For The First Time I Wish I Were There

I have lived in India since 1998, and until this past week I have never wished that I were anywhere else but here. Not for weddings, holidays, or vacations, ... It's just the way I am. I am where I am, and I don't waste time wishin' I was somewhere else.

But this, this, this is something on a whole other plane.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition has been in my Home Town of Pennsauken, NJ for the last week building a house for a needy family. My town, mine. Where we live when we go to the US. NOT ONLY THAT, (I know, hard to believe that there could be more) but they are building the house on property once owned by the church I grew up in. The church through which my parents were saved. The church where they were married, where my sister was married. The church where I was dedicated to God as a child, where I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior, where I was baptized. It's where I fell in and out of love, and where I spent almost every meaningful moment of my life until I was 18.

I actually have recurring dreams about both church buildings (one is a 100 year old original and the other is the "new building" - both now owned by Urban Promise.)

The lot where that was donated by Urban Promise to build this house was where we played countless hours of youth group games. Most memorably the one where 2 trees on opposite sides were "bases" and you had to run between them without getting caught - what's that called? I loved that game.

The church, the buildings, the surrounding neighborhood (Camden) were such a huge part of my growing up - of making me be who I am.

I just wish I could have been there to see Ty say:

MOVE THAT BUS!

(I realize they are moving in furniture in the above photo)

For more information on this - and pictures!(because some of you readers where there with me):
http://www.courierpostonline.com/
http://www.urbanpromiseusa.org/get_involved/emhe.html

Oh, that I have only one lifetime...