Rumors were buzzing of a tech revolution set to break across the planet. A history-shaping phenomenon spanning nations, sporting a lackluster brand – www.
While the World Wide Web was poised to take the universe by storm, sizable bands of missionaries scattered about remote regions of earth remained for the time being pretty much in the dark. No surprise. Through all of mission history new and curious cutting-edge advances – from transistor radios to laundry softener sheets (this one triggered puzzlement and wonder for Ann at our first furlough) – usually left the developing world sprinting to catch up.
Thus, a snail-mail missive bearing my signature made its leisurely way from Moshi Tanzania to the Colorado offices of International Students, Inc. In it I asked if there might be a place for me to offer some cross-cultural services during our temporary time in the U.S. (I smile now at the qualifying term ‘temporary’). Surprisingly, the response came swiftly.
“Mr. Lout, if you are able, please come by for a visit. . . (furthermore) We have a staff member serving on a university campus in Tulsa, OK. You should be hearing from James Tracy.”
Lord, is this you working?
D-Day for leaving Africa sped our way, a list of priorities getting checked off every few hours:
- Ministry task handoffs
- Miscellaneous paperwork
- Eight-year-old Amy’s hard goodbyes to friends, and to Africa – the only home she knew
- A border crossing northward to Kenya.
- Also, Ann fashioning a full wedding garment. Our firstborn, Julie, would marry not long after our arrival stateside. She and her mother hoped the dress would fit nicely. It did.
- Receiving sporadic updates on our parent’s health (Ann’s mother, my Father)
- Graduation Day. An exciting time, watching Scott all capped and gowned make his way across the Rift Valley Academy stage. Mere hours before our plane’s lift-off from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta.
The coming season would usher in a flurry of emotions, all tethered to precious events and people. The receiving of a new son-in-law. The passing of a parent. The reorienting to life in a familiar yet strange land.
For Ann and me, the job of tackling and navigating our larger future would be met in due course. We drew comfort in the assurance of God’s presence and care over us and of our loved ones. He had gone ahead before us in times past and would somehow show his faithfulness yet again.
Taking our assigned seats in the big plane we buckled up, catching the excited buzz of our fellow passengers – home-bound tourists for the most part. I took in a few long breaths. My taut shoulders relaxed. Choctaw, Oklahoma, here we come.
A line in the dictionary offers up a succinct definition: “Either end of an airport runway, critical points of takeoffs and landings”. The word being defined –Threshold.
©2023 Jerry Lout
Great, as usual. The best part of these blogs are when they begin. Expectation of an inspiring message.
The negative part of the blogs are as the endings gets closer and closer. Many pages too short.
Keep up the wonderful writing for the rest of us earthlings. Much appreciated.
Very much appreciated, Walter.
“The reorienting to life in a familiar yet strange land.” – the perfect description of what happens during culture shock. I’m enjoying these virtual ‘travels’ with you and Ann.
Grateful for your taking them in, and the valued responses.