Dear Africa-
I hate to admit this but…I used to be slightly terrified of coming to visit you. I thought I knew what to expect, and I expected the worst. I was real nervous. I thought I would be counting down the days until I left from the first day. Now I can't believe it has already been 3 months and that I'm leaving! Where has the time gone?!? Oh boy I was wrong about you. I now understand why some of my friends and people back home love you so much. My expectations were completely wrong.
In Kenya, the Lord helped me experience major freedom. I mean I freaking preached, once even at a crusade! I don't think you could ever understand just how huge that really is. What better way to start my time with you?! I found my voice and I used it. And when I did that I found so much relief. We also worked with the most incredible pastors and translaters. The excitement and passion they had for God and life was so encouraging.
　
In Rwanda, the Lord showed me what true joy and hope looks like. That country has been through more than I could possibly imagine but I met some of the most joyful, loving people. Especially the family I got to live with. They know suffering but they are choosing joy. Our Mama (in the green dress, top left below) for the month lost both her parents (among many others) in the genocide and she went to the prison to visit the people who murdered them to personally forgive them. I was absolutely blown away. I want my life to look like that- being joyful and forgiving no matter what happens to me. We taught English all month to such a fun group of kids that like the parents, had so much joy. One of my favorite moments of the day was always when they would run full speed arms open wide to us for a hug 🙂
　
And Uganda, oh Uganda. We had our ups and downs. Even though malaria and typhoid pretty much sucked the life out of me my last week there, it was a good month. Hard month, but good. I experienced even more freedom. New team = new challenges. And boy was I challenged. I decided to give God my fears. I decided I was tired of letting my life revolve around what I was fearful of. I worked on having confidence in who I am and replaced lies and the things the world says about me with truth in who I really am. Who God says I am. Because in the end, that's all the matters. We also did sweet things like prison ministry, hospital visits, and worked at a school with precious kids even getting to bless them with new notebooks and pencils.
　
So I just thought you should know how thankful I am for you. How blessed I am by you. I really could never thank you enough. I am so glad God had it in my plans to come visit you. My time with you was life changing and I will not and could not ever ever forget you. Thank you for everything (except the malaria and typhoid of course)!
With much much love,
Jewels
　
