Re-Entry is often one of the most difficult things about missions.  It starts off with the celebration of completing a mission and the joy of returning home to friends and family who are excited to hear the stories and have you back in their lives. But after a few gatherings and a couple of trips to the grocery store you begin to feel this uneasiness.  Why are people talking about TV and movies all the time? No I didn’t catch the “big game” on Saturday.  How can everything at the store always be on SALE? And please stop giving me so many choices of cereal.  Do we really need 3 aisle of cereal? (If you answered yes, you may need to keep reading and check yo self)

 It’s the reverse culture shock that gets me.

I’m in South Africa right now and I’m in a part of South Africa that is very western. It’s got many similar conveniences but somehow, is very different. I met a friend for breakfast at a mall and grabbed a cup of coffee from McDonalds. Yet it’s not the same. There is something different about the US, something so very different. From the moment I step off the plane stateside, I feel these invisible hands slide over my shoulders; massaging and seducing me to let my guard down.  What is it?

 I believe there is a spirit of comfort, consumerism and an addiction to entertainment that reigns in the U.S. and it’s got its roots deep in our hearts. I don’t believe comfort, convenience, money or “stuff” is intrinsically wrong, but somehow we have given in to its ruthless demands and allowed it to reign in our hearts and lives.

My prayer for our family, as we go back, is that we are free from the grip of the Matrix. That we are lucid and sober to the realities we have experienced here in Africa. My prayer is that we keep our priorities straight and that we continue to be a voice to set the captives free.

So most recently; we had a fantastic time of De-brief with our team on the North Coast of South Africa (Balito Bay) and despite the 7hrs on the side of the road broken down, we ended up having 4 great days, resting, reflecting and preparing our team for a new chapter in their lives. We have also had a few days to spend with family here in South Africa and we will be sad to go.

Prayer Requests:

1. Travel.
Annie is almost 8 months prego and really feeling done. We have an 18hr flight and desperately need some relief thrown in there.

2. Transition.
(see above)

3. Support.
We have to get back on the support raising trail. With #2 joining us in January we are in need of additional family supporters who will come alongside us in the Lord’s work.

Love from

Annie, Allan, Judah and the Bump.

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 20th, 2011 at 8:05 am and is filed under Allan and Annie. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.