Days on the Field – or, My Home Away From Home

18 November 2010

I'm sitting across the kitchen table from one of my housemates, who is excitedly typing away on her computer.  The reason?  Her sister is in labor! 

We’ve been hearing about the upcoming due date (which was 10 days ago), and checking in daily to find out any new news.  Nothing… till now.

As I sit keeping her company… and hearing news from her brother-in-law about her sister’s all-night labor experience… it makes me think back to all the ways I can relate to her - even just a little - today.

Missing one of my best friend’s wedding…

Missing my brother’s wedding…

Missing Thanksgiving last weekend with my extended family… holidays… birthdays…

Most recently, I got to watch on Facebook as my cousin's little boy had his first birthday party.  This is a cousin-in-law-or-something that I've never seen (except in pictures), never met, never held, never made smile (or cry!)…

Happy Birthday, Logan!

Then again, there are a few things I've gotten to do - and be a part of - that I never could have done from MI.  Like visit my friends in Uganda for a few days as they prepared to bring their first two little boys home...

The Kalmbacher Klan... Part I!

As Kate and I sit here, we consider what it would have been like just 40 years ago on the field.  No way would she be talking to her brother-in-law in the delivery room via a computer... and through him, with her sister.  No way would she have been able to see pictures of her new niece just after she was born.  She would have gotten a letter in a month or two, hopefully with a picture included... 

Baby Emma and her proud parents! :)

 As I look forward to my weekly Skype date with my parents this Sunday, I realize that while I've given up some things, I have an abundance here as well.  Not only is communication easier these days (when the power is working!), but I have amazing friends, a wonderful network of people, and a great organization behind me here in Tanzania.  Not to mention that God loves me and has called me... and promises to stick with me no matter where I might go.  When it comes down to it, there's not much more I could ask for.  (Besides, maybe, an invite to the next wedding???)