Familiar life on three continents

Where am I? And where's home?

Well, I moved into my new house in Burundi on November 1st and had two weeks to unpack suitcases, hang pictures, welcome guests, and settle in before leaving. I love my new Burundian home!

 Receiving a beautiful woodcarving housewarming gift from the medical students at Bible study

 First Bible study in my new home

These students are incredible! They were so sweet to share testimonies that evening of how God has been working in their lives through the Bible study and through their time working with us at Kibuye Hope Hospital. It's so encouraging seeing them begin to understand grace and the gospel in addition to learning new medical knowledge! 

 Thanking the construction workers with a special meal

 plantains before cooking

 Cow before butchering and cooking :)

The beginning of my Kirundi speech to thank the workers

 Goodbye party/Birthday party with the team

 Sweet send-off as I left Kibuye

Goodbye to the medical students

Then I flew back to the US via Europe and stopped in Switzerland for a few days to visit some friends. 

 Shannon and I have been friends for more than half our lives! 

 This reminded me so much of Albertville, France where I studied French for 10 months before going to Burundi

 Fall leaves!

I love Europe at Christmas-time - and especially sharing the experience with special friends

And then I flew back to the US where my family was so ready to welcome me home! 

 And to treat me to my favorite Panera dinner

And ice cream, of course :)

I arrived back in the US just in time for Thanksgiving and am so thankful for the opportunity to celebrate that American holiday with my family & all our traditions.

And it's been so fun to celebrate Emma's 4th birthday and Samuel's 6 1/2 birthday in person!

And to finally meet and get to know baby Lily!

So with all the traveling and transition, it's easy to focus on my "homelessness" - not being completely at home in any culture and longing for an eternal home. And that's true. But I also am incredibly blessed in my transcontinental life. There is so much that is comfortable and familiar to me in various places around the world. After living in the US, Kenya, France, and Burundi, I have favorite foods and favorite places in all those countries. I've made memories there and look forward to hikes and beautiful views. In living there, I know where to buy toothpaste and what songs we sing at church (in various languages). I'm comfortable with greetings from these various cultures (though I do get confused at times as to which greeting to use in which culture - handshake, kiss on the cheek, side-hug, etc.). But most of all, there are people who know and love me and whom I know and love in several different cultures and countries. I'm thankful for a life that is interesting (to me) and full of love and friendship and I do look forward to the day (likely in heaven) when all my loved ones are finally in one place (besides Facebook :)).