Nearly a year ago a friend of mine was asking for advice from recently moving from the UK back to her hometown in the US. She was undergoing what my parents have always called, “a season of transition” and was asking me for encouragement and advice. As I sat down to respond to her email, memories and emotions began to flood my mind and my heart. Transitioning, especially cross culturally, was something I had experienced many times throughout my life. This past week I went to find those notes I had written earlier in the year, for I was now needing to hear some of my own encouragement.
I left Cape Town, South Africa well over a month ago...my heart was sad to move on from a city, community and culture that had become my home...but I was excited to return to my family for Christmas. Now the holidays have past, the decorations are down, and friends and family members are busily back at work. As I continue to wait on Jesus for what is next, my different environment and changed heart are struggling to settling back into this American culture and city.
In an article called Returning Home, it states “It is common to feel confused, disoriented, frustrated with materialism, overwhelmed by the amount of choice in supermarkets, or to have a sense of loss.” Ahhh, I thought, I'm not alone or going crazy! I continued to read, “Difficult aspects of resettlement include: communicating the overseas experience, fitting in again, finding work & a lack of money.”...how do they know me so well?!
One of the greatest adjustments has been returning to the same city I left over a year and a half ago...but, returning changed and returning to find a church, ministry and friends who have also moved on in many ways. I could force myself to slot back into the old, but I don't seem to fit anymore. I was telling someone the other day that I feel like a puzzle piece that now longer fits in the puzzle...and as I look closely now the image on the puzzle has changed too. The scriptures say in Isaiah 43, “Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Do you not perceive it?” I don't know how long God will have me based in Tacoma, but this season ahead will look new and different. What does stay relatively consistent though is relationships...my life and ministry will always be about relationships! Loving my friends here in Tacoma and around the world is what I spend much of my free time doing. Even now being stateside, it has been a joy meeting up with friends and families, and talking with others on Skype and email. As I made an effort to blog for my American & English friends while living in Cape Town, I now desire to do the same for my South African community while I am here.
There has been an inner joy as I have been able to recognize how South Africa and my community there, personally helped transform my mind. Romans 12:2 says “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” If I had returned from my season in Africa completely the same, what would have been the point of even going? The joy of living a life with Jesus is that we are constantly changing!
So you may ask whats changed? Well let me try and put some thoughts to words:
- I have grown in my desire to be an advocate within my generation...opening up people's eyes to the poverty and injustices around them (and around the world).
- I am wrestling in a new way with the wealth and materialism we as Americans consume. My eyes have been opened afresh to worldly idols and things that block people from seeing with their heart.
- I have learned so much about community development and how partnered with the power of prayer...true transformation is possible in hearts and communities.
- I have grown in the simplicity of loving children...hugs and words of encouragement speak more volumes than fancy programs and electronic toys.
- I have seen and experienced the extreme gap between the rich and the poor in South Africa...and now I see these gaps around me here in the US. The walls between neighborhoods and communities are tall and treacherous!
- I have grown in my love for God's church and my desire to see the church truly be Christ's hands and feet in serving his poor & rejected around the world.
Please pray for me as I continue to discern what is next...I know that God will lead me in due time! My parents have recently left on their next 2 month African Adventure (I will not deny that it was quite hard to drop them off at the airport, as we have somewhat switched places...and the fact that they are returning to Cape Town for a visit too)...but the blessing is that I am house-sitting their cozy “cabin” which is a haven to me, and a place to call my own these next few months. As I continue to transition, I am taking up hourly cleaning/organizing & babysitting jobs to pay the bills...and investing in the many relationships (especially family) that are here in this city!
All my love...Bryna
Britlese & Jesse's girls: Kesley & Abigail
The Joy of Sisters
Cuddling with my new niece (born Oct 23rd)
Miss Abigail...smiling
I am very blessed to have all 4 grandparents in town!
3 Generations: Grandma Rosy & Mama Becky
Christmas Day walk with my parents at
Jonathan turned 4 on Jan 7th
Celebrating New Years at an art event with
