Why We’re Moving to Central Africa: A Family Adventure Awaits
Our family is about to set off on an adventure that’s sure to be filled with learning and plenty of unforgettable moments. That’s right—we’re packing our bags and heading to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and we are feeling all sorts of nervousness and excitement.
Family Adventure is Calling
Adventure has always called to us. Lately, that call has grown louder. With the world so vast and filled with incredible people and places, we realized it was time to embrace the unknown and make some memories together as a family. As we’ve gotten older, we recognize that it’s wonderful in many ways to put down roots, but as parents, we want to raise our children in an environment different to the one in which we grew up in.
We’ve dreamed of raising our kids as global citizens, helping them see the beauty in the world and the richness of different cultures. We’re lucky to have two adventurous spirited children who are flexible, adaptable, and willing to try new things. For example, last summer C, at just 4 years old, was traversing trains in Budapest and trying new foods in Switzerland with such ease and flexibility.
We envision our kids making friends from around the globe, experiencing new places with an open mind and heart, and learning languages beyond English. While this move is largely (ok entirely) due to D’s job with the State Department (truthfully, the DRC was at the bottom of the list of places we hoped to move or visit) it is also stepping outside our comfort zone and giving our children the opportunity to learn about the broader world.
A Touch of Reality
Now, the reality of moving is much more complicated. Leaving behind a community of friends and family we love is always tough. We’ve had to experience this heartbreak after leaving Tacoma, WA and Berkeley, CA, two places filled with incredible people who we love and miss dearly (if you’re reading this, hi! I miss you). Not to mention the challenges of leaving a country that has many conveniences (hello, Target pick up and Uber Eats) that has made these last months with a baby much, much easier. Beyond the convenience, we’re going to miss the comforts of clean, accessible drinking water, fewer infectious disease, and smooth, paved roads. ( A colleague of D’s in DRC warned that there are potholes that will swallow a sedan…. gulp).
But here’s the truth: we’re determined to focus on the excitement and adventure that lies ahead, while also not sugar coating the challenges. Reminding ourselves that there are beautiful, thriving families all over the world and we have so much to see, explore, and learn in this lifetime. Yes, there will be challenges and some really difficult parts of living in the DRC, but every adventure comes with its own set of surprises.
Packing Up the Madness
Then there’s the packing—what a wild, chaotic, mess it’s been. I’m currently in the whirlwind of buying and packing clothes, toys, and snacks for the next year and squishing it all into our apartment. Packing enough diapers, wipes, predicting clothes sizes and favorite snacks for a year from now has been a giant pain. Why a full year of packing you ask? More on that soon. I’ll have to dig myself out of this pile of pancake mix to share the details of how and why we’re packing 1000 lbs of food to send across the globe.
Embracing Our New Family Adventure
So, as we prepare to embark on this journey, we’re filled with nervousness and a bit of excitement. With our hearts open and our sense of humor high, we will see where this move to the DRC takes us. We’ll share the highs, lows, and everything in between here and on our Instagram @fullpassportfamily. Let the adventure begin!
