Our first day in Dar es Salaam felt eerily familiar. It was as if I was transported back in time to month two and was once again walking through Carrefour. Haiti was a stretching month for me and although it was good, I couldn’t help but think – if all of Africa is this much like Carrefour I don’t know if I’ll make it through the next three months.
After nearly a week of travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Bankok, Nairobi and finally Dar es Salaam .. we were still looking at another 9 (that ended up being 13) hour bus ride to our final destination in Singida, Africa.
By the morning of our final bus ride, we were all spent. I hadn’t had anything that even resembled a meal in nearly three days and by the final push from our hotel to the bus station at 5am, I was running on empty.
A few of our squad members had gotten separated from the group, so a handful of us stayed at the front gate of the bus station in hopes that they would find their way in time to catch our bus. While we were standing huddled together with a sea of African faces pushing in on all sides, hands outstretched and calling “Sister! Sister!” I could feel myself beginning to break. About the time I felt the overwhelming temptation to just sit down right there and say “I give up”, one of our team leaders, Ken, began reading the Jesus Calling for that day. And here was what it said:
“I am your strength and shield. I plan out each day and have it ready for you, long before you arise from bed. I also provide the strength you need each step of the way. Instead of assessing your energy level and wondering about what’s on the road ahead, concentrate on staying in touch with Me. My Power flows freely into you through our open communication. Refuse to waste energy worrying, and you will have strength to spare.
Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am your shield. But unlike inanimate armor, I am always alert and active. My Presence watches over you continually, protecting you from known and unknown dangers. Entrust yourself in My watchcare, which is the best security system available. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.”
Somewhere around “the strength you need” I began to weep. It was as if Jesus was speaking directly to my heart through Ken’s words. It’s so easy to focus solely on the world around us – to get tunnel vision and not see past our momentary circumstances. But God is with us. He is always with us. And during the bus ride that followed (the one that we didn’t miss) I gave my expectations over to Him. That whatever these next three months looked like – regardless of my situation, comfort, safety – even if everything I owned was taken away from me – that I’m still here. And I’m exactly where He wants me.
