Back in Bolivia

Thursday morning, 6:30 a.m.: Chicago, forty degrees and breezy. Having left home in Michigan the day before, I say a hurried goodbye to my parents at Midway airport, leave them my winter coat, wade through security, then run to gate A10, barely making my flight.

Friday morning, 9:30 a.m.: Santa Cruz, eighty degrees. Rubbing my eyes, I step off the plane at Viru Viru International and am hit by a gust of hot, humid air. While I wait for my luggage to come out on the conveyor belt, I slip out of the cardigan I first put on yesterday morning in what seems like a different world. Then, pulling my suitcases behind me, I walk through the doorway and find two friends and MCC colleagues waiting for me, ready to drive me home.

So I´m back. Am I home, or did I leave home behind me? It´s hard to know. It was good to be in the U.S. again, spending time with family, catching up and sharing news and memories with old friends. It´s also good to be back in Bolivia, among newer friends, giving and receiving hugs and asking about each other´s Christmases. I guess the lesson here is that God is good!

Life changes, but God is with us always. May you know his faithfulness through all the changes this new year brings.

Photo captions:
(top) Flying over the Andes, approaching La Paz
(bottom) Flying into Santa Cruz