Darin's Journal
Darin's Journal... the day after (and I cannot figure out what time it is)I remember this feeling so well, the feeling of not being sure what time it is - my heart is still in Namibia time, my body is somewhere between Namibia, Dubai, London and USA time, and my mind is trying to discern how it could possibly be lunch time when I haven't had breakfast yet.
I set out on this journey with two major prayer requests. One was that God would show up. Thank you Lord, you did! As we discussed as a team on those last few days, we would have had to have purposefully covered our eyes to have missed you on this trip. My second prayer was for our team to have a great experience. I am overwhelmed at how thoroughly beyond my expectations this prayer was answered. Not only did the GO29 have a great trip, but our hosts Dieter, Joan and Richard, and our friends Brenda, Sylvia and Toivo all had a great experience with us. I never imagined that the answer to my prayers would also include the numerous family members and friends who supported us so vigorously from home thru the blog site, all who have been brought along to the frontlines of this experience with us. I guess it is no mystery that for much of the team our theme song has become "You're So Good". Father, thank you for blessing your children so thoroughly with this one! Now, would you help us all to put it into perspective? Would you take us all further?
I marvel at this team's performance on the field, top to bottom, young to not as young, dancer to CCA member. It was such a blessing for me to hear no complaints from this team, but to see flexibility embodied over and over. Once again, team leaders stepped up and led with a pliable spirit that has become a signature of our GO efforts. And once again, I went to teach and lead - and came home having learned and grown more myself as a result of my many interactions with team members and our hosts and our God.
As usual, it is my aim to produce a final report of our trip to share. It will take me a few weeks to get it all in focus, but I hope to 'complete' my trip in writing at some point, and I'll offer copies to everyone near and far. Until then I have a few thoughts I put in writing with tears in my eyes...
To Dieter... this whole thing began when we exchanged emails in January. Dieter, you wrote, "What a God-inspired, Him-credible plan. We just love crazy ideas. Let's do it." This trip He used you, Joan and Richard to bring about the God-inspiring, Him-credible results. So, my friend, we have another adventure to put in the books. Until we ride again...
To Mike, G, and Dave... thanks is not sufficient. I love you guys. I owe you, too. Milanos?
To Melissa... I apologize now for the can of "African Fever" we've opened in the hearts of MHDC folks. Thank you for the courage to let this team come together and for allowing the MHDC family and the CCA family to share in such a great experience together.
To our 2005 leaders... You did such a fine job... next time I'll stay home (and you'll all have a lot less stressful of a trip, eh?).
To our team... Sleep - now you're home.
To MHDC/GO parents... Thank you for the courage to send your kids with us. I speak for everyone of the CCA folks when I say that we have fallen in love with your kids. Thank you also for connecting to this group as you have. We were so welcomed into your hearts and homes before the trip, and in each of your blog entries during the trip - you cannot imagine how much of a blessing you have been to us along the way.
And there it is, that phrase - Along the Way. Here at Christ's Church we live that phrase, cherishing each step of the journey rather than only fixing our eyes on destinations. So, my prayer going forth is that each of us, team, extended team, family and friends, recognize that our journey continues still... just in a different time zone. I'll see you, along the way.
posted by Darin @ 6:38 PM
10 Comments:
Darin it is us who thank you and all of your wonderful CCA family members, not only those who journeyed to Africa, but those who prayed for our children and embraced them as part of the CCA family.
I feel listening to just a sampling of the adventures that Samantha truly had a connection with all of you. It is an experience I'm am sure will not be forgotten. We will fondly remember these times as we look at the few memorable tokens Samantha brought home. They were certainly choosen with much thought and love.
It is nice to know that this experience so warmed the heart of many.
Thank you again and God Bless!
Barbara Kacos
Here's the feeling I get about Namibia:
"Does anybody really know what time it is"????
"Does anybody really care"????
I hope we can all bring a little bit of that back into our lives---usually so harried and hectic and SCHEDULES!!
Now all of the families are on this weird time/sleep schedule because we were up all night chatting about the trip with our loved ones! I'm looking forward to getting together with everyone to hear about the trip! There will be endless hours of sharing,I'm sure!
Don't forget to check out the http://www.afternamibia05.blogspot.com/
site set up by Don & Karen!
I'm thankful the "clock" says :
0 days, 00:00:00 until we get home!
Glad to have you all back on U.S. soil! See you all soon!! With much Love and Gratitude! XOXOXOXOXO
Parents,
Anyone up for Margartias in Nashua on Thurs. night to share and swap stories?? I was thinking maybe 7:30.......my email is peterpan5@earthlink.net, let me know if you can come!!
Sandi
Sneaky sneaky....
more picture up in the gallery with no mention that they were there...check out Team Fontein and Team Mpampo albums!!
Hey... it takes less than 4 minutes to post 16 pictures... Much faster than the 1/2 hour to 45 minutes to post 5 pictures!!!! Pretty crazy!!!
Miss you all!!
"As usual, it is my aim to produce a final report of our trip to share. It will take me a few weeks to get it all in focus, but I hope to 'complete' my trip in writing at some point, and I'll offer copies to everyone near and far."
Where can I find/recieve that when it has been finished?
C. B.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Hello C.B. As I wrote in the posting, it will take me a few weeks to process all my thoughts and the experiences. I will put it all together at some point in writing and will be glad to send you a copy. Drop me an email at pastor@ccnh.org so that I will be sure to send you one when it is done. Thanks for your interest in our trip. Blessings!
Hey everyone!
Although I miss everyone in Namibia, it's so great to be home. I believe we all had a life-changing experience that as my dad said, can never be relived the same way. Those 17 days on the other side of the world will forever be with us in our scrapbooks and memories. It's unbelievable to me the relationships we built over-seas. Not just with Dieter, Joan, and Richard, but with our own teammates. Before the trip we didn't know each other's names, and now we are all constantly iming each other and keeping in touch regularly. I think that's so cool. Well, just wanted to say thanks to everyone for making this trip amazing, and to all the people who stayed behind, thank you for all your prayers and support. I love you all!
love,
Amanda (Shaw)
hey manda, i couldn't have said it better. it blows my mind in the mysterious ways that God works and its so cool to see the bonds we have made are still standing strong. i praise God for all the new people in my life that i love and how that has taught me to love all the more. its so cool to see how God is working in your life amanda... hehe you have such a way with words too... ever consider public speaking? hehe ;-) i love you, and speaking of scrapbooking- i believe we have a date. i also wanted to say that church was amazing today and it was such a blessing to see the beautiful faces of pretty much all the dancers this morning. i missed you guys and today was a great chance to catch up. i already can't wait to see all of you again at sam's.
well until then,
much love,
~amanda
Post a Comment
<< Home