A new chapter, a new start

As we moved into our flat at the Wycliffe Centre on the 1st September I felt that this was a new chapter in our lives and our furlough, and a new start for us. This time of year often symbolises new beginnings after many years of starting a new school year or new school in September and this year has a similar feel. We were here for training 3 years ago at this time of year so there is a certain sense of ‘déjà vu’ in seeing the seasons turn in this part of rural Buckinghamshire. At the same time however, there is also a feeling of newness and I am excited about that.

For a start I feel like a different person to who I was when I was here in 2007. I have had the huge experience of moving to another country (another continent even) and settling there, adjusting to a new culture, learning a new language, meeting new people and doing the work I was trained to do, with all the accompanying joys and challenges. Whichever way you look at it that experience has to change and, hopefully, mature you! We have moved on, we are not the people we were 3 years ago (and I’m sure in many ways that is a positive thing!).

As well as a huge change in experience and worldview, many practicalities of living on the Centre have changed too. We are now living in a flat rather than just a room. We are extremely grateful for this! This means that we are able to cook for ourselves, when and what we want to. We can set our own routine! It also means we have more space, a place to chill out together. We now have privacy but also the option to invite people round.

This time, of course, means a new job for Matt as this was the main reason we have moved here. So he is adjusting to a new office, new colleagues and new responsibilities. Also, he is adjusting to working 8:30-5 (ish) again. The commute is not bad though (an optional 10 minute walk through the outskirts of the woods!)! My job has not yet changed, however, and it is rather strange communicating with people in Mbeya (often through Swahili) whilst looking out on squirrels in the nearby trees.

The people on Centre have also changed. This is a place of much coming and going so there are, as always, many new faces. There are new students, new interns, new staff... so we are getting to know some new names and faces. It is fun being here at the time of year that the students are here, though of course very different not being part of their ‘ready made community’ as we were a few years ago. It is great for Matt to have the opportunity to play volleyball and Wii and I have enjoyed watching films and chatting about our experiences in Tanzania. Of course, there are a few familiar faces from our last time here so it is great to be able to catch up with them and get to know them more.

This time also means a new church for us. We never got settled in a church when we were last here so now we want to get stuck into one as soon as we can. We won’t be around every Sunday due to commitments at supporting churches so we would love to start going to a church that has a small group we could feel a part of quickly. This is a very exciting part of our time here for me and we know that although the ‘perfect church’ is not out there the right one is!

This move feels so different after many months of travelling around, visiting people and staying with our families. Though that was a FANTASTIC time and we are so grateful to everyone who hosted us and blessed by all we were able to spend time with, we are so pleased to be where we are now. To me, a ‘settler’, it feels like a relief to be able to unpack at least some of our things and settle somewhere for a while. For me it is important to put down roots and it is great to be able to do that after 4 months of being ‘in transit’. I feel like this time is going to be good for me and for us!