It’s still strange to think that my World Race is actually happening. It’s probably somewhere around or over 100 degrees here. [every.single.day]  I am typing this from my Eno hammock (not sure when I'll actually make it to an internet cafe to post it…) where there’s a really nice breeze, music from the neighborhood floating over the concrete spike-topped wall, and easy flowing conversation with bits of wisdom from some of the AIM staff who are here like, “Final debrief is not your last chance for romance” and “pad thai is da bomb and so cheap,” and “If you have feelings for someone when you’re on the race, wait 2 months after the race before you act on them. They’ll probably go away. And if not at least you’ll have worked your stuff out already.” Haha. I feel like my blogs from the field should be deep and full of wisdom and funny stories but, really I just want y’all to have a good picture of my life for this short time.

      Our squad, which is 45 plus 3 squad leaders, is currently all together and staying at an Iris ministries “campus” in Dondo, Mozambique. It took us a four day long travel “day” to get here. I will never take short flights and road trips in cars for granted again. We were so squished, stuffy, and sleepy because leaning forward on your 25 lb daypack in your lap isn’t a very comfortable way to relax. 🙂 I had several moments of gazing out the window praying God. I love Africa but, I dont know if I can be here right now.

      This past week has been non-stop busy. We’ve spent a lot of time together as a squad in the mornings and evenings. We’re living in community – Rae, Christina, Allie, Sarah, Mary, the sneaky mouse and I share a tiny room with bunk beds and one glorious fan (when the electricity is working) and I’ve never appreciated a cold water bucket shower so much in my life. It’s inappropriate for women to show their knees or thigh here so I’ve been re-wearing my sweaty clothes, a lot. My team is working with team #agapetos this month serving Eli, our ministry contact. The plan was to do construction at the orphanage/widows home he’s starting but it worked out that this week we lifted the place up in prayer, went to the market and sometimes cooked lunch, played with the neighborhood kids, and have been cutting and raking grass but, I’ll share more about that soon. J I had the best pineapple of my life yesterday and I tried real coconut water. Theres been a lot going on spiritually here (in Mozambique, in our squad, and in me.) and I appreciate everyones prayer. My team has been so supportive and Im amazed at how much closer weve gotten just in this short time.

God knows what Hes doing.


Eli told us the other day, “that when things go slow, it's okay because then you know it's God in control.”
 
So here's to this year going slow.