As you know I can’t
wrap 3 months into just 11 moments, but here’s a fun glimpse of some highlights
from the past three months:
- Rafting Down
the Nile!
When we first arrived in Africa, we had a squad debrief in Jinja Uganda.
Our hostel was directly on the Nile, every morning I was in awe that I was
looking at the same water that Moses was sent down. And one day, we took a
rafting trip, that I’m grateful I survived. It was a blast, and we laughed
each time after being flipped and then rescued back to the raft. Although
there were a few times I swallowed a gallon at a time and got pulled under
some crazy currents, it was well worth the memories I have of rafting the
Nile. - Singing
Christmas Carols for Evangelizing! We spent most of our ministry days in Uganda
evangelizing to homes of the community. It was definitely a new thing that
stretched us to do day in and day out. I learned a lot of how to build a
relationship in a matter of quick moments in order to share the Gospel in
a more acceptable, less pressure-filled manner. On Christmas Eve we
introduced those of our community to the tradition of singing songs to
random strangers at their doorpost, bringing some of our comforts and
traditions into the mix. Our pastor liked the idea and encouraged us to do
it with each home we came to on that day of evangelizing. - Spending
Christmas with our Ugandan Family. On December 25, 2015 I spent my first Christmas in
Africa with our Ugandan family and we made it memorable. We kicked it off
with a toast at midnight as a team and watched the Christmas Story. Then
at the church service we sang American Christmas Carols with the praise
and worship team. After the service there was a great big feast, complete
with purple Miranda drink. We introduced the family to a fun Moffitt
family tradition, took a Ugandan traditional nap and ended the night with
a white elephant game with gifts that would sing to a Racer’s heart.
Although I was far from family, our Race family Christmas traditions were
memorable and special. - Riding mottos
through the hills of Rwanda. If you didn’t know, Rwanda is known as the country of
1000 hills, but they’re more like mountains. It’s a be-a-utiful country,
it’s lush, clean, green, fresh and mountain filled. I learned a lot from
sitting on the back of mottos and praying over the city around and the
driver. I learned a lot because it felt freeing and truly gave me an
atmosphere to enjoy the ride and the moment of being in a foreign country.
I also had to completely trust the driver and rely solely on prayer that
we would get to the correct place. I miss those rides, the thrill and
excitement they provided. - Visiting the
Rwandan Genocide Museum. It was a very powerful and moving experience to witness the
inside perspective. I witnessed amazing reconciliation and healing that
has happened within this country. Hearing the stories, you can’t help but
to grieve the devastation Rwandans have endured from their past. However,
it’s a beautiful story of how things have grown and how people have come
together to be resilient. Stories shared demonstrate courage and
compassion as they looked over others and their lives. Contacts shared
their stories and have decided to not be defined by things of the past but
rather living in a state of forgiveness and understanding of one another.
The country is a beautiful representation of healing and restoration. - Getting
Trained in as Los Tres Jalapenos! Into month 5 Ana, Lynda and I were raised up as squad
leaders. We had a great time with the alumni squad leaders as we spent
time discussing possibilities and gleaning wisdom from their experience.
Becoming a new team was exciting and I feel real privileged to be part of
a trio with these two wise wise ladies. - Preaching at a home church in Rwanda. I had the honor to speak on
“love is a universal language” at a church on a fine Sunday
morning. I have enjoyed growing in the area of speaking and having
opportunities to communicate the various lessons God is teaching me. Along
with the lessons I’m learning to share; the churches I’m able to visit
imprint powerful lessons on me and my understanding of the church body.
This church in particular was encouraging in the way it was established.
Just 6 months prior it was started by the family, hosting church under a
tent in their front yard. The church was welcoming and excited to continue
celebrate their growth as a body of believers. After church, the pastor
prepared lunch for my squadmate and I and we got to hear more about their
powerful, faithful story of becoming a pastor. - Working with
HopEthiopia! For
an entire month we got to pair up with incredible works done by this
organization. They put their effort and priorities on assisting a
community through providing tangible necessities, such as: a well for the
community to have clean water, funding for schools, homes for orphans and
widows, gardens for sustainability and reforestation for a revival of
agricultural needs. There was so much hope seen through their efforts and
the future their building. It was incredible to work with this
organization that has a vision ‘to
love.’ I’m hoping this becomes the next international organization as they
spend their efforts in providing the assistance a community needs to
sustain and grow themselves. - Finding my
tears in Ethiopia.
In the beginning of the month, I found myself being tugged to pray that
the Lord would break my heart. As I prayed this uncomfortable prayer,
tears began to fall in unexpected times. I have always been one to claim
myself as a ‘non-crier.’ These wet eyes were quite new and uncomfortable
to me but through being stretched to have a greater perspective of what
brokenness exists, I’m learning so much. God is showing me the vastness of
His emotions, the depth and wonder He holds. While breaking my heart, my
understanding of joy, grace, compassion and sympathy has gone to great new
depths. Although I’ve become a little more used to the idea of tears, I
still laugh in celebration as it’s becoming quite common for me. - Visiting a
historical hot springs. Our host in Ethiopia is a Canadian who knows all about the
secrets of Ethiopia. He has an in with the Ethiopian President, and thus
knows a lot about the history and significant places of the country. He
took us, as the largest forengie group to ever embark on this community,
to a nearby hot springs. This springs is known as being healing water and
Ethiopians travel from far away places to come upon this water. It was an
honor to be welcomed by those who were currently visiting the springs, in
our short time we felt appreciated and accepted. It’s remarkable to
continue going to places where only a few forengies have ever stepped
foot. And I’m still getting used to the stares, however, I’ve gotten
international hand signals down pretty well. - Participating
in a Squad Prayer Burn and Fast. This past month was supposed to mark our last
fundraising deadline. As the deadline was approaching and as those who
needed funds had no means of creating awareness to loved ones; we did the
only things we could: we put on a prayer burn and fasted for 24 hours. It
was a beautiful mark of unity and we had opportunities of heartfilled
worship as a solidified body. At the end of the burn, Jeremy, our State
Side coach, called us and gave us an update that a significant donation
came in from an anonymous donor. We had a crazy celebration at night in
thankfulness of God’s provision for the squad as a whole.
So, as always I can
never capture the entire moment here on the Race, but I try my best to
illustrate the big ways God is moving and the many lessons He is teaching me.
It’s a privilege that my list could go on and on. But for now, here’s 11 to
mark the 3 months spent on the continent of Africa. It’s crazy to believe that
we are already beginning our third continent and have less days ahead of us
than behind. Thank you for continuing to be part of this journey and join in on
this adventure!
