Hi everyone!
First off, I would like to apologize for my lack of blogging while in Africa. Not only is it difficult to find wifi that works, but my experiences in these past few months have been difficult to put into words. Thank you so much for your patience, support, and prayers throughout my time in Malawi!
My team and I have spent the last two and a half months in Zomba, Malawi. Home to a beautiful plateau and beautiful people, our time here has been one for the books. We live with a pastor and his wife, along with countless family members. These people are the definition of hospitality. Our cute little house may not always have power, and we may avoid taking showers because they might as well be an ice bath, but our host family has done the best job at making this our home away from home. Pastor and his wife have taught me so much about giving.
During ministry, we have the opportunity to go into different parts of the villages around us to preach and tell testimonies everyday. This could look like speaking to 50 adults and children that meet us by some rocks underneath a tree, or it could mean entering a house and having only a few people there. Either way, God always shows up. Most of the time He gives us the perfect message for ministry that day. For example, a few weeks ago a day came when it was my turn to speak. As we were walking to ministry, I still didn’t feel confident in any subject to talk about. (Preaching on the fly is something you get pretty good at in Africa.) As I was walking, all I could think about was one of my favorite sermons called “Don’t Stop on Six.” I decided to go with it and recall the points of this message when I spoke. When we got to ministry, I quickly realized that only Pastor and one other man would be joining us in the small little living room that we had walked into. I gave the message, which had a lot to do with the battle of Jericho and Joshua’a army (Joshua 6), and the man that was in the house had just finished his time in the military. It was so cool to see how God had prepared a message specifically for this man, even though it was something I had heard over a year ago. Almost every time that any of us have spoke, a similar situation has happened. I’m so thankful for the opportunities that this ministry has brought! Everyday we sing and dance with the people of Malawi, and nothing could bring more life and joy.
I won’t lie to you, Malawi has been a difficult season. None of my team was expecting the challenges it brought, and almost everyday in our house you’ll hear someone say the words “Wow, Africa punched us in the face.” When we got to Africa, our teams had just changed so we started a new continent and culture with a brand new team. There is no way I could have made it through Africa without this team. We all bonded so fast. I didn’t think it was possible to live with six other girls, spend every second of everyday with them, and not have any problems. I was proven wrong in the last few months, because this team has made it possible. However, we’ve faced a lot of struggles together. With no wifi, no leaving the house, and only a few hours of ministry a day, our whole team was hit with so much homesickness in the first month. That was also month four of the Race, so the “honeymoon phase” of the Race was long gone. We’ve gone through everything from being insanely stir crazy, to at least one person being sick every week, to even a death in the family that we live with. Africa has been beautiful, life giving, and has taught me so much about simplicity and joy, but growth is never easy and Africa has been no exception.
As we enter into our last few weeks of Africa, my team and I are in a weird season of excitement of what’s to come, but trying to savor our last few days of ministry and with that family that we live with. Our whole squad is meeting in the capital of Malawi on the 28th, and we’re flying into Guatemala for the last three months of the Race on the 29th!! Not only is a new country exciting, but my parents will be in Guatemala with me for a week once we get there!!!!! Please be praying for these last few weeks in Malawi, and the transition that we’re about to walk into too!
One last announcement…………
I’M FULLY FUNDED!!!!!!! I want to THANK YOU for all of your support and prayers in the last year and a half. It’s been a long process, and it absolutely blows my mind to think that God has provided $13,805. I am still in shock and so so thankful.
America, I’ll see you in four months!!
