here’s the thing…i’m not very successful when it comes to
blogging my daily happenings. i have found it quite a challenge to sit down and
write about stuff that i experience that day or week…heck…even month. SO…that
is why you are getting a blog that is gonna recap my three months in Africa.
that’s right…three months boiled down into one blog. it’s gonna be awesome,
trust me.
blogging my daily happenings. i have found it quite a challenge to sit down and
write about stuff that i experience that day or week…heck…even month. SO…that
is why you are getting a blog that is gonna recap my three months in Africa.
that’s right…three months boiled down into one blog. it’s gonna be awesome,
trust me.
MALAWI
my first time in Africa. i couldn’t believe it! i had waited
my whole life for this moment. (i know people use that expression a lot…’my
whole life…’ but it’s true. i’m pretty sure the first word out of my mouth was
‘africa!’ or maybe it was ‘guiness.’ mom? can you help me out on that one?)
my whole life for this moment. (i know people use that expression a lot…’my
whole life…’ but it’s true. i’m pretty sure the first word out of my mouth was
‘africa!’ or maybe it was ‘guiness.’ mom? can you help me out on that one?)
anyway…ministry looked a little different than we planned
due to the car accident. instead of going into the villages, my butt RESTED at
our campsite, Mabuya, where me and my team spent a lot of time hanging out with
Brian, one of the managers at the place. God knew what He was doing because
Brian’s world is being turned upside down, and for the first time he is
experiencing God’s unconditional LOVE for him!
due to the car accident. instead of going into the villages, my butt RESTED at
our campsite, Mabuya, where me and my team spent a lot of time hanging out with
Brian, one of the managers at the place. God knew what He was doing because
Brian’s world is being turned upside down, and for the first time he is
experiencing God’s unconditional LOVE for him!
CHALLENGE: watching my team recover after the accident
CELEBRATION: um…i’m pretty sure not dying is at the top of
the list
the list
THEME OF THE MONTH: the importance of REST
Brian (w/ black hat) and us Ncheu, Malawi
My team (plus Dan) celebrating God’s protection
Squad leaders and logistics
SWAZILAND
this was an interesting month…and in interesting i mean pretty
uneventful (according to works related ministry) but very eventful for personal
reasons. due to several factors (Christmas season, staff vacation, lack of
transportation), my team and the team we were partnered with, spent most of
time hanging around the place where we were living. kids would come on a daily
basis and we would love on them. we were able to throw two Christmas parties:
one for the kids that come to the carepoint (approx 100 kiddos) and one for the
church members one Sunday. we spent time pouring into our contact, Brandon, who
has left his life in Southern California to live and work in Nsoko, Swaziland.
His commitment is six months with the possibility of extending it to a year. we
were able to see most of the carepoints that are feeding and educating children
on a daily basis. some teammates put up a sheet metal wall around a kitchen. we
struck up a friendship with one of the guys that owns the local grocery store.
our purpose was to be Jesus to him…
uneventful (according to works related ministry) but very eventful for personal
reasons. due to several factors (Christmas season, staff vacation, lack of
transportation), my team and the team we were partnered with, spent most of
time hanging around the place where we were living. kids would come on a daily
basis and we would love on them. we were able to throw two Christmas parties:
one for the kids that come to the carepoint (approx 100 kiddos) and one for the
church members one Sunday. we spent time pouring into our contact, Brandon, who
has left his life in Southern California to live and work in Nsoko, Swaziland.
His commitment is six months with the possibility of extending it to a year. we
were able to see most of the carepoints that are feeding and educating children
on a daily basis. some teammates put up a sheet metal wall around a kitchen. we
struck up a friendship with one of the guys that owns the local grocery store.
our purpose was to be Jesus to him…
personally, i recognized that this “downtime� really gave my
hand and wrist time to heal from the accident. i needed it. i wrestled with the
slower pace, but eventually realized how God works out all things for those who
love Him.
hand and wrist time to heal from the accident. i needed it. i wrestled with the
slower pace, but eventually realized how God works out all things for those who
love Him.
CHALLENGE: having a slower paced month
CELBRATION: being read to every night by a fellow squadmate,
seeing so many animals, and the INSANE lightening storms!
seeing so many animals, and the INSANE lightening storms!
THEME OF THE MONTH: surrendering to God-appointed REST
THE BEST storms in Swazi
THE BEST storms in Swazi
Christmas party for the kiddos
SOUTH AFRICA
this was…hands down…my favorite month so far. i had a great
time in St. Lucia. i was able to jump into the ocean for the first time since
July! for a girl from Southern California…that’s a looooong time to wait! our
ministry this month was all about relationships. i struck up a friendship with
the hostel manager, Nathan. it was great to spend time chatting with him and
speak into his life. i’m praying BIG prayers for this guy! we also spent time
with his boss, Trevor, who had a bad experience with volunteers in the past. he
recently told us that we have given him new hope. that’s awesome!
time in St. Lucia. i was able to jump into the ocean for the first time since
July! for a girl from Southern California…that’s a looooong time to wait! our
ministry this month was all about relationships. i struck up a friendship with
the hostel manager, Nathan. it was great to spend time chatting with him and
speak into his life. i’m praying BIG prayers for this guy! we also spent time
with his boss, Trevor, who had a bad experience with volunteers in the past. he
recently told us that we have given him new hope. that’s awesome!
our time at the croc center was a blast! i mean, come on…how
many people get to go inside a croc pen, dig up their eggs, take their
measurements, and then re-bury them…all in the name of research. so cool! the
two conservationist we were working with, Mark and Zander, are awesome,
tender-hearted Christian men that LOVE what they do. who doesn’t want to be
around that?
many people get to go inside a croc pen, dig up their eggs, take their
measurements, and then re-bury them…all in the name of research. so cool! the
two conservationist we were working with, Mark and Zander, are awesome,
tender-hearted Christian men that LOVE what they do. who doesn’t want to be
around that?
personally for me, this month was ALL about ‘doing life.’
i was able to experience what that looks like in relation to ministry (and
in case you didn’t know..’doing life’ and ‘ministry’ ARE THE SAME THING…just
saying). i’m learning to walk in greater grace for myself and in return my joy
and dependence in the Lord has increased. i’m really happy with the growth i’m
seeing in myself. way to go girl!
i was able to experience what that looks like in relation to ministry (and
in case you didn’t know..’doing life’ and ‘ministry’ ARE THE SAME THING…just
saying). i’m learning to walk in greater grace for myself and in return my joy
and dependence in the Lord has increased. i’m really happy with the growth i’m
seeing in myself. way to go girl!
CHALLENGES: trying to get 64 visas for China
CELEBRATIONS: too many to count! spending time with my team,
my amazing team leader, the croc center, horseback riding, new friendships, deepening
my relationship with friends and family back home
my amazing team leader, the croc center, horseback riding, new friendships, deepening
my relationship with friends and family back home
THEME OF THE MONTH: finally living out what it means to REST
in Him
Mark fending off a female croc so we can get her eggs
in Him
Mark fending off a female croc so we can get her eggs
My team leader, Sami, holding a croc egg After a great day at the beach
Before coming to Africa I was challenged by my first set of squad leaders
to learn how to “be� instead of “do.� I didn’t get it at first. But I can
confidently say that I’m getting it now. SO, basically the Lord has used Africa
as a place of REST for me. Honestly, after my time in Eastern Europe, I needed
it…physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. His orchestration of my
life is perfect. I may not always understand it…but that’s why it’s a good
thing that I don’t rely on my own understanding. I am forever thankful for my
first experience in Africa and I can’t wait for my return trip. TIA!
to learn how to “be� instead of “do.� I didn’t get it at first. But I can
confidently say that I’m getting it now. SO, basically the Lord has used Africa
as a place of REST for me. Honestly, after my time in Eastern Europe, I needed
it…physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. His orchestration of my
life is perfect. I may not always understand it…but that’s why it’s a good
thing that I don’t rely on my own understanding. I am forever thankful for my
first experience in Africa and I can’t wait for my return trip. TIA!
