Homesick for Ghana

It's been about two months since I've returned from Ghana, but a large piece of my heart remains there.  Almost every day I get texts from my "family" in Ghana.  I miss them all so much.  I have been meaning to write more posts about my transition back home, but, to be honest, it wasn't much of a transition. It was definitely nice to be back home.  I missed my family so much, missed my bed, missed my shower, etc.  But, I was able to get right back into the routine of life here fairly easily.  It helped that Kevin did an amazing job keeping the household running (and all living creatures inside said household alive and well!). I read that it can be overwhelming coming back home from mission or volunteer trips oversees, but I didn't have that experience.  I think because this trip was such a necessary part of my soul's purpose, everything seemed to flow very naturally.  I can't really explain it.  As I've told some people, I never really got "homesick" while I was away, and I never really felt like I had to get "readjusted" life back home.  To me, that is just confirmation that this was the right thing to do.

When I did get back home, though, it was glorious! The girls and Kevin came to pick me up from the airport. It was late, about 10:30pm, so the girls were falling asleep, but they were very excited to see momma again! When we got back home, they wanted to snuggle in my bed with me (though Evelyn told me to take a shower first--ha!).  It was amazing to snuggle next to their sweetness and kiss their faces. Evelyn said to me, "Momma, I'm glad you're home. Now everything can return to normal." LOL!

Now that I've had some time to think about and process my trip, I'm ready to move forward with next steps and figure out how I can help continue to support the school and library in Sekondi. I don't want this to be a "one-and-done" thing.  My thoughts have always been to start something that can continue.  Something small, but full of greatness!  I bonded with this community, especially with the kids, and I want to continue to support them. There are some tentative plans in place...stay tuned!

I have been asked if this trip "changed" me.  That's been hard to answer.  I don't think I've necessary changed.  I think I'm still the same person with the same world views and ideas.  I think the "change" in me happened over the last year when I began getting that nagging feeling that something was missing from my life.  I think the change happened gradually, slowly, before I even stepped foot in Africa.  I don't think I could have made this trip if I hadn't changed, in some way, before going.  I'm starting to get why the term "older and wiser" exists--I think as you get older and are constantly re-evaluating your life, you gain a wisdom that is almost impossible to gain without making mistakes as a young adult.  I feel more confident and self-assured now than I have ever felt. I am beginning to understand my purpose in this life and keep an open mind about opportunities that present themselves to me.  And I think I'm constantly changing.  I don't want to get to the end of my life and have too many regrets. I know I will have some, but I hope I can continue learning from my experiences and grow into a wise, old woman who can inspire my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren to live their authentic lives.  I don't want to limit myself out of fear, and I think this is the biggest change over the last several years.  I have two precious souls watching my every move--my daughters watch me and study me and I want them to see a strong, self-assured, kind, generous woman who isn't afraid to step out of her comfort zone.  I want them to follow their hearts and listen to what their souls are telling them. I want them to be smart and make wise decisions, but I don't want them to limit themselves out of fear.  I want them to do small things with great love as well as great things!