacation. Others look around excitedly for the family members they haven’t seen in days, months, even years.

My favorite is watching kids as they wait for someone to come out of the doors.  There was one little boy while I was waiting that was clearly very excited about being at the airport.  As people exited with their carts of luggage he would run in front of them as if he was racing them or as if they were chasing him. The look on his face as he repeatedly “played” with the passing strangers was fun to watch. Some would play along and really act they were chasing him, others would smile at him and his family waiting nearby, some would ignore him, some were frustrated with him, and others looked around for the person responsible for him.  No matter the reaction of the person before he kept this big smile on his face and he would circle back and greet the next passenger with his chasing game.  Generally no words were exchanged except for the laughter of a little boy making the most of the minutes and hours spent waiting.

As I was sitting and waiting and watching I was reminded that all of us are faced with choices. Just the same as those arriving to Johannesburg had a choice in how they reacted to that little boy.  We all have a choice in how in react to the situations, people, challenges and triumphs each day. 

1 Thessalonians 16-18, reminds us to “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

So today whatever your situation try to choose joy.  Smile and laugh at the little boy passing time playing a game.  Even when the storm clouds are looming chose to find a silver lining in the clouds. Find something everyday to be thankful for, to smile about, to find joy in.  When we do that slowly it becomes easier to find more joy..

Until next time: Just because your toddler chooses something off the menu doesn’t mean that he won’t change his mind in the short time it takes to make said food choice.  I never really understood the saying “you can lead a horse to water but can’t make them drink” until I had a toddler…

Transition

Transition is a big part of our lives.  Goodbyes/See you later’s are not constant but at times it feels like it.  We love our lives here and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. We are also aware that missionaries aren’t the only whose lives are filled with transition.  However, it has been on my mind lately and so I thought I would share a little bit with our blog readers about the transitions in our life. 

Here are a few examples of the transitions that are a normal part of our life.

Part of our ministry assignment is to host Work & Witness teams (aka short-term missions teams.)  For 7 – 14 days we immerse ourselves in a new “family” and help that new family navigate the new place they find themselves.  We also spend time preparing before they come as well as following up after they leave with the local and district leaders. 

Other aspects of our ministry mean that usually once a month we are traveling for at least a weekend if not more.  We enjoy being out on the field and hearing and seeing what God is doing in and through the church.  But it comes with planning and a certain number of transitions. 

Part and parcel with being a missionary is the coming and going of missionary families.  It would take more fingers that I have to count all the Missionary families and volunteers that have moved in and out of our city and lives in the 3.5 years we have been here. 

Every 2 years we spend 3 months on Home Assignment.  We travel throughout the US sharing the story of what God is doing on the Africa South Field.  Which is a blessing but also comes with it lots of preparation, planning and lots of transitions. 

Not to mention the normal transitions that comes with life, marriage, parenthood and ministry.  Peter is now 28 months old and transitioning into a more independent (yet still very dependent) stage.  He has moved to a big boy bed and is starting to potty train.  He has friends and he asks for them.  He still needs a nap but he thinks that he doesn’t.  He has opinions and will gladly voice them as well as his displeasure when his opinion is not followed.  He is also able to hold a conversation, loves sitting and being read to, he loves to be outdoors and is generally a happy, easy going toddler. Who for the most part handles well all the transition and adventures that are a part of our families lives.

This has been on my mind lately as I watch friends and colleagues navigate transitions in their own lives.  Friends who are awaiting the birth of another child, friends who are changing ministry roles and places, friends who are dealing with loss and what that means for their family, friends who have moved or are moving, just to name a few.    

On Sunday we had a time of celebration on the Africa Region.  We were celebrating the new role that Dr Fili Chambo has in the global church.  While we are excited for the new role we are also sad to see him and his family go.  And we pray for them as they make the transition from South Africa to the US.  We also celebrated our new Regional Director Rev. Dany Goray for them as they make the transition from their lives in Senegal to South Africa.  There have been great days in the continent of Africa and there are great days ahead. 

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As the lyrics of the song “Closing Time” remind us “Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end.”   Beginnings and endings come with them a host of emotions.  However I am also reminded of the words of Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” 

So whatever transition you find yourself in remember the good of what is behind and look forward to the good of what is to come.  Always remembering that God is with you.  

Until next time:  Remember toddlers have amazing memories (for certain things).  Several times we have walked to a nearby shopping center where they have ice cream cones.  Yesterday Peter wanted to go for a walk and Joe let him lead the way.  Guess where he led the way to; yup to the place where we get ice cream.  He was quite sad when he found the doors locked and lights off. Also he clearly got his sense of direction from his father not his mother. 

Vacation

Vacation

The last few days here in Johannesburg it feels more like Fall than it does Spring.  The weather is rainy and chilly.  It is a day made for fireplaces and pumpkin spice lattes.  But since my access to either of things is limited I will return to reality and remind myself that a short while ago Peter was in the pool for swimming lessons.  And soon the days will be warmer and filled with all things summer. 

Last week we had a wonderful vacation about 45 minutes from our home.  We have found a place that we can leave our caravan set up.  This will allow us to go there over the weekend and get away.  The cell coverage is not so great which is actually nice as it forces us to be disconnected.  There are places where we can get coverage so a couple of times a day we would check in and handle anything that needed to be handled.  Otherwise our phones were more used as cameras and a time checking device. 

We had a wonderful time as a family just being.  With no TV, internet, or phone services to distract us we were able to focus on each other and on the beautiful creation around us.  We spent a lot of time outside.  The caravan park has a pool, a river, a playground, a trampoline, sheep and dogs that roam around, and lots of big open spaces for running and playing.  They also have a little “tuck shop” (snack shop) where they have homemade soft serve ice cream.  Peter Loved that.  In fact several mornings after breakfast he would take off towards the tuck shop for ice cream.  We spent lots of time explaining that ice cream was for the afternoon.  One day our goals for the day were to either swim in the pool or to go on a hike along the river and I am happy to report that we did both on the same day.  J  Joe set up our hammock which we all love.  We had several different fires and Peter liked helping collecting sticks for the fire and just sitting and watching the fire.  Peter had his first experience flying a kite, which he loved.  We packed a box of toys for him just in case but we never needed them.  It was a great week of memories that we will be adding to since a quick get away is now close by. 

Unfortunately vacation was cut short a bit and ended with all of with various sicknesses and flus.  But I am happy to report that thanks to antibiotics and other meds we are all on the mend.  

Peter has started swimming lessons once a week at his school.  We are getting ready for several events and visitors that we have coming.  October will be a busy month but we are excited to see how God is going to work and move. 

Until next time: If your son “helps” you mop the kitchen floor you may want to check for puddles before walking around in your socks. J