Looking back can be beneficial sometimes, especially after a trip like this where so much has happened in a whirlwind that forward can be challenging to find. It's also good to note changes, lessons, and those small things that deserve to be recognized as blessings. In my next few blogs I will be recapping my ministries in each country and things that God has blessed me extravagantly with through each location. If you're thinking about going on the Race or scouring blogs to find out if people have been in the same countries you're going to, this can be helpful to you as well.
Month 1: Zimbabwe
Contacts: Jenni, Felix, & Njiva Museka
Ministry: Working with the ladies & children at Tafara (serving food, playing games), and various other things.
Firsts: Mountain climbed (see Copje), TopDeck bar, month in a tent, popcorn in a huge pot.
What I learned: God's given me big dreams, like writing, that I can't ignore.
Things I still miss: Well, Jenni, Felix, and Njiva for starters – they are incredible. I miss them more everyday, especially on days when I see precious pictures of Njiva, already a whole year old, growing up so quickly. I also really miss Ingrid, a woman we met there who is near and dear to my heart. The family atmosphere we were able to be in for the first month away was such a blessing as well.
Month two: CapeTown South Africa
Contacts: Pastor Daniel & Auntie Viv
?Ministry: I spent the entire month in the kitchen at the school Auntie Viv & Pastor Daniel started from the ground up for children with foetal alcohol syndrome. We had some fun days with Lebo, Auntie Cathy, & Carol.
Firsts: Train ride, Shark diving, Indian Ocean, & so.much.more.
What I learned: How to cook lots of fun meals, how to make "substantial" sandwiches for the boys
Things I still miss: I definitely miss those ladies. I also really miss Auntie Viv. She was so fun to be around and so full of wisdom (like honey & water for a sore throat – who knew?!). I miss drinking Rooibus tea everyday. And I miss Ama Dip-Dips. I miss the views of CapeTown & Table Mountain from Z.E.E.P. and all our fun riding the trains into Simon's Town, Kalk Bay, & CapeTown.
Month three: Nsoko Swaziland
Contacts: Erica
Ministry: We spent our mornings doing what a tractor would do in a garden (and it was fun to get so dirty). In the afternoons we went on home visits, or to carepoints to visit the kids. We also planned Christmas parties for the kids.
Firsts: Picking veggies in a different country, big cut on my foot, scary snake in another country, sleepover!
What I learned: God is real big. Cold showers are actually really incredible. I like writing poetry.
What I still miss: Morgan & Michaela (the interns – they were awesome), playing peanuts with Katie & Amie, speaking Siswati (what little I knew), lightening shows over the mountains from the top of the storage container, the gimp chicken, fried chicken (shoooot – so good) & potato salad.
That concludes Africa!
