Skip to main content

The end of yet another leg of the journey…

I was sat fiddling with the power cable for my little Acer laptop and suddenly I see smoke coming from it. Needless to say I quickly unplugged it and pondered how I would proceed being kind of “laptop-less”. This was Monday. And that is my explanation for the absence of blog posts this final week in Fortaleza (the reason I can write now is because I managed to borrow a cable to charge up my battery before leaving).

There are many thoughts to share and reflections on God’s goodness, but right now I’ve been travelling for around 29 hours and so I think the deeper reflections will have to wait until this wee traveler has had some sleep…

Right now I’m sat in Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. I got a coffee at the Parkcafe and am sat on the 2nd floor facing the façade of the Grand Cafe, reminded by the smell that the smoking room is right behind me. I would move, but the airport is pretty busy and I’m tired. It’s been an uneventful journey, but 29 hours on the “road” (or in the air and at airports) does take it’s toll. I did have a lovely break in the journey as I hopped on the train into the centre of Amsterdam and met up with some dear friends there and talked and ate and talked and had tea… a very good way to spend 6 hours.

As I said goodbye to old and new friends at the airport in Fortaleza my heart was yet again filled with thankfulness and sadness. Thankful for the gift of friends, and sad to yet again leave people I love so much. I wish I could have everyone I love around me all the time, or at least in the same country. But I guess I’ve come to embrace the journey. The journey of being a sojourner on this earth. The journey of getting to know people and places. The journey of learning about who God is and His love through the people I meet.

And so in my slightly frazzled state I am sat here at the airport. I’m connected to the IHOP webstream using one of my two 30-minute free internet slots, and as I take my last sip of coffee (which is pretty cold by now) I feel so thankful. Thankful for these past months and thankful for family and friends at home whom I’ve missed so much. And thankful for what lies ahead. It’s amazing how easy it is to feel God’s peace in an overfilled airport, because He is with me, always with me on this journey.

Popular posts from this blog

Packing...again.

I just folded the last load of laundry and I’m almost packed. Off to the airport at 5am tomorrow morning, heading off to Amsterdam. I’m excited, a bit nervous, and wondering what it’ll be like. It’s been a good week at home with lots of quality time with family, especially the little nieces and nephew. I’m glad I’ll see them in April again. Well, not much to write and packing to be done and a bit of sleep would probably be a good idea too. Next time I write it’ll be from Amsterdam....

Snapshots of life...

Life. What is life anyway? And what does it mean to live life to the full? A little reflection there. One thing I do know is that I am alive and that the days seem to pass by quicker then I would like them to. The month of July has literally flown by... I can’t believe this weekend it’ll already be August. Where did July go? It’s been an eventful month. Last week was my birthday and I felt very loved and valued. Going for a Brazilian BBQ with some friends in a week or so and I am very excited!! I really hope it’s authentic and good, or I think I will most certainly be a tad disappointed. I also got given a car, almost on the day of my birthday. A good friend of mine got given another car and so she gave me her old one. It took a week and a bit for the garage to fix it up and pass it in the inspection, and getting it licensed in my name and getting insurance wasn’t totally straightforward, but I now have it. And it feels so freeing and lovely when I’m driving my own car!!! It’s a golden...

Small moments that mean a lot

Walking home on the crunchy snow that lights up a December evening,  I felt so thankful. The revelation that fellowship and being together is the best gift you can give someone, and realising that although it might seem small, it can turn into something big when a person feels seen and valued.  Yesterday I helped out with a crafts workshop for a group of lovely women volunteering for Crux where I worked before (well, in all honesty: they were making angels while I ate Christmas cookies, Quality Street chocolate, and chatted). I love walking alongside people in conversation, and realise sharing life for 2 hours can last so much longer in value and experience.  This evening we had our Christmas dinner for volunteers and people who are part of my current job. It was a delightful evening with many nations gathered around the same table…. eating the same food… and for a few hours creating a small fellowship moment that will become a good memory for the future. Often in my job ...