I’m feeling a bit sentimental (it happens a lot more as I increase in age) today being it is the 4th of July. We have a team from the USA here so we planned a small celebration for us all to enjoy. It will be a bit different than the “normal” 4th traditions. Our fireworks will consist of sparklers for the kids and instead of a picnic a bonfire will blaze as temps will only reach in the 30’s.My eminent sentiment stems not from lack of fireworks or tradition but from a remembrance of my heritage. Years ago, as we were preparing for our life as missionaries living in another country our paths crossed with many others already living this life. I learned so much from them. Many things that I wanted to emulate and many I did not. One of the latter included becoming an “American basher”. I do see the American culture a bit differently than I used to and I agree with many of its faults yet I fail to understand how one can so easily disown their heritage. I see a spiritual metaphor emerging with that one as well but I’ll let you meditate on that.
With all of its challenges I love the country in which I live. After 3.5 years of living here I still pinch myself to make sure it is not a dream. At the same time I am grateful for my American heritage and recognize if it weren’t for my heritage (geographically, spiritually and genealogically) I would not be where I am today. I would not have the privilege of loving the precious African people. So today as we blow out the candles on the cake of democracy and freedom it is not with rhetoric that I say, “I am proud to be an American”!
Happy Birthday and God bless America!
8 comments:
Special comments Michelle and they mean a lot because of who you are and where you are and your story which is so different from most of ours :o)
((hugs))
Susan
Be blessed my friend! God has given you a wonderful opportunity to serve SA! I do believe He placed you in America first to give you the ground work needed for this season in your life.
Happy 4th!
Amen to that.
We love you and the work you're doing in SA and we will miss you this 4th also.
Love,
Mom
P.S. Dad went to the Veterans memorial celebration here at the Villages.
Amen to that.
We love you and the work you're doing in SA and we will miss you this 4th also.
Love,
Mom
P.S. Dad went to the Veterans memorial celebration here at the Villages.
Beautifully stated.
Stay warm, my friend.
I'm glad you got to celebrate the 4th! I thought of you tonight as we were watching our fireworks, and I wondered if it was an occasion that you guys would mark or not.
Then later I was talking to a friend that works with my husband--he's going to be a PD on a trip to SA soon (next week, maybe? I'm not sure.) and he is SO excited--and he mentioned that his country contacts are the Franzen's! :)
I was also thinking of you and your family yesterday as we celebrated Independence Day. God Bless you for the difference you are making in SA!
Hope you had a great July 4th.
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