I know it has been a while since I last wrote a blog. It has honestly been hard to put everything into words, and I dislike wasting words. We are doing well overall and really enjoying Oklahoma. The weather is more like Africa, which has been a blessing for all of us.

Though we are doing well, we are all still transitioning and hurting. It’s been a lot to move 4 times in 14 months, 2 of which were across the world. It’s painful to be confused about where home is. It is a huge challenge to have so few people understand what re-entry is like and how long it can take. I am actually signed up for a re-entry course beginning in September. It’s a group of missionaries who have recently come back to the States or are still struggling with not being overseas anymore. We will be led through a Biblical program created by another missionary who struggled immensely with her re-entry many years ago, which gave birth to her ministry of helping missionaries.

I highly recommend checking out her site, especially this one for churches and church leaders. Often times people think the transition back should be easy, because this is supposed to be home and familiar, you’re supposed to be excited to see everyone and worship in your mother tongue, as well as the myriad of other things it feels like people expected. It’s been how many months since you’ve been back? Haven’t you adjusted by now?

A missionary friend put it so well when I asked how his family was doing after a year back in the States. He said, “It is still brutal. It is so hard. You originally leave a more independent culture and go to a communal culture, which is actually easier to adapt to. But the coming back. You go from the communal culture to the self-sufficient, independent culture, and that is WAY more difficult to adjust to.”

I think that’s why Oklahoma is a good fit for us. We still get to be surrounded by the people with whom communal living comes naturally, many Africans from our church. We are still adjusting, and we don’t know how long it will take. It is not fun, and at times it is brutal. We are okay, and I know we will be okay, even these 3 precious boys and all the ups and downs and all arounds they’ve been through the last year. God has each of them, and His plans for them are good as they grow to love Him more, we pray. We’re so thankful for the ways God has provided in every way for us, we know He won’t quit now. We continue to covet your prayers!