Sometimes, the work that I do here feels so normal. It feels like an everyday, breathe in breathe out, type of work. I see people that I know everyday (now that all these volunteers are here especially) and it feels comfortable.
But, then there are times that it is extremely difficult to be so far away from my friends and family back in the States. There are times when I'm overwhelmed by the distance between us. And there are times when I just grieve the relationships that are strained by the miles.
...when a friend announces her engagement to a man I have yet to meet...
..when my family gets another foster child that I won't meet for almost a year...
...when a friend is pregnant with her second baby and I can't be there to walk through the process...
...when grief hits a friend and her family...
...the uncertaintly of finding someone to share my life with...
...when a friend struggles and needs someone to share the load...
...hearing of a friend's decision to move away...
...seeing my nephew and friend's children grow up, and not being there to get to know them...
It's in moments like these when I feel so very far away and in the midst of the hundreds of children I see everyday...it's in moments like these that I feel alone.
I love my place here in Ghana. I love the work that I do here. I have known a new way of living by faith and seeing God provide in powerful ways. Yet, there are times when I just miss HOME. You know that feeling...where every guard is laid aside and you can completely be yourself? That homey feeling where you are warm, and comfortable, and completely at ease with life.
I've learned the many homes that I have been given through living here in Ghana, visiting friends in Australia, meeting new people from all over the US, knowing the value of "home is where the heart is". But, it's in these moments, even though I'm at home in Ghana, that I feel my heart with these friends and with my family.
Sometimes, it's just hard being away.
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Hi Autumn, my name is Anne Hardman. My husband is michael hardman. Hes there right now with the ghana rock team. I found your blog on madi's fb page. I read your first posting last week. Ive found myself putting my two girls to bed and slipping off to read your blog postings. Please know how inspiring your stories are. They make me want to get on the next plane over to ghana! I believe God has used your blog to open my eyes and break my heart wide open for this ministry and the children, the ones that have been rescued and the ones yet to be rescued. I can only imagine how you long for your family and friends....Ive missed Michael so much. Just reading your blog has made me feel closer to Michael because I know that theyre there where you are. Weird, but true. Anyway, please know you are making a difference and thru it all His grace is sufficient to meet all your needs. Remember, this world is not our home, its where we work and we're just passing thru! If you see Michael tell him hello and I love him! Oh and hopefully you and I will meet in Ghana one day really soon!
ReplyDeleteHey Anne, thanks for your comment. It was such a joy to have the Ghana Rock team here. Such an amazing group!!
DeleteThanks for your prayers, encouragement, and support!
Hopefully, one day we will gdt to meet face to face.
Blessings,
Autumn