I woke up in my tent to the sound of accents I didn’t recognize and the loud count of bungee-ers jumping off the tower, sometimes followed by a splash. There was a peace about this morning as I looked around at the spiders and grasshoppers staring back at me through the netting of my walls. I laughed a bit to myself and thought “Well, let’s go raft the Nile.”
As we walked to the rafts I assured my dear friends that there was nothing to worry about, that this was going to be the time of our life and an overall blast. As we headed over the first waterfall the excitement and adrenaline kicked in and I wondered what the heck I had gotten myself into. As we headed the fall our guide yelled at us to get down, which we did, grabbing on the the life line, or chicken line depending on who you are. Due to an unfortunate bump however, I felt a sudden pain in my general face area and watched as I breathed blood over me, the raft and the beautiful Elizabeth Huff’s leg (unknown to her at the time).
Mind you, I never saw the blood goatee or the crooked nose that my raft-mates refused to acknowledge before we went through The Bad Place and flipped over, causing another oar to smack me in the face and straighten it back into place. Struggling to stay afloat I remember getting my bleeding face above water and seeing my guide swimming along like he was in an indoor pool, then I went back under. I let the rapids carry me downstream, in one form or another, swimming to a kayaker to save me. An interesting conversation ensued as she wondered what was wrong with my face.
After one more flip, singing praise songs and yelling for everyone to hear, laughing with our guide and surviving a few more rapids, we made it safely to shore (first!) and ate a delicious meal that included shredded cheese!
I had the time of my life.
As month six comes to an end I am more in love with Africa than I ever have been. Papa has been so good to me these past two months and I am only praying for more as we enter month 7, the last of our Africa season. I love the rain that happens every day, I love the smiles and the friendliness of everyone I meet. I love the beauty of the banana trees and the hills that rolled throughout Rwanda and I pray that Daddy brings me back to Moses, a man who stole my heart and loved me like a Father. I fell in love with preaching my heart and sharing what God is continually teaching me, meeting random people and telling them about my best friend Jesus and watching Him heal the beautiful children around me. I have learned how to dance undignified and slightly more on rhythm and how to operate as the woman Daddy created. I just love Africa.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all the people, friends and family who have supported me on this trip. I am now FULLY FUNDED and have 5 more amazing months ahead of me. I cannot express through words the gratefulness and praise for my Provider. He truly is good.
Thank you.
Here's to another great month!
(don't worry, the picture doesn't do it justice. It's a lot more colorful today)
