View from the Passenger Seat
July 22nd, 2007 | 
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Well, on Friday our air freight shipment items were taken out to JAARS shipping to get packed up and sent to Tanzania. Mom and Ralph (stepdad) were in town a few days to visit and they brought their F150 truck. So, I took advantage of the opportunity and got him to drive me and our stuff out to Waxhaw. It was the first time in a REALLY long time that I got to ride in the passenger seat of a vehicle being that I take care of my Dana. Since the trip is 45 minutes each way, I had a lot of time to take in my American surroundings. I noticed quite a bit of my culture will stay behind in the States and that I am going to miss it all more than I had allowed myself to realize up to this point. Melancholy (officially my first time EVER using that word) set in and I suddenly wasn’t looking forward to leaving this week as much as I have been.A regular question we’re asked is, “Are you excited?” Of course, we are. We’re not only moving to another continent, but to a third world country in sub-Saharan east Africa, learning Swahili and having our first baby there while we’re at it. That would get Droopy excited. But, that also means we’re leaving everything we’ve known since birth. Did you know that staying on your side of the road is part of our culture? How about having access to your choice of grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, churches, and drug stores? Meticulously maintained asphalt roads EVERYWHERE with intact markings and bright functioning LED traffic lights? Free Wi-Fi internet access almost anywhere you go to get a cup of coffee or a meal? The ability to order an item online and have it hand delivered to your doorstep in the matter of a few days? The majority of your family within mere hours of you? Is it hard to walk away from all this even with a calling from God? Yes. And it is really beginning to sink in.
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It’s okay to feel sad. You are stepping out into the relative unknown. Sad, but for a short season I pray, and then lifted by the Spirit of God to a joy unspeakable, as you walk hand in hand with him ministering to His children. May the love and prayers of your friends and family carry you!
Great is your reward,
Rob, Dawn and the girls
I have been thinking and praying for you both a lot this past week. I know all these transitions can’t be all easy. I was reading Beth Moore’s “Praying Gods Words” this morning and I read something that made me immediately think of you guys. One of the scripture prayers from her book says “My Lord, where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. IF I RISE ON THE WINGS OF THE DAWN, IF I SETTLE ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE SEA, EVEN THERE YOUR HAND WILL GUIDE ME, YOUR RIGHT HAND WILL HOLD ME FAST (Ps. 139:7-10). It gives me great comfort to know the same God I worship here is the same God you will worship there, even half way around the world. It also gives me great pleasure to be supporting and praying for you guys. Godspeed to your destination.