Friday, July 9, 2010

Nesting

We moved into our apartment in Kananga on Monday. It was a much-anticipated move, after 8 months of traveling week to week, living out of a suitcase. We’ve been anticipating this move for many months now, and we are both excited about the prospect of getting ‘settled’. It is a slow process though…we do not yet have a way to cook, or curtains, or a barrel to store water in. But it is such a great feeling to have a place to call home!!

Our first day, we walked to town and bought some cleaning supplies. We are pacing ourselves, getting a few things each day that help make the house ‘functional’. Our quest to get set up is also proving to be a method of learning the town and connecting with people—a valuable lesson! But it does require a lot of patience.

We can lay in bed in the morning and watch the small market across the street come to life…because we do not yet have curtains. We can find some bread just across the street for breakfast…because we don’t yet have a way to cook anything. Bob joked that in the U.S. some couples only have a candle-light dinner once in a blue moon, but we have one every night…because we do not yet have another form of electricity or light. So…we are learning to appreciate the things we do have and be patient about the ‘creature comforts’.

We read a poem last night that seemed rather fitting to this stage. Here is one quote:

“It takes a heap o’ living in a house t’ make it home,
A heap o’ sun an’ shadder, and’ ye sometimes have t’ roam
Afore ye really ‘preciate the things ye lef’ behind,
An’ hunger fer ‘em somehow, with ‘em allus on yer mind.
It don’t make any differunce how rich ye get t’ be,
How much yer chairs and’ tables cost, how great yer luxury;
It ain’t home t’ye, though it be the palace of a king,
Until somehow yer soul is sort o’ wrapped ‘round everything.”

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7 comments:

Kiki said...

Hooray for a home that means no more suitcases from day to day.

Praying as you get settled!

Anonymous said...

It makes my heart so happy to read this post and see a picture of you two 'nesting' in your new home. We miss you - and the laughter we'd often hear from your kitchen window as dishes clanged together... but I know those two sounds will bless your new neighbors. Enjoy!!

Patti Lacy said...

May God continue to bloom your marriage through sacred and secret things that are not dimmed by materialism!!!

Blessings,
Patti

P.S. Did I miss the post about the holiday???

patti
www.pattilacy.com/blog

Anonymous said...

It's a joy to lift you guys up in prayer as I read through your updates. Thank you for making the effort to get these reflections onto the web, I'm so grateful for the perspective of hearing how God is a work in such a different geography. Your prayers for our work in Pittsburgh is such a gift, we too are waiting to get settled into our new living space! Blessings, Karen

Catherine said...

We're in the same boat, on opposite sides of the world! (Although, I do have electricity! :) )

Lisa said...

Great news! I'm so glad to hear you can begin to settle into your new home and no more suit cases! I love reading about the joys you find in the process and your candle lit dinners :) God bless you both!

Health Nut of Lewes, Delaware said...

Hi Bob and Kristi!

How fascinating to read your blog! Esp. since we know several of the folks! Wish we could have been to the prayer meeting!

Blessings, Annick and Buz