Dad, can we live in Africa some day? (Post 1)

I was following as she rode her bike in front of me. She stopped, turned around, and asked: “Dad, can we live in Africa some day?” 

Those that know me understand that I have an addictive personality. Whether it be energy drinks, travel, or exercise…I am all or nothing. When I am in…I am totally in. This story will be no different. 

In 2003, as I was getting ready to be a Physical Education teacher to 3rd and 4th graders at Edgerton’s Community Elementary school, I heard Katie Couric on the Today Show talking about a devastating tornado that had ripped through Pierce City, Missouri. On the way to work I made a phone call…my friend at the other end immediately was on the same page. We were going.

In 2004 the world was rocked by the Boxing Day Tsunami. How could something be so devastating and how in today’s world could people not have been warned it was coming. Same friend, quick phone call, this time he asked, “Are you for real?”.  (Watch us doing the Hokey Pokey in Sri Lanka below)

After our first tornado and two trips to tsunami stricken Sri Lanka, we had a team, hundreds of supporters, and some cash. Adrenaline rushing - we made a choice - it was time to head to Africa. My friend researched, had a friend already there, and found a school to assist: 2006 was Kenya.

Growing up, I was blessed, I had supportive, unwavering parents. Whatever the idea, they supported me. Some ideas were great, some good, many bad, and most never moved past the idea stage. There have been three tornados, two hurricanes, a tsunami, an earthquake, and seven trips to Kenya. It has been 11 years and the next step is a big one.

My family and I are moving to Kenya.

I’ll repeat it… My family and I are moving to Kenya.

I will be resigning my position in the Edgerton School District. Selling our house, three vehicles, a camper, and lots & lots of stuff. No house, no cars, nothing but my wife and children, friends and a dream. A dream that was first dreamt with that same friend…August, 2006 in Nairobi while we were preparing to fly home from our first trip to Kenya. As we sat in our hotel that late night in Nairobi, we were emotional and scared. Neither of us were properly prepared for what we had just experienced. On top of that there was a terrorist scare and we were in the middle of it. I don’t believe either of us had ever truly felt terror before that night.

It’s crazy to remember that night, 8 years ago, it seems like a lifetime ago. As scared as we were, we also reflected on the trip, and that is when the dream was born: “As teachers, we don’t think we will have enough money to do all of the things we would like to do to help, but if we can bring more people and each will do something small, together big things will happen.”

"If we can bring more people and each will do something small, together big things will happen.”

About two years ago, my church started asking about a Kenya trip for their high school aged youth group. I was excited to plan this trip and we worked hard to prepare for the Summer of 2014. As it came near, my excitement waned. I told my closest friends…”I don’t want to go, I just want to take 3 weeks of vacation and hide out at my camper with my family.” The week before the trip, I started to get nostalgic. I found thousands of old pictures, was reading old posts, and my heart was stricken by one specific picture. It was the second trip to Sri Lanka and I was hanging with my friends at Sambodhi Home in Galle. When I saw that picture I immediately thought, “That is the real Phill.”

The real Phill

With less than a week left, I was excited for the trip and started planning a grand reunion. I talked with Jodie and we started planning a one year trip where we would revisit all the places we had visited in the past. We would find people we met, continue to help as we can, and tell the story. So, we are traveling to Kenya and God willing Sri Lanka and back to the US for a tour to remember.

Remember the people, remember the relationships, remember the love we shared. I know, I know, I know: but what about _________ (fill in the blank with traditional adult responsibilities). Let me list my responsibilities: God, Jodie, Marquite, Natalie, Phillip, and family. That is what is important to me.

For those that have known me as of late…you understand my priorities have been a bit out of whack. I have ignored God and not treasured my family as much as I should have the past 27 months. It’s totally my fault. I gave everything I could and it just didn't work. It’s time I move on and as you have already read, when I move…I really move.

I am leaving behind the traditional American dreams of a great job, a nice house in an amazing community, three vehicles (even though they are junky), and a solid retirement. Why? Because I must. Because I can. Because my daughter asked me.

“Dad, can we live in Africa some day?” 

Jodie and I have talked for years about taking our kids and living abroad for a year. An idea whose time has come cannot be stopped. It is time. It is time that we leave the comforts of American society and live the life we were meant to live.