6 months into our time in Tanzania, we’re starting to accumulate a list of heartaches that result from living in a different country.
There have been happy occasions we’ve missed out on:
- Engagements (weddings still to come)
- Long-awaited pregnancies and births
There have been sad moments when we’ve wanted to comfort others and have felt the distance keenly:
- Still birth
- Major job loss
- A friend struggling with loneliness
Sometimes it’s a mixture. We were touched at the outpouring of love for our Elliot at his first birthday, even from people we didn’t know who have been praying for us. However, we were also saddened that we were unable to celebrate in person with his extended family and godparents.
And then there are the things that aren’t good or bad, but which you just want to be there to share, like good friends of ours moving from overseas to our home town.
When you move to another country long-term you prepare for these losses. We believe that being in Tanzania is God’s good plan for us.
But that doesn’t make the grief any less real.
Categories: Uncategorized Written by Tamie
Tamie Davis
Tamie Davis is an Aussie living in Tanzania, writing at meetjesusatuni.com.
Meet Jesus at uni 
I was thinking about you guys this week for this very reason. I can relate. We’re almost at the 6mth mark too and have had some of the same thoughts in the last week. Grandma’s sickness and death, Grandfathers birthday, extended family get-togethers, birthdays in our immediate family….
Add that to just the normal culture shock settling in (which i’m sure is much bigger for you than us) and it’s definitely not easy. But it is good and right. God is present and in control here and there.
I’ve been praying for you. :)
What a cute little guy Elliot is. I am sure he is going to break a few hearts one day!
Yes Tamie, there is a lot to leave behind and a lot to miss out on……………..and to grieve. However, very soon you will begin to notice your progress and achievements and realize that God has been busy working with you in this first six months. Begin to focus your thoughts on how far you have already come, and the blessings you have already received, and perhaps some of the sad things will recede from your thoughts.
Be assured of our love and prayers
John Morshead