Mzungu in the District

Welcome back! USA to Africa!
Left to right: Kate, Tirzah, Doug and Diana

I couldn't have asked for a better welcome home. It's true I have some of the greatest friends on the planet. Tirzah pulls up curbside to pick me up with her car all decorated in welcome signs! She knew I was sad to be home and her excitement to see me was just what I needed. Africa to America may only be a day of flying apart, but it's a world apart...

The drive home was short and I excitedly talked about my adventures away and inquired about the hubbub of the District. Tirzah had had a long couple of weeks moving and I think it was good for me to hear the more normal circumstances of my home.

As we neared my apartment, I realized I wasn't even excited to be in it. My home had become my house while I was away.

My staircase up to the door seemed long. The double lock keeping my things safe seemed excessive. I slowly inserted by key, not sure what the other side held for me. I've never been away from my apartment for that long and not really missed it. I didn't know what to expect.

What was on the other side, I never would've guessed. Kate, Diana, Doug and Tirzah had surprised me with a welcome home party!!! I had an instant realization that it was their faces that I wanted to see. There was so much to talk about and my brain was still in sleep mode from my flight. It was so special to be welcomed by my nearest and dearest friends.

I realized quickly enough that I hadn't become an entirely new person. My first thought went to how messy I had left my apartment! They assured me it wasn't, but I know better...I'm fairly certain they made my bed. Now, that is true friendship!!

We made small talk - I couldn't handle much more than that! The adventures too numerous, the challenges too massive, and the changes too precise to even know where to begin. For now, the short conversations would suffice. I have so much to share that I can't imagine I'll ever convey justly.

I was asked what single word I would use to describe my experience and it took me just a few minutes to decide what it was...happy. Not my happiness, which, of course, I was, but their happiness. I have never seen so many smiles and so much joy in my life. Moshi is a town of immense wealth...just not the kind we are used to in the States.

I've started thinking about my future plans. I want to go back. I have to go back...a piece of me is still there. I don't want to return to help them. They don't need help. They are more rich than so many people here in the States. I realize that's another trite statement and a gross overgeneralization, but it's simply the truth. I have even seen that in my life, I find myself always needing and wanting more. How can that be? I am one of the wealthiest people I know -- I have a healthy family and friends who I can always count on and are always by my side. I think that's what everyone learns when they go to Africa. The people in their lives are what make a life worth living. I learned even more...

Left to right: Tirzah, me, Kate and Diana

Left to right: Tirzah, me, Diana and Doug