People are always telling me how jealous they are and wish they could be where I am. Don’t get me wrong traveling the world and helping people at the same time is one of the greatest experiences in the world, but when you are actually on the journey it’s not always easy. I miss home a lot. I miss things I never thought I would. I’m not always in the mood to do ministry. Sometimes I just want to be in my room at home in my own space, alone.
The first few days of this month I woke up wishing I was home. It is really discouraging and frustrating feeling like this because I know this is such a great experience and I just want to be able to make the most of every moment.
One day I didn’t have any motivation to get up and go do ministry. I prayed that God would help me through the day and be present. That day we were going to a school to teach kids a bible story and sing songs with them. We were split into two groups and my group was put in the classroom with the youngest children. As soon as we started singing songs with them, I was filled with so much joy. Seeing all their smiling faces and hearing all their little voices brought me so much happiness. In that moment I felt God saying “look at how much joy and happiness these kids bring you. Why would you want to wish this away?” I just smiled because He was right. I need to make the most of this time and not wish it away because soon I’ll be back home and I’ll miss how much joy and love these kids bring me.
Later that night we went to a church service. As soon as our van pulled up we were bombarded by kids. (like always) They crowd around the van door and don’t even wait for you to get out to hug you and give you high fives. Before the service started, we all danced to the music with all the kids and shared so much fun and laughter.
At the beginning of every church service, they start off with dancing and singing. Of course they are all crazy African songs that you have no idea what they are saying or how to dance the way they do. There was a guy dancing in front of me and he looked like he was having fun so I decided to join him. As I watched him dance and sing I tried my best to follow, looking like a fool but having so much fun. By the end of the singing and dancing I was dripping in sweat. But then again filled with so much joy and thanking God for giving me so much happiness and reassurance of why I am here.
