so for the past two weeks my team and I have been staying at Mabuya Camp recovering, resting and relaxing. its pretty much like a hostel. it was beyond awesome there. we met some really cool people traveling from all over- South Africa, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, England, Germany and the list could go on. Most of the people we met where there for some sort of volunteer or NGO work. Whether it was for an orphanage or medical or even purifying water companies. It’s been awesome to see so many people outside of “the church” realm helping out Africa.
We were able to celebrate Turkey Day there also and they were so kind to make us an American dinner!!! we had chicken (turkey is too expensive), the most delicious cranberry dressing EVER, veggies, mashed sweet potatoes and a delicious apple dessert. I did however miss my mom and nanny’s deviled eggs, Marie (my family cat) stealing the ham off our plates, seeing a movie or playing games with The Bufford family and Dan’s family’s yummy philly steak sandwiches :[ But there were also two other Americans there so it was fun to feel somewhat at home that night. Team Fearless came and joined us along with our two handsome and talented squad leaders: Josh and Lia! It was great for so many of us to be with our current family while missing our families back home. We told stories of how we normally spend Thanksgiving and even some real funny ones were thrown in there too.
everyone on Thanksgiving^^
The last week at the camp the rest of our squad finally got there for our time of debrief. Also, Chuck and Selina Day came to visit us!!! They are our coaches or our parents out on the field. They always come with the best hugs and great encouragement for us. Lia spoke to us on RESTING in the Lord. She talked about how Africa is our wilderness and how God’s presence is our Promise Land. even in our challenges we are to SEEK His promises. Following Jesus is a lifestyle, a rhythm of LIFE, one that will not end when the race is over. Josh also spoke on a great truth. He spoke on how we are not defined by what we’re not, that we are called to break the chains of the nations. all in all it was a great week of learning how to 1. rest in the Holy Spirit 2. activate the Holy Spirit and 3. chase after the Holy Spirit. I usually have a tough time when the whole 65 of us get together because it is so chaotic, but it was a great week to catch up with people I’m becoming more and more like a family with each time we meet up.
We also become good friends with Brian- the manager of Mabuya Camp. He is originally from Boston and has been in Malawi for 5 months. he was great in handling us all. One day, he took Kimberly, Melissa and I to see his Habitat for Humanity homes he had helped build and his friends orphanage called Tilinanu. this was such a joyous day for me. To get to see Brian’s compassionate heart and how so many others are here in Malawi making an impact. Be praying for Brian- come January he is leaving to continue his adventures to Thailand and then Australia for a couple of years!
Brian!^^
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So with debrief came team changes. yuck. this can be good or bad either way its no fun tho. going into debrief I’m not going to lie, our whole team was looking and hoping for a change pretty much. We struggled a lot these past two months in community. but we went into team changes pretty confident we would be staying together because of the accident. so the time comes for team changes and Lia and Josh call out the 5 teams that will be changing. Team Chosen was called. wha? I had had a really hard day personally and so when I heard our name called the tears just flooded my face. With the realization I could be loosing my team, out of nowhere God overwhelmed me with this love for them I didn’t even know I had. I realized I needed them in my journey. I remember turning to Natalie and Kimberly and saying “I can’t take this right now, I NEED you guys this next month.” wow. He helped reveal to me a love I didn’t even know I had for my team.
with that said. my team did change, but only a little bit. Sadly, I lost Juliette and Caleb. I truly love these too. Juliette is a prayer warrior and will fight for you like no other. Her joy and encouragement will be missed a whole bunch. Caleb is just hilarious and has a true passion for following the Truth. I will miss seeing him preach. So my new team is: Tommy (team leader still), Melissa, Natalie and I (the only four still standing strong since month one I believe) and then Kimberly is still with us too!! I’m happy we are only a team of 6 now and I would like to introduce you to our newest member, drum roll please…
Daniel is going to be an amazing addition to our family!! I was fortunate enough to get to work with him our first month in the DR and I have seen God grow him in awesome ways since then. He has such a generous heart and I know is going to bring a lot of balance and strength and love to this team. I am stoked! Plus family and friends, he is AWESOME at making videos and so you all will reap the benefits of this :] get ready for lotas fun ones! Daniel was also the other person with us in the accident sooo we decided to name ourselves after this scary, but great testimonial event in our lives. Our new name is…
Dismantle Repair.
It is the name of a song by Anberlin Kimberly was listening to when our tire blew. The squad leaders hope for all of us is that there is no more team changes so this could be my family for the whole rest of the race and I truly love that fact.
