Bananas

When I first arrived in China last February, I often found myself searching for anything that would bring an ounce of familiarity to my new life...where nothing was familiar.  I searched for familiar smells, foods, and even just little moments in the day that would make me feel just a little closer to home.  One of the things that brought that comfort was bananas.

It sounds sort of funny...to be comforted by bananas.  But its true.  The little fruit stand near my dormitory sold them.  And when I first arrived, I was afraid to eat anything that didn't have a nice protective peeling on the outside (although I quickly adapted and soon ventured to try apples, too!).  So those first few weeks it was just me and the bananas.  I ate one each morning for breakfast with my instant coffee.  I'd slowly peel back the yellow outside and take a big whiff of that familiar smell, closing my eyes and thinking of home. I would eat it ever so slowly, savoring every ounce of flavor. It didn't take much to make me happy :)

Fast forward six months.  The day before I left to come home, sweet Caitlin (my fellow intern) threw a going away party for me in the preschool class.  Caitlin was staying for another month while I returned home to start school.  We asked the kids to draw a picture for me to take home.  So they all gathered around and began to work on their masterpiece.  I'll never forget glancing at that picture when they were half-way finished.  What did I see?  Bananas.  Caitlin had taught the kids how to draw bananas one day during preschool and Jaelynn loved to draw them everywhere. So naturally, she drew bananas for me.  I looked at these perfectly formed bananas...and my eyes began to well up with tears.  Suddenly, Jaelynn became very upset as the other kids began scribbling all over her perfect bananas.  We scooped her up as she continued to scream, "But Abby's going to America! I want to give her bananas!  Abby's going to America! I want to give her bananas!" All I could do was hold her and assure her that I loved her bananas...they were perfect, even if the other kids colored on top of them.  The next day as I told her good-bye, she held my face in her little hands and said, "I give you bananas."

My heart ripped in half as I once again faced the realization that I was leaving...she was staying behind.  But those bananas came with me.  Those bananas are framed and hanging on my wall amidst Jessica's drawing of myself, Fahlin's scribble, and Issac's black circles.  And even if no one else notices those bananas, I know they're there.  And I know that sweet Jesus gave me bananas.  The same simple thing He used to comfort my homesick heart back in February, He is now using to comfort my homesick heart now.  And every time I see a banana, I am reminded of His faithfulness.  And I am reminded to pray for Jaelynn--my precious banana-giving princess