A reality.

A reality I have recently come to know has really hit quite hard in my heart. As I repeat the words over and over again in my head I try to make sense of it. Is it harder to be in Burundi half way across the world from our families or is more challenging to be in their presence. Its quite funny, I remember for months Isai and I anticipated this trip knowing Malaki would meet all of his family members and them in return would absolutely fall in love with him. We talked about how amazing it would be to be together with our loved ones again... (and truly, it has been unforgettable). Although the point I am grabbing at is, being in Burundi... we never could of imagined how important it is for Malaki to have his aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents around; simply because we never experienced it before. Being here, I think often to myself. Cease the moment, appreciate the weeks we have with our loved ones, build memories and savor precious moments. This of course sounds relatively easy. Although, I find myself in a battle within my heart... realizing how nice it is to simply be around family. In Burundi, its easy to be caught up in the work we are doing there and downplay the emotions of being away from our family. As it is a work that bursts out from our inner being, a work that brings us joy and pain, a work that the Lord created us to do...

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Today, I find a new reality. Its no longer Isai and I... I am believing that the Lord will give us wisdom to not only maintain the relationships we have with friends and family, but to allow Malaki to enjoy, appreciate and to deeply love his family here in America as he grows up in Burundi. I have come to see that time brings depth to relationships and surly the Lord has granted us time. At the end of the day in the stillness, I can still hear the cries of orphaned children, and somehow, at some point everything comes together once again. All our love...