On the Road Again...

Two and a half years in Douala, Cameroon, four and a half years in Lagos, Nigeria, two years in Mexico City, Mexico (one year at a time, two separate moves), three years in San Juan, Puerto Rico, many months of refugee status in Aberdeen, Scotland (and the Canary Islands), two years rotation for Charles in Copenhagen, Denmark - totaling twelve/fourteen+ years living outside of our home country as expats – and exploring the world.    The adventure, the expeditions, the travel, the excitement of living in a new land, the cultures, the world-wide friendships, the exotic foods and the experiences have been amazing. 

Our current life in a third world country makes us appreciate things we used to take for granted (electricity, water, generators, paved roads, air conditioning, consistent internet), and we are especially grateful for our friends, since we need each other to survive.    This lifestyle has taught us flexibility and adaptability and patience along with satisfaction in little things.  Our fears have lessened, our worries have decreased, the world has become smaller, and our views have grown.  We have learned compassion and how to cope with poverty all around us.  We have discovered how to function and to thrive in many languages and cultures and we have learned how to make a home anywhere in the world, wherever we land.  We have learned that we can’t help everyone, but we can make a difference in the lives of some.  We have learned that there is no waste in Africa too.  Things I throw away are taken from the garbage and recycled.  Food, which is molded and old, is eaten.  Chicken bones are devoured…   It is humbling.  Filth is everywhere and the poverty can be overwhelming.  And there is a mass of humanity every place we look with people sleeping and surviving in every little nook and cranny around.  But, it all has an energy to it, and it makes me feel alive.  The people work hard and the injustices are frequent.  I listen to the stories of those around us and admire the resilience which is required.  I’ve cried at many heartbreaking situations, which are daily life in poverty-ridden areas.  I’ve watched animals slaughtered for sacrifice, participated in tribal ceremonies, and held a baby found under a bridge.  Over the last few years, we’ve seen the last passage for the slave trade in Benin, walked across the canopy bridge high over the trees in Ghana, dealt with hurricanes, tornados and earthquakes, watched our home burn in Mexico, been deported from a West African country, ridden camels through the desert, flown falcons in Ireland, climbed pyramids in Mexico and learned to sail in the Caribbean and in the waste-filled waters of Nigeria.  We’ve shopped in Dubai, been to the souks in Tunisia, purchased fabric in Cote d’Ivoire, explored the Holy City of Jerusalem, climbed sand dunes in Namibia, camped with elephants and have been robbed in Argentina.  We’ve visited temples in Bali, eaten fresh lamb on a ranchero in Chile, been to the beaches in the Congo, flown on bush planes and been on safaris in South Africa.  We’ve explored the Cliffs of Moher, the streets and farms around Budapest, culinary travels through Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro, and enjoyed time with family in St Petersburg, Russia.  We’ve been blessed and humbled by these experiences.   There is happiness weaved around all of these locations and travels; simple things have made all the difference.  Kindness from strangers has meant so much. 

When I moved to Africa, I prayed on the plane that God would take away my (many) fears and that I would see beauty in this place.  He has answered that prayer a thousand times over.  Beauty is found in unexpected places; in the smiles of children playing in the villages, in the faces of weathered locals with few teeth and huge grins, in the orphanages, in the hospitals, in the streets and in our homes.  We have had the opportunity of helping others, yet we have been the ones blessed through these experiences, pressed down, shaken and running over.  I stand amazed in God’s presence in the world.  We have learned much, and mere words are incapable to totally express the things we have seen.  There is a saying here, that your imagination cannot match the reality – that you can’t make this stuff up – and it is true.  Words cover such a minute part of this experience.   We interact with nationalities from around the world, different races and different religions – and they are all a “same kind of different as me”.  We strive to understand and accept and learn….and while we don’t agree on some things, we agree on most.    We have been able to view our home country through foreign eyes and learn that the world is wide and vast with so much to offer.  The people that we meet may look different on the outside, but they have the same hopes, the same dreams, the same fears and the same desires.   They want the best for their children, they deal with schools, safety, jobs and health.   In my opinion, the key to racism of all types is to sit down and get to know the people who are around you.  We are more alike than different….and oh, how we have been blessed by these special friendships! 

But…we have missed home and family….and at some point, we simply make the decision that it is time to go home to our families and just walk away.  We will never again be the same, but we are better for the experience.  I thank God that my husband was strong enough to take risks, and that I had just (barely) enough courage to follow him to worlds unknown.  I have been overwhelmed, scared, ecstatic, humbled, giddy, terrified, happy, heartbroken….and the emotions have been intense. Yet...we leave with thankfulness and awe at the world and we appreciate so much.    We are not brave (nor insane) but have simply taken the steps in front of us.    We have seized the opportunities and in the process learned much about others and ourselves. 

While we are looking forward to our next move, we also know that our adventures will continue.  Adventure is a mind-set and an attitude of wonder and an appreciation of God’s beautiful world.  We are global citizens and we still have much to experience.   Our life goals include visiting all 50 states and 100 countries…and we are almost there.   We feel a mix of bittersweet emotions, yet excited to walk into our next chapter.  When we left the USA we were beginning the ‘empty nest’ period with both boys in college, yet now we are returning with our nest full, adding two wonderful daughter-in-loves and one sweet little granddaughter.   Our mothers are in good health and we are ready for adventures back in the USA, centered around our family. 

Thank you for allowing us to share our world.  We are truly overwhelmed with appreciation and glad that many of you have been on this journey with us. 

We are “On the Road Again” moving to Houston, Texas just in time for Thanksgiving.