When you go away for a holiday, you usually go for 2 weeks – 3, if you’re lucky. Depending on where you go, you can put up with different food, climate, toilets, language, insects etc…. because you know that within 2 weeks, you’ll be back to all the comforts of home… Moving to a different country is a different ball game! As our trip, draws to a close (29th March, we’ll be leaving for the UK), you start to think about the things you’ve missed and the things you’re looking forward to having back in your life. Of course, when I talk about things, I don’t mean friends and family… they are in your thoughts EVERY day especially your kids. That is the hardest thing about being away for sure!! You miss birthdays, anniversaries etc… it’s hard…. But, if I’m honest,  you do also miss things – yes, you can live without them but its better if you don’t have to isn’t it? 

So, the things I miss are a bath! Next time you have one, think about what it would be like if you couldn’t have one…. candles, book maybe a glass of wine…..aaaah! (not long now Deb!!) I miss roast dinners: chicken, vegetables, gravy, yorkshire puddings…. I can smell it as I write! Fajitas! One of my favourite foods! I miss drinking straight from the tap and I miss really nice cheese! Although it is getting better out here for that now…. I miss texting or phoning who I want and when I want. I have Viber, Whatsapp and Face book etc… which has made communication so much easier.. but what about those friends who don’t have any of those things.. how are they doing? 

One of the other things I discovered, I really miss is singing! I love to sing and for those of you who know me, know that’s true. I have my iPhone and when it gets desperate, I plug in my headphones and sing to my heart’s content (sorry for those who are around at the time!) I don’t think there’s many things worse than someone singing loud and they’re the only ones who can hear the music!

Let me take it to another level, the level that urged me to write this blog. I REALLY miss singing praise and worship! We’ve only been to one English service since we’ve been here, all the others have been Swahili and, whilst you can enjoy the dancing, the beat, the LOUD music and sometimes out of tune singing, it’s not the same as singing Michael W Smith or Darlene, Chris Tomlin or Matt Redman at the top of your lungs! I was recently having one of those times – walking and singing (I’m sure a bit too loud!) and just loving singing the songs of the above mentioned worship leaders – it was fabulous. So, I felt that I should write to you to ask you when was the last time you said thank you to your worship team (if you have one!) Have you appreciated them lately? I am a worship leader and, within 3 weeks, I will be back doing just that – I’m really looking forward to it because I’ll be able to sing songs that I understand and also lead others in those songs. Being a worship leader is a privileged position that shouldn’t be taken for granted by either the worship leader or the congregation.  

The longest I have ever gone without a joint worship experience was when we lived here in 1998 and didn’t go home for 2 years! We went to our national conference back in the UK and I sat, or rather danced, with my good friend Trish who was a missionary in Ghana and I thought I was in heaven! It was great! Music is a gift from heaven, singing is great – if you like that kind of thing. Worshipping in a lively church with friends and family is special – don’t take it for granted. 

Have a great Sunday! – and say thanks to those who will lead you! 

If you’d like to keep up with our news, you can sign up on http://www.agapelife.co.uk

Also, below is the link to the book I’ve written which tells of my story so far!