When I first dreamt about Africa, my team laughs at me, but I imagined the Sahara Desert. That we would be living in the bush of Africa in our tents, without drinking water and holding beautiful little barefoot African children. My dream looked a lot more like a mix of The Lion King and the Compassion commercials that have grabbed my heart each time I've seen them.
I wasn't expecting to see giraffes grazing in the fields along the highway, just minutes after leaving the airport, to experience the most beautiful place I have ever seen in my life, for it to feel like God turned up the saturation on my life.
But that is only the surface of Africa. Africa is a curious blend of traditional African culture and traditional Christian beliefs mixed in with a whole lot of the Holy Spirit. After two weeks in Kenya, Africa it has been many things to me:
A place to see God needed, needed in a way that is supernatural. A way that is real and far more than I have ever needed Him.
A place to dance with the most precious children that have come from a dump site to a home that is teaching then about God's love and giving them a chance to have more in this life.
A place that challenged me physically and emotionally. Where God had to show up in a hospital hallway and tell me that our team would make it through.
A place to run in the mornings alongside the most beautiful National Park I have ever been to as monkeys, baboons, lions, water buffalo, gazelles and giraffes graze.
A place where I have found my fourth maybe fifth mom… A woman who prays powerfully to protect us, provide for us and teach us a we live with her in her small 2 bedroom apartment with 9 people.
A place where I am learning more of God's character through Joseph, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and Samuel on the balcony my favorite Kenyan home as it rains for hours each day.
A place where the church doesn't have a roof or all four walls, but what could be better than getting to worship to the heavens?
A place where I have watched our team of 5 turn into a family.
I know I have fallen in love with a lot of places this month… but this one may just top them all.
I love you all and hope to write you more soon!
