Leaving London AGAIN...it's becoming more painful!

The last six weeks have been ones of joy, fun, sadness, frustration and hope. I have been challenged to think about and view life's fragility, deal with cultural taboos, attempt to speak in a foreign language, travel to "no travel" zones, sleep under the stars in the Saharan desert, make new friends, sleep in different time zones, eat 'organ-sauce,' begin loving to use outdoor "squatty--potties," hold babies, give and receive gifts, and so much more. What a privilege it is to travel!

My trip to Burkina Faso did not turn out at all the way I expected to...but then I expected that! What it did confirm, however, is my love for people of foreign countries and languages and my desire to work in humanitarian aid. Wrangling with rural nurses over treatment regimens and observing out-dated and outlandish clinical skills being practiced were challenging. However, one of the nurses I worked with was very open to whatever input I had which was absolutely wonderful.

I was blessed to have this opportunity to revisit England, catch up with friends, visit Burkina Faso, make new friends and a second family was an incredible opportunity. I am still thinking and processing so many things. But what I did find out is that no matter how good or bad an 'experience' is, that memory can still be looked on with fondness just because of the people who were present with you to experience it with you.

I will miss my Burkinabe family. I will miss London and my friends there. But I will have the opportunity to travel again (D.V.) and see new people, make new friends, speak new languages and try new cultural foods.

This coming summer is one of unknowns and 'knowns' (if I may say that about the future!), but it is one where I get to spend time with loved ones. How much better does it truly get?

Up, up and away!

Tomorrow I'm off again...another trip to the airport. I feel sometimes that the airport is more of a home than my actual "home" is...whatever and wherever that may be as I moved out of my place just before flying off to the UK. My next destination: Burkina Faso. Exact location: unknown. Job: Nurse with some advisory capacity. Purpose: varied medical endeavors. Yup, it really is all up in the air at this point. But then again, I am traveling to Africa where time has a completely different meaning. So, I think of it as a slight advantage that I am "in the dark" as to my exact duties and locations while in Burkina. Whatever happens happens. I just am stepping forward in faith and trusting that God will work through my own inadequacies and weakness to accomplish His purpose.

Burkina Faso happens to be one of those places that most people say to me when I say, "I'm going to Burkina Faso!", reply with, "Where is that?" Even a good African friend said to me that Burkina Faso (in comparison to my last trip to Zambia) is relatively backwoods. So, I am expecting little and hoping for much. Please pray for me as I step into a country unknown to me so that God's light will shine brightly!

I have had a wonderful last two weeks of vacation in London visiting and catching up with friends and finally. I have visited old haunts and have (unfortunately) gorged on way to many greasy (fish and chips) and fatty foods (cakes, pies, puddings, etc., etc.). I visited good friends in Oxford and experienced life as a "student," stepping into the colleges and participating in May Day (except for the bridge jumping part of course!). I am truly blessed that I could return and visit. To all my London friends, thank you.

Well, I'm off to sleep. It's an early start tomorrow!