It is 2012. Can you believe it? We are at that point again where we take a good look at the last year and then see how we hope to make the new year ahead better/improved/changed/___________(you fill in the word). I have never been one to “do” New Years Resolutions as I have never been able to “stick” by them. So I rather like to say that I “reflect” rather than “resolve” at this time of year.
2011 held many things for the Barnes’ Family: We spent January to March in the USA finalizing plans to move to Mozambique & making sure my mom was well & recovered from her cancer surgery. Then in March we made the big move to Maputo, dogs and all. We landed in this big, African city with nothing but our suitcases and without knowing a soul. But in those 9 months we have learned Portuguese, made new friends, the kids have started and completed a grade at the Maputo International School, expanded our African cultural views, tried lots of new fish, explored new places, experienced Xitswa worship, made a new home for ourselves, learned to drive a bit more aggressively (ahem!), and have been challenged in new ways we never expected. It was one of those years that will be marked in my mind as life-changing…it stands out from the rest. Just like 2002 when we first moved from the USA to South Africa. Or 2003 when we adopted Khaya and 2004 when Aly was born. Those kind of years!
And as we look into 2012, who knows what all it will hold! But as I reflect, I don’t remember being so thankful for so many things. My family, my mom’s 1 year cancer free anniversary, my children who are both incredibly great kids and so clever, a husband that is kind, generous & super smart (that Dr. Rev. is now getting his PhD thesis published into a book this year!), for a house that has water & electricity, a car to get us about town, food in the cupboards, ground to grow my veggies, 2 geriatric wienner dogs that are still full of love, great neighbors & friends, and I could just go on and on. But I think one of the lessons learned from 2011 is that we truly have so much to be thankful for, even in the hardship and darkest moments, we have so much!
For me, it is easy to look around my surroundings and see the need, the poverty, hungry, the “lack of” so much. All I have to do is open my gate and look out into the street and it is in your face. That is Mozambique. And it would be so easy for me to keep walking, to keep on driving, and not see any of it. Ignore it and rather just focus on the beauty of the sea that we also drive past everyday. Instead I choose to look people in the eyes as I past by and say “Bom Dia!” I smile at the children as I see them playing in the swampy water. I buy fruit from the lady on the street that is outside the gate in hopes that it helps with her income for the day. I choose to try my best, day by day, to be the presence of Christ. And sometimes, well…to be honest…often times, it is hard and it is tough work. And even more often, I mess up. I say the wrong thing, or I say nothing at all. I get angry and walk away instead of trying to work through the language & culture & corruption. I cry. Nope, not easy, but that is what my calling (and as people of faith, ‘our’ calling) is and it, too, is a blessing!
Blessings of love, of peace, hope and of joy to you as you reflect and resolve for 2012!!
