by Doug Roland
From about 1000 feet altitude to landing, it was the light that reminded me I was home. The big, bold and consuming South African sun is dramatic, but the sun of Florida is a more crisp, playful light. It bounces off the glass of the city's buildings, attaches to the vehicles on the road, and rests in fields, homes and farmlands. 17 months without that light gave me a better appreciation for it, a nice welcome home.
This is new - coming home from living in a foreign land. My thoughts are random and I can't sum them up yet.
Last year, I wrote about the impossibility of having a meaningful Christmas without the presence of family. We were welcomed at the airport by our son, taken promptly his home and reacquainted ourselves with our granddaughter, Clara. In the afternoon we went to our church to pick-up our borrowed car and saw a few of our dearest friends.
On our first full day, I was dragged to choir practice without a voice that can sing. Though that is frustrating, there was comfort in listening to familiar chatter of musicians, sudden stops in the middle of a piece followed by the obligatory corrections from the director.
The next day we were invaded by our siblings and friends from around the country. Reunions broke out daily. Cheri's sisters. newly minteded great Aunties, made their presence felt as usual. Ten of us revisited vacations we had shared in Provence and other places. Though the memories of many things and events fade, others are as vivid as a Chagall stained glass backlighted by the southern French sun. These are indelible experience that we will share the rest of our lives.
It has, indeed, been busy, this visit home. Visits to our respective work places. We make multiple church appearances. We've given presentations to two adult sunday school classes, and are on deck to answer some questions at three consecutive worship services this Sunday. This is followed by a gathering of South Africa travelers in the evening. Invitations abound. In the queue are 6-7 dinner invitations to manage and a couple of weeks when we are elevated to "full-time" grandparents. It's a balancing act. We need to rest and we need the engagement.
The fine folks of Hyde Park United Methodist have surrounded us with great warmth and love.Without them we would not have gone to South Africa, nor could we return.
I learned that lots of people are actually reading this blog.
Driving around town, we've seen differences. On the one hand, there were several marquee shops that are now closed. Some restaurants have closed but others have flourished and some are nearly impossible to get into. Construction vehicles are scant, but the traffic is about the same.
From time to time, I find myself slipping back into the dominant culture until I realize that this only makes it more difficult to keep the momentum we've built in South Africa. We need to maintain an attitude of excitement to leave our home with the same awe that led us there in 2010. It's a fine balance. At the moment I look forward to both going and coming back. The question is whether it is sustainable for the next three weeks.
The summation of reuniting with friends, relatives and being back in our hometown reminds us of who we are and how we have been changed by our South African experience. It has, for now, helped us to renew our commitment to return to serve at the seminary. It took a long time for us to be effective in a foreign culture. We have another year + to put that to good use so that when we come back home for good, we can rest in the knowledge that we did the best we can to help develop leaders to transform the church and the nation of South Africa. God is extravagant in his grace and it is not to be turned down. But please, Lord, can I have a little more sleep?
Cheri and I wish you all a blessed Christmas. May its meaning be at the center of everything you do for therein lies the full measure of His light. The light illuminates a straight highway that leads to a life of adventure where everything changes. What a bargain!!
