In less than 48 hours my squad will be on a plane to Africa. It seems almost unreal to me. I have been looking forward to this part of the trip since I found out our race route. It seriously saddened me when we got detoured to London, and though it took a while for me to see it, it has been a huge blessing to be able to spend the month here. But now we are back on track and though the reality wont set in until we land, I am incredibly excited.
I have been to Africa four times and there is definitely a giant chunk of my heart waiting for me. I’ve spent time in Namibia, Uganda, and Kenya and every time I return my heart becomes more and more invested into this continent. There are so many things I love about Africa and so much I cannot wait to return to. It is the place in which I first became truly broken for the world and a place I will always be longing to return to.
Here are a few pictures of past experiences and the things I love:
The Beautiful Landscape
I lived in this village in southern Uganda with one of my best friends, another volunteer, and 3 orphan girls and learned so much about the simplicity of life. The only furniture in our house was a straw mat and we cooked over a charcoal stove and usually did not have electricity. The nights spent outside on our porch under the moonlight were the most beautiful evenings I could imagine.
My Students
I worked at a primary school for AIDS orphans and kids who couldnt afford regular school. It was heartbreaking seeing the daily struggles of sickness and abandonment they cant escape but beautiful watching the glimpses of innocense that have yet to be taken.
Trouble Makers (aka my favorites)
…enough said
Being able to experience this with my family (and now with my WR family)
This is a picture of my dad and I in Uganda last summer and I have been incredibly blessed to have been to Namibia with my Dad and my Mom. It was their love for Africa that first brought me to it and I cant express how much it means to me that they did.
Ever since day one of the race I feel like God’s been telling me to expect big things for Africa. I have prayed so much into these next few months and know the Lord is going to continue breaking my heart in ways I never thought possible. I’m trying to leave behind expectations and walk in knowing that this is a part of the world that I love and will continue to love. It is going to be an incredible few months (not unlike the past 6), and I know I am ready.
