Although it still seems surreal at times, I have safely arrived back on Canadian soil, and have felt so loved and cared for from the very moment I stepped off the plane at Pearson airport. The incredibly warm “welcome home” greetings, encouragement, genuine interest, excitement, and generosity have certainly helped buffer the inevitable sadness of saying goodbye to many friends in Central Asia. Since returning, I have enjoyed spending some extended time with my family up at the cottage, and catching up with many dear friends. I am sure I experienced culture shock to some degree when first arriving in Central Asia, but to a greater extent, I am certainly experiencing some reverse culture shock now that I am back home. I am thankful for the grace and understanding so many of you have extended as I navigate my way through this new season.
Shortly after arriving on Canadian soil, I received an email and picture from one of my Gypsy team members, Catherine, which I believe will be an encouragement to you as well. The mayor’s wife from the Gypsy village we most frequently visited came for a visit to our team leader’s home along with one of her grandchildren. Arriving shortly after lunch time, Catherine came across this wonderful scene, captured in the picture below. The mayor’s wife was reading the story of Jesus’s birth directly from the Bible in Matthew 1-4, and was asking questions from our team leader. As she guided her through the verses, she became increasingly engrossed in the story. Catherine’s email spoke of how thankful she was for what the Lord is doing at this time among our gypsy friends, how she is looking forward to sharing more stories of God at work, and how he is answering prayers before our very eyes. God’s Word is living and active, and its power is changing lives each and every day. As such, we believe it is only a matter of time before this unreached people group of 35,000 is classified as reached.
Today I finally unloaded my suitcases and moved back into my home in Burlington. Last week, I had the opportunity to meet the wonderful Hunter family who rented my home while I was away this past year. The Hunter’s were an answer to prayer and one of the many ways the Lord provided for me throughout this journey. If you want to learn more about the journey the Lord has them on, you can check out their blog by clicking here.
Over the next number of weeks, I will be sorting through hours of footage and pictures I shot this year, and producing short films for a missions organization working in Central Asia. I also hope to continue writing and posting updates as frequently as I am able over the coming months. Please do check back from time to time as you remember. In the coming weeks, I will be posting a video I am currently creating focussing exclusively on my time and experience in Central Asia, and a few others giving more of an overview of the region. I will also be updating my Flickr account with pictures from recent months, including a few shots from the home I lived in.
Once again, sincerest thanks and gratitude to you all for your love and warm hearts as I transition back into Canadian culture. It has certainly been a very special time seeing so many people I dearly missed this past year.