Thursday, December 4, 2008

Our lost bag arrived with some irony inside.

It's been a few days since our last entry. We were away from the world wide web for a few days. Just proving that its not as "world wide" as advertised. Whatever the case, we are back in the city and back online.
We just returned from the airport where we were fetching one of our lost suit cases. The airline told me that it had arrived, but that it was "leaking". Great, huh? We got through the malaise of security and unnecessary lines only to be taken through some more security and unnecessary lines. The anticipation of being reunited with more underwear was staggering. Just kidding. I was curious about what was 'oozing' from our suit case and in an odd sort of a way I was sentimentally anticipating our reunion. After waiting for two different people to open two different locks on the same door...there she was. My suit case dripping with pink fluid soaking the zipper. What could it be? You guessed it. The Costco sized bottle of Pepto Bismol. The damage was contained, but the irony was complete. The thing out of the bag that I could have put my nerves to rest was saturated into my wife's library book that was sharing the same compartment of the suit case. Oh well. Hakuna Matata as the kids say.
I've tried to keep my entries light hearted and brief. This has been a fun way to be thoughtful and relational during this journey.  I gotta tell you though. I'm wound pretty tight today. I've shed some tears. I miss the kids. We miss Tracy. I want this process to be successful and...over. Tanya and I are both fatigued from dealing with 'officials' whose job it is to be gruff and suspicious. I understand that everyone is doing their job and the time constraints that are upon us are self-imposed. Yet, we're a little frazzled. That's probably a nice way to put it. This morning I needed to find a guitar and find one NOW. Some prayers can't be spoken, they can only be sung. We all have a song. As I type I can hear the beautiful african rhythms and voices of a nearby Bible College. The students are singing their cry. I needed to cry out my song. Today there's is a song of celebration and mine was one of angst. My kids would say it's because I'm getting old. I would say it's because I'm getting soft. :)
We trekked across Uganda for a couple of days. We covered many miles and saw many things. It was nice to get out of the exhaust and pass some time together. We got pulled over by the police, saw Margaret Nelson (a missionary who used to live in Granite Falls), took pictures of a few animals we saw near Murchison Falls, changed a tire with some baboons, but those stories will have to wait. 
Now, it's Thursday. Tanya has finished cleaning our suit case and its time to get ready to go to Court. I feel His peace and presence come on me even as I write this.

Here is my meditation:
Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)
6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Love to all. I gotta go see a judge. Sing your song as we sing ours.

Jim

7 comments:

Joshua said...

Happy Birthday Jim!!! I love being a part of the process. See you guys soon.

Robyn Loucks said...

I just read Tanya's blog . . . CONGRATULATIONS!!!! What an amazing gift, and on your birthday, no less!! Still praying that the wheels of African process continue to turn. Oh, and congrats on the missing bag arriving . . . I was feeling your pain! :)

Collette Robbins said...

Happy birthday my friend. What a feat and such a celebration. Wish I could be there to welcome you guys home with everyone else! Love ya! Collette

Unknown said...

Yet another holiday to remember!
Your birthday! Congratulations on your new daughter! Two celebrations in one day!

Tanya said...

Happy Birthday & congratulations! We are just so happy for your family. See you soon.

Connie said...

I am so blessed to read how GOD continues to surround you all with amazing details and events. We can always count on our walk with GOD to be an adventure!! GOD has so blessed you with being able to see humor in things! My birthday prayer for you is to continue to see GOD in everything

baba yohan said...

hey bwana. So excited and rejoicing with you and your family! Our kids can't wait to meet Tracy. I've enjoyed the blog and I'm remembering your 21st in Likoni. Go out and have a bitterlemon for me. We'll continue to pray for Providence.