Thiessens2Africa

As I coordinate with our Guesthouse staff to put on a Thanksgiving meal for 50 team mates and visitors, I can scarcely believe we arrived back just 2 weeks ago. After an unusually eventful trip, I might add, which included standing at the gate to our flight in Paris and being told we are too late, while the plane proceeded to sit there for 45 minutes removing all of our 18 suitcases.

Moral support as we got
back to the airport.
Merci, Paris!

What's more, our friends meeting us in Paris sat on that plane telling them we were there, but to no avail.

After 7 hours in the airport and many meandering trips (Charles de Gaulle is not for the faint of heart!), we stayed overnight and repeated the flight the next morning.   

All of our bags did arrive in Madagascar,
and after a whirlwind shop in the capital,
we got everything on the small plane to our town.
Barely.
We had a 1074kg of weight limit on the plane,
and our totals including us and everything we had on us,
came to 1072kg!

Yes, we MAY have even packed some
special cheese and meat from Canada...
call me crazy!

Back with friends!

But I digress...we made it, and stepping into our home after 4 months away (and changing beds 18 times) was a surreal experience for our family. When we left Canada 5 years ago, we had visions of setting up a long-term home in Africa. As it happens, this was the first time in all those years where we actually came back to a pre-existing home. 

No new community. 

No new home to set up.

No new team and culture and environment to learn.

For the first time, we came "back". 

Even my very limited Malagasy (language) has begun to return!

As we set the suitcases on the shelf, we realized that more than just having a physical residence, it is also the sense of belonging that hits home. Somehow in a season of dust and dryness, we have found a place where our roots are sinking in. It feeds our soul to have this precious sense of connection after we have "wandered" for so many years.

Don't be fooled,
these pies are COMPLETELY 
out of my comfort zone!
Even my love for a good challenge
was on the edge
after 7 of these...

As we gather our team of nationals, westerners, and visitors tomorrow to share a celebration from our passport country, I am both humbled and grateful at where God has brought us. The journey has been bumpy (like Malagasy road-style bumpy!), but the evidence of His provision is far beyond my imagination. 

Thinking of our people near and far, as everyone gathers to enjoy their precious relationships, while marvelling at God's goodness in our lives. 

"Rejoice always, pray continuously, give thanks in all circumstances..."

"Taste and see that the Lord is good..."

By Julie