Sheri and I drove back to Dalmeny from Winnipeg today. We landed in Winnipeg yesterday evening and we both enjoyed some very tight hugs from our kids. I think they’ve grown.
Coming home is interesting. It feels totally surreal to be here. Everything is in its place just as we left it, and yet it seems different somehow. The lawn is greener and it needs a mow. Our tree has grown. Dad Pauls fixed our back door while we were gone so that is different too (thanks Dad). But for some reason I don’t think those are the things that are giving me this feeling. I am sure this is my home, but do I still belong here?
How on earth can I come to terms with the fact that I am now back in Canada and all the people who stole a chunk of my heart have remained in Ukraine? Our team made connections and friendships with the people in Talne that I would never have believed possible prior to leaving on our trip. It was amazing to see the relationships that Len & Myra had with many of the people already. It is clear to see that these people love Len & Myra. We anticipate a statue of Len & Myra will be erected at some point in the future in Talne. Sheri and I also began relationships that will last for our lifetime and hopefully beyond.
At almost every home we visited as a team, our host had the same request: “Tell us how you came to Christ.” What an absolutely fundamental question. For so many on our team the answers were much the same – we were born into a Christian home and there were some circumstances in our lives which led to us making our relationship with Jesus Christ real to us. When we asked the same question of our hosts the answers varied greatly. Many of their stories were nothing short of miraculous. This question, for me, embodies a lot of how I came to see our brothers and sisters in Talne. Sincere. Open. Genuine.
What an amazing experience. Come talk to me about it. I know I don’t look or act like a talker – basically that is because I don’t really like talking. But who cares. Don’t let that stop you from coming to talk to me.
Pondering how I am going to go forward from here….
Jon
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