Jesus shows up in the most random and crazy ways when you start looking for Him and noticing Him.
The month of December was unexpectedly hard. I didn’t miss home too much in El Salvador, but somehow the Christmas season triggers homesickness. It would be an understatement to say that I cried every time I thought about home or friends or family. It also doesn’t help that wifi is sketch in Africa, so not being able to say hi to your family on Christmas is kind of a bummer.
On New Year’s Eve, our whole squad met up at a hostel. By that point, I didn’t even feel like my self anymore. I was so drained from the past four months that I felt like a zombie. I was walking around and making conversation with people, but I was not me. I was not lively, and I was definitely not enjoying myself. The worst part was I didn’t realize it at first. I went to bed early one night instead of staying up with everyone and playing cards, which is so unlike me. I was laying in my hammock reflecting over the previous months, and I finally realized how unlike myself I was. I did not like the version of me that I was turning into. I had become so numb that I had nothing to pour out. I noticed that the way I was acting started affecting my friendships on the squad and my desire to do ministry, because I wasn’t investing myself.
I was definitely broken in December, but the Lord showed up and comforted me in ways that I have never needed or experienced before. So far January has been a month of relaxation and renewal.
I am on a new team of girls who are all so full of Jesus. They are bringing me so much life and so much joy. They are helping me find myself again. They are showing me how to discover who I am in Christ. I have finally begun walking in the freedom that Christ offers. I have found peace in His presence. I have found love through the warmth of the people. I have found beauty in the landscape of this breathtaking country. I have found joy when laughing and dancing with the children. I found faith worshiping alongside the locals at church.
We are living in Zomba, Malawi in the most adorable house with the sweetest family. Pastor Gamma and Mama Rosie are our stand in parents for the month. The doors in our house are so short we hit our heads of we don’t duck. There are about thirty pigeons and chickens that live outside my room. Our town is surrounded by beautiful mountains. Sometimes we run in the pouring rain. The kids that live near us want to play all the time. I eat about half of a pineapple and five bananas per day. I am convinced that Zomba is the most beautiful town in the whole world. This is by far my favorote month on the Race. I have never been so relaxed and at peace in my life.
