Looking Back

[I've arrived back in Colorado after about 20 hours of flying yesterday/today. My semester has come to end, but I believe the memories, stories and relationships will be there for a long time to come. I wrote this post during my last night in South Africa on May 4.]

Tomorrow is May 5, and I'll be boarding a plan in less than 12 hours now that will take me back home to the U.S. As a group, we spent today reflecting on and evaluating the semester. I remember our very first meeting as a group back at APU in January, and it's hard to believe that group of 52 strangers 4 months ago is the same group of friends that met today to reflect. I'm not usually one for reflections and introspection, but I got a lot out of today's reflections and discussions. It hasn't even been 4 four full months, but it's already time to say goodbye to South Africa and return to life in America.

Through the relationships, experiences, adventures and interactions that I've been blessed with during my time in South Africa, I can truly say that I have grown as a student, Christ follower and as a human being. From incredible mentors and professors like Francis Njoroge to my amazing homestay family in Ocean View, I've met some incredible people in South Africa. It was so encouraging to be surrounded by such life giving people who are always there to lift you up and bless you. I saw a lot of who I want to be in the future in guys like Francis, Dan and Reg. It's comforting to know that there are people out there who are getting it right, and living life how it's supposed to be lived.

While it was tough sometimes going straight from touristy things like a water park in Durban to my service sight in Haniville, I experienced an incredible range of people and places in South Africa. I'll never forget people like Phindile, Bruce and Neels from Walk in the Light, or other amazing people that have been with us form start to finish like Reg, Reagan and Baba Philip. I saw so much love in these people and how they lived out there lives everyday.

Places like Lesotho, Kranzkloof, Carmel and Kalk Bay will be in thoughts for a long time to come. I can still remember the incredible peace I felt near Sani Pass in Lesotho, and the feel of the thick ocean air in Kalk Bay. Pictures help, but it won't be the same looking back on all of the amazing places I had the opportunity to visit this semester.

It's going to be a tough adjustment going from doing something new and exciting every weekend like horseback riding in Lesotho and bungee jumping the world's highest bridge to living a normal life back in Colorado. We talked a little bit today about reverse culture shock, which is what I'm sure I'll have to deal with when I resume life in America. While I don't have an accent and I haven't forgotten what a Chipotle burrito tastes like, I don't feel as connected to life as an American than I maybe used to. I think I'll be much more aware of materialism and consumerism and how American culture is different from South African culture. It's going to be strange being back in a position where I'm in control of my transportation, food-making and weekend activities. I know there will be adjustments I'll have to make in incorporating what I've learned in South Africa to living life in America.

So this is the end. It came a lot faster than I expected, and I don't think I'm quite ready for it. I know that it's important for me to go back so that I can apply what I've learned here. What was the point of studying abroad in South Africa if there's no change in how I think and live when I come back? Thankfully, I know that there has been change and growth, in so many ways. The challenge in front of me is going to be effectively sharing what I've learned, integrating it, and maintaining the growth that has occurred. South Africa has been nothing short of incredible for me, and it's sad to leave this beautiful country and it's people. But I have so much life in front of me, and so many places where I still need to grow and mature. I thank God for the blessings He's given me in allowing me to come to South Africa, and for the growth that He facilitated. I'm not the same person who started writing this blog in January, and I hope I'll continue to change and grow as a person. Goodbye South Africa, sala kahle and I hope I will see you again one day.