So we are back in the UK!!
It was a crazy last few weeks. Firstly my computer died after a power surge and therefore i had little to no connection to the internet, hence not being able to write a blog. Then i got incredibly poorly through my doxicycline getting stuck in my esophogus. After a 6 days of pain every time i swallowed food or drink, one night of excruciating pain where lieing and and swallowing saliva was agony, and an inspection from a retired doctor it was decided i should see a doctor in Dar Es Salam. Turn out Doxicyclin has an acid external coating which when stuck in your esophegus can cause ulceration. As it was uncertain that they would be able to help me in Dar i was told i had to pack up all my things and plan for returning to the UK a week and a half before i was due to leave. Faced with a potential few hours left in Iringa I said goodbye to as many people as i could and headed to my, potentially last, bible study group which i had joined while i was there. At this group I was sat in the middle of a circle and prayed for. I also let people know at home i needed prayer and they promised me they were praying.
The next day i got on a bus and headed on a 9 hour journey to Dar. It was aweful drinking let alone eating anything. We arrived in Dar to find out the machine we needed to check my esophogus was in one particular hospital and the person who knew how to work it had died the year before. I just thought 'that's it, i'm going home to England as there is no point me going to Nairobi to see someone. The next mornig i got out of bed and had a cup of tea...it idn't hurt!! I had breakfast and with every swallow i waited and...it didn't hurt! Coincidence? Perhaps but for me that is a bit too big a coincidence.
We went to the hospital anyway and saw a general doctor who said if i was making progress it sounded as though i would be ok but prescribed something incase it got worse again. The next day i took the bus back to Iringa and enjoyed my last week in town and week and a half in Tanzania. It might be a coincidence in some people's eyes but i believe it was an answer to prayer and because people loved and supported me in this powerful way.
Back in Iringa I enjoyed a last day at school, served at Neema and celebrated proper goodbyes. Then we got on a bus and travelled back to Dar before heading on two minibuses and a taxi to the airport on tuesday morning.
Now i am home and trying to absorb all that has happened. I sat on the airoplane and thought 'gosh that really all happened!'. For three months nothing has been predictable or known and now i am surrounded by familiar surroundings it feels like some strange comma i was in. Yet i have scars and marks to show for the time missing. Part of the marks include those left by people i met and love in Iringa. Others are from those here who i left behind.
One thing i learnt while i was there was that in order to build relationships in a constantly changing community you have to be vulnerable and jump right in. I tried to do this. The truth is this leads to hurt and pain but the other option is never fitting in, never making an impact and not fulfilling the role God has for you to do. It hurts!!! But gosh is the pain worth it!!
The quote i have today is from a Christian Song writer and artist Rebecca St James. This is a woman of God who is a real inspirtation to me.
I was removed from all my support systems physically when i left for Africa but God was with me. he provided new support systems and gave me the choice to accept or decline them. Now i am home and hurting it would be easy for me to say 'why did i even bother?' but i praise God that He gave me those relationship, even as i was sitting on the bus to Dar on Sunday morning bawling my eyes out i praise Him for the opportunity to meet and build the relationships i have. They have been so imcredibly important to me and i believe it was because of their prayers that i was healed and could return to Iringa for one last week. They stood be side me and cried on God for healing.
Of course it wasn't and hasn't been just them who have supported me. Each of you have been praying and supporting me through e-mails and facebook messages, reading this blog, comments etc. I have never once forgotten how much love and support i have received from you all and continue to do so. It is because of you that I have been protected and had strength. So Thank You!!
I will continue to keep you updated as i walk through this continnuing adventure now i have returned to the UK.
Thank you again, all my love and prayers, Deborah ><>
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