Today we should be going home....

Today we were supposed to be going home. 

If 2020 had been anything close to normal, then today would be filled with finish packing, enjoying family time and last taste of our favorite American things.  Then we would board a plane for the long ride back to South Africa.  However, 2020 has not been normal and we have no idea when we will be able to board a plane and return to the place we call home.  Peter routinely asks, “when are we going home?”   We don’t have an answer for him.  We have applied for Peter’s Passport when we arrived in the beginning of March, but have been told to expect significant delays before we receive it.  Once we receive it we have to apply for his South African Visa.  Even if we had his passport we would not be able to apply for his Visa because the South African Consulates are closed.  So we wait.  We have relocated from Shawnee, Kansas to Tullahoma, Tennessee.  We are blessed by a Nazarene Church who is allowing us to live in a house that they currently own.  We will be here until the beginning of August.  Then we will reevaluate where we are in regards to documents and assess what travel is being allowed and steps forward. 

We have spoken in a few services since the Shelter in Place/Stay at Home orders started but mostly our days are filled with keeping an active preschooler entertained with times for emails, whatsapps, zoom meetings and so forth mixed in.  Beth is also continuing to study towards a Doctorate in Community Care and Counseling.  Joe has been able to help friends out with some construction projects.   This Home Assignment will be one we do not soon forget. 

Things are beginning to lift and we have enjoyed being able to check out a few thrift stores and garage sales.  Peter is pretty good about keeping his mask on.   Peter is eagerly awaiting the day when the libraries and playgrounds/parks open back up. 

June is a busy month of celebration in the Heath household.  We were looking forward to celebrating in South Africa but are adjusting our plans and thinking of fun ways to celebrate Joe and Peter’s birthdays where we are.  It is hard to believe that in less than two weeks we will have a 5-year-old.   

Joe and Peter’s birthday will be nothing like what we thought they would be but we are together and we be able to celebrate the blessing of another year together.