Skip to main content

Everything New

I'm reading a book for old missionaries about all the crazy things people go through in returning from their field of service to spend time in their home country.  One of the chapters is all about how tough it is to "go home."  Things change and the missionary ends up out of sync with what's new since their last "home" visit.

"Coming home" this time has been smooth in some ways and a little crazy in others.  Byron and I haven't had a real furlough for six years.  On one hand our recent short visits pathed the way for an easier transition.   But staying for a longer this time around means we don't have to feel as rushed to go and do and see, even though we are always reminded of that the pages of the calendar are passing by.

Keeping in touch with our friends in Brazil is uniquely easy nowadays allowing us the privilege of almost instant contact, real time decision making and even seeing regular photos of my cat.  We can send money quickly and even check our home security cameras from our cell phones.

Things still pop up to remind us we don't quite belong.  Last week I went in to Subway on the way home from watching the grands all day long.  I was hungry, too.  Byron suggested I go ahead and stop to pick up something for supper.  So there I was in line staring at all the possibilities and feeling suddenly overwhelmed.  

We have Subway in Brazil, but I'm used to the options there.  Everything on the menu looked odd and different.  But the line was moving slowly so I had time.  Time to decide.  I was ready.  Finally it was my turn and I said the number of my order.  I want a #18, footlong.  Whew.  Then the girl said, What kind of bread?  Ugh.  I hadn't thought of that question.  I covered well and just said, How about normal.

And just when I thought I was going to leave without anyone knowing I was a confused expat missionary wondering what I was doing in that line anyway, I decided to be brave and ask for one of the desserts.  I chose the cheapest, a US$2 choice - a foot-long churro.  But when I opened my mouth Portuguese came out, "shoo-hoo." 

The worker gave me the funniest look.  Oops, my secret was out.  For the life of me I had no idea how to say that silly little word properly, so I did the best thing - I pointed to the sign.  It worked.  I made it home only slightly scathed.  We ate our foot-long sub on normal bread and ate our churro that didn't really taste very good, by the way, not like the ones at home in Brazil.

"Home in Brazil?" Yeah, I have two homes.  I love them both.  And the churros in one taste much better.  Sometime the conflict of having two homes is crazy, sometimes it's just silly.  I plan to enjoy the next six months, spend lots of time with family, and work to avoid anxious moments in fast food restaurants.

Labels:

Comments

  1. cellartopJuly 18, 2024 at 4:48 AM

    Welcome back home,enjoy the days of ever changing places,some new and some old !

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thank you for stopping by! Leave me a message if you would.

Popular posts from this blog

The Big Orange Cat

Do you boys remember that big orange cat at the mission house in North Carolina?  That was a special day for me.  I don't have a new story for this Friday.  I've had a long week, but my mind kept going back to that cat this week as I thought about what I would post for you boys today.  Click on the link down below to go back to my big people blog and reread the cat story if you like. Oh, by the way, this morning I made a special trip down to the other end of our town to see the guinea pigs being sold at a grocery store.  This particular store sells medicine and feed for all kinds of animals.  This month they are selling guinea pigs, baby chickens, and dachshund puppies!  Their guinea pigs looked very healthy.  They are selling them for BR$10 each or BR$15 for a pair.  Uncle Byron said that he was glad I didn't bring any home with me! One more thing - this week a mama possum came in our yard.  The dogs chased it and Girl Dog let out a squ...
Post a Comment
Read more

My Promise Verse

Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take:  when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. This verse has been a favorite of mine since I was a teenager. When I was a high school senior at a Christian school in Virginia, Job 23:10 was chosen as our class theme verse. At our graduation commencement, the valedictorian and saludatorian in their addresses that day divided the verse in its two natural parts as a basis for the core of each one's address. I was the salutatorian of my senior class that year.  I chose to speak of how God would one day reward our faithfulness and thus, we should always strive to remain true. For many years though, the first part of the verse haunted me in a way. As a missionary especially when times were lonely or difficult, I assumed it was my "trial" or "test," and as such must be accepted in all humility. As I have grown older, I have begun to look more toward the pearly gates and have reconsidered the thr...
2 comments
Read more

Catching Canoes with Tennis Shoes

This was originally posted on my old Yahoo!360 blog on November 8, 2006.  Today is a good day to re-post it!  For years we have prayed for a man to come along side Byron and help him with the work of the boat and the camp.  Recently it seemed that God had, in a unique way, answered those prayers.  Then suddenly everything was turned upside down this week, and I began to wonder if I would have to start "catching canoes with tennis shoes" again!  But our God is indeed an Awesome God and knows all things.  Read on and a little later I'll tell the rest of the story with our recent test of patience and prayer in the area of the camp and help for our work here in Sobradinho. The photo below was not included in my original post, by the way... Children's Retreat, July 2010 November 8, 2006--- I have no photo today since no one had a camera in hand during this little adventure.  As we were leaving the canal where the boat is usually kept to go ...
2 comments
Read more