Tomorrow we will have been in Australia for 2 weeks. My goal on several days has been to get to the end of the day without crying. I have not been very successful. My tears are not so much homesickness as they are the result of overwhelm. But today I did not cry. Today was a good day. We went for coffee* at our home church** and three things in particular made the morning restful for me.
First, the heater was on. We are so cold, all the time. Australian winter is not cold by the standards of many places in the world, but it is very cold compared to Dar Es Salaam and Australian buildings are not well insulated or set up to keep warmth in. We have friends who moved from the UK and said they felt colder during an Adelaide winter than a London one because of the lack of infrastructure. We’ve kitted ourselves out with thermals and coats and fingerless gloves but I do not enjoy wearing so many layers. It was so warm in the church cafe that I took my coat off! It was a relief.
Second, someone at church talked to me about high school Maths pedagogy for maybe half an hour. I’m not that into Maths myself but I’m very into pedagogy, and love hearing people talk about their passions, especially if they’re good at explaining them to the layperson, which she was. But the best thing was that it was time when I was not talking or thinking about myself and what we are going through at the moment. I wasn’t trying to answer tricky questions like, “How are you?” or, impossible ones like, “Are you feeling settled / at home yet?”*** I was the one asking questions, about something completely unrelated to our transition, and my brain and heart got a little space. It was a great kindness.
Third, while I was sitting at the table learning about high school Maths pedagogy, Callum was getting a crash course in physics from a top engineer. This is the kid who last month asked me how it’s possible to turn a sphere inside out (Me: “Go ask Dadda.” Arthur: “I think I’ve seen a Youtube video about that, let me show you.”) There is nothing better for Callum’s busy brain that having older, smart people willing to take the time to chat with him about his interest areas. And it’s a joy for me when it’s not Arthur or me!
In this morning’s Pray As You Go I was encouraged from Zechariah 9:9-10 to reflect on Jesus with us as victorious, humble and bringer of peace, with a rule that extends over all the earth. He is always with us, including on the hard days or when we feel alone or overwhelmed, but at this morning’s coffee, the peace he gives was very tangible to me, even as our family continues to live between worlds.
*They are in a month of Sabbath, in which there is no Sunday service, in order to make space for other disciplines and practices.
**We have 8 wonderful partner churches.
***People who ask us things like this are of course very good-hearted and I appreciate their interest and care and I am happy to answer!
Categories: Written by Tamie
Tamie Davis
Tamie Davis is an Aussie living in Tanzania, writing at meetjesusatuni.com.
Meet Jesus at uni 
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