The Ultimate Sundowner

It is hard to believe that our time in Sanyati is coming to a close.  Lately, the sunsets here have been remarkable.  I borrowed the title of this post from a billboard in Harare.  I forget what it was advertising but it shows the differences between British English and American English.  The sign said something about experiencing the ultimate sundowner.  When you first see the words it catches your attention because the advertisement is trying to entice you to go somewhere for a good experience.  For me as an American, downer does not bring to mind a positive image but you learn to not go on your first impression here in Africa.

The red sun setting over the thorn bushes and trees seems to foreshadow last moments we are experiencing.  Yesterday, I took the last team to the blacksmith.  We left as the sun set there.  We had the last “sale” where the local women have an opportunity to sell their goods to the teams coming through.  I have heard it also called the “Sanyati Baptist Hospital Gift Shop.”  Rashel and Paige had their last children’s Bible study.  We have taken down the last asbestos and put on the last roofing panels.  Two more days to work with the last team and then it is time to close everything up for the year.

I am currently listening to “Breathe You In” by Thousand Foot Krutch and tears are very close as they often are these days.  I am not sure how to return home and leave everything and everyone I have come to know behind.  Last year it was difficult to leave after 10 days.  I have no idea how to cope with it this time.

Breathe You In by Thousand Foot Crush
Click here to listen on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irmjX6uXvlA
Taking hold, breaking in
The pressures all need to circulate
Mesmerized and taken in
Moving slow, so it resonates
It's time to rest, not to sleep away
My thoughts alone, try to complicate
I'll do my best, to seek you out
And be myself, and not impersonate

[Chorus:]
I tried so hard to not walk away
And when things don't go my way
I'll still carry on and on just the same
I've always been strong
But can't make this happen
'Cause I need to breathe, I want to breathe you in
The fear of becoming
I'm so tired of running
'Cause I need to breathe, I want to breath you in
I want to breathe you in

I'm going in, so cover me
Your compass will, help me turn the page
The laughing stock, I'll never be
Because I won't let them take me

[Chorus]

Took awhile to see all the love that's around me
Through the highs and lows there's a truth that I've known
And it's you

I've always been strong
But can't make this happen
'Cause I need to breathe, I want to breathe you in
The fear of becoming
I'm so tired of running
‘Cause I need to breathe, I want to breathe you in
I want to breathe you in
I want to breathe you in
I want to breathe you in
I want to, I want to
I want to breathe you in
I want to breathe you in
I want to breathe; I want to, I want to
Wanna breathe
I want to breathe you in
I want to breathe you in
I wanna breathe
…

I close this post as I listen to my playlist almost in the same order as I left America.  Here are some of the titles:

Come and Listen – David Crowder Band
Lose My Soul – Tobymac
Hanging by a Moment – Lifehouse
Breathe You In – Thousand Foot Krutch
Your Name – Radial Angel
Revelation Song – Gateway Worship
When I Think about the Lord – Shane and Shane
Nothing but the Blood – Tree63
Mountain of God – Third Day
Lay ‘Em Down – Needtobreathe
Born Again – Newsboys
Lead Me to the Cross – Newsboys
Come Thou Fount – David Crowder Band
Mystery – Charlie Hall
I Refuse – Josh Wilson
You Hold Me Now – Hillsong United
Sweetly Broken – Jeremy Riddle
You Are God Alone – Phillips, Craig and Dean
At Your Name – Tim Hughes
Follow You – Brandon Heath
In the Hands of God – Newsboys
Blessings – Laura Story
You and Me – Lifehouse
Cry Out to Jesus – Third Day
Closer - Philmont
Rescue – Desperation Band
What I’ve Overcome – Fireflight
Always – Kristian Stanfill
The Difference - Philmont
Desperate – Fireflight
Crazy Love – Hawk Nelson
At Your Name – Phil Wickham
I Still Believe – James Clay

Wrote this about a week and a half before posting it…Ryan