4 Things You Should Know About Returning Missionaries (or at least us)

On this departure day, here are 4 things to consider.....


1. We are not tan. Yes, we live in Africa. In fact, we live on the equator! But contrary to popular belief, Africa is not always hot. Currently it is "Winter" here and about 50 degrees. Not too bad for winter, I realize, but it is 50 degrees everywhere - in the classroom, in the house, everywhere! We are bundled up in whatever we can find - hoodies, jackets, blankets, you name it. So, sun-tanning is definitely not on the agenda and when we return to Michigan this summer we will be pasty white.

2. We might act a little crazy sometimes.  The last time we were in Michigan, Megan was 5 years old. We stopped a rest stop on the way home from the airport. As Megan approached the door, it automatically opened. She shrieked and yelled across the parking lot, "Mom and Dad, the door opens by itself!" to the amusement of the bystanders. Her gleeful exclamations continued for weeks, proclaiming how white the eggs where, how soft the bread was, and how many parks there were in one town. And who knows? It has been 4 years, so I just might be jumping up and down in the aisle of the grocery store shouting, "They have Cheerios!"

3. We may be a bit fragile. This is the first time we have transitioned with all 5 of us quite aware of our emotions. The last time we came back to the US, the kids were along for the ride. This time they are going through all the emotions that we are - excitement, grief, anticipation, sadness, fear, anxiety, and hope. We have a lot of feelings swirling around this house right now and expect that to continue in the months ahead. A friend of mine commented that as far as numbers on the stress scale scale go, moving our family half way around the world may qualify right near the top. We might be a little fragile in the emotional department...

4. We are not perfect. I don't know who invented the idea that missionaries are holy and perfect, but that is not true. We are just like anyone else, except we have a few more stamps in our passport. Our kids are just like yours, except they have been on a few more airplanes. We don't sit around and discuss theology all day.We have good days and bad.  We long to have a good marriage and be awesome parents, but have to work hard at both. You don't have to tiptoe around us - wondering if what you say will offend us. We are all sinners in need of a Savior - every day. 


See you on the other side! Pray for safe travels for us today!