They say that when you make a BIG move, like
moving to another country or changing careers, it often takes 6 months to a
year to adjust to your new surroundings, to dismiss the need to return back to
the ‘normal’ life of the past. There is a roller coaster of emotions, the
excitement and anticipation of the adventure ahead, the new experiences gained
followed by corkscrew and big dips, sending you into all sorts of doubts and
questions about whether you have done the right thing. It’s not too long that something may click
into place and things are all well again.
This sentiment is true for our family too
(who have left their Welsh home and have moved to Zarqa in Jordan), who
experienced very similar emotions which often resulted in irrational calls for
a return home, particularly when things seemed too difficult or we have been struck
with D and V, usually by something we had eaten. In those times, when we would
say to ourselves and to the children “don’t worry.......and when we go back to
Wales you will miss Jordan, your new friends and the school etc”, really hoping
that would be the case.
Towards the end of our first full semester
in Jordan and having experienced some very extreme situations and developments
for the work we were doing, we were looking forward to a break back with
friends and family in the UK. Yet,
Lilian came to us shortly before our break, saying, “I don’t want to go back to
Wales.” This was after months of protests and tears, and trying come up with a
way of staying in Wales (believe us, she tried very hard). This statement did
and continues to encourage us as parents, who moved our children’s lives upside
down, to a very different country and culture, all on a leap of faith! It has
shown us how adaptable children are, and how God’s hand is on us all.
Our stay in Wales has been unexpectedly
emotional, with many challenging situations occurring and just re-entering a
culture that is almost opposite to the one that we have been immersed in for
the past 9 months. It has been frequent
to find our minds wandering to the ‘new home’ of Jordan and missing those that
we have become friends with, the unconventional ways of applying laws and generally
living life. Even the children occasionally mention that they miss Jordan,
that’s a turn up for the books!!
Despite this ‘pining’ for Jordan, we are
most grateful for this break and chance to catch up with family and friends. We
have enjoyed the snow, the amazing food, hospitality and being back in our home
land of WALES. The children have loved seeing their cousins and friends as well
as toys that they had almost forgotten about.
So, one week until we go back to Jordan,
and yet there is plenty to do and much to enjoy before we continue this
adventure in the wilderness.
Author - Richard
