When people told us about the warmth and hospitality of Perth, I had my apprehensions.
But we’ve been so grateful truly for the gifts we’ve encountered along the way—
Our rainbow greeting on our first morning, which held a deeper lesson for this season,
A community of people here who’ve shown us tremendous support, watched our kids and loved on us,
On this rainy morning, as our girls asked to buy a punnet of fresh strawberries at a farmers’ market and were determined to queue in line in the pouring rain, an entire lineup of people ahead of them gave up their own convenience just to let them pay first. 😭
Then at church today, our girls ran to the cafe to order their hot chocolates to stay warm, only to return to me saying it cost them nothing. I then explained to them that i was certain it was not free.
True enough, one of you following me on this space had paid for their drinks. 😭
That meant the world to me, to know that our girls are cared for and loved on even in another country 😭
“Just pass on the blessing,” winked the lady behind the counter to my girls.
They most certainly will.
And of course, amidst some sobering reflections on our next transition of searching for another home in Tanzania to move into, God had to send us another full rainbow today, too, as a reminder of His goodness, and the okay-ness of showing up with all our emotions in life.🥹
Honestly? My heart is really heavy that in two weeks, we’ll be headed back to Tanzania in the unknown again, living in an airbnb with questionable standards (we still remember how we had to evacuate the last one) and praying for a suitable home to move into…. All while navigating our purpose, training and impact on communities in East Africa.
People have the impression that the developing world is cheap and thus easy to live in. Sadly, the reality is… to live sustainably that meet standards even far below developed standards, requires a great deal more work and finances.
I look around the neighborhoods here and realize how all the houses don’t need a fence or wall, how every home is lit, safe, sealed and well-resourced. How a wall is a wall and nobody ever needs to doubt its integrity or worry about it crumbling.
The average house in the developing world, in contrast, does not guarantee steady power, water, sealed walls, security, walls (because foreigners are always a curiosity), quiet… and to get any of these always demands a high financial premium.
Moving feels like a financially draining decision, what with having to pay for an airbnb (or more), rent for our current home and agent fees for the next one… but the decision feels right- that it is precisely because of all these considerations that it required so much intention and courage to make. 😭💔
As we talked about some of these upcoming transitions ahead, my 8-yr old drew up her plans on a whiteboard and declared, “OK everyone please listen to me. I’m going to do a whiteboard activity.”
I teared as I realized she too, was using a whiteboard now to process her emotions and thoughts.
“This is my proposed plan,” she declared. “And yes it is very hard, almost impossible actually to think we can find a home in two weeks when we head back. But with God all things are impossible. And if things don’t work out still, here is Plan number 2,3 and 4. Whatever the case, we shall find a better house!”
What faith. 🥹😭🥹😭
Would you be praying with us and believing, trusting God for what seems impossible too?
Thank you.