Sumbawanga, Tanzania. Ay yi yi. What a month. You got a little glimpse from my last blog, but here is the LIST. The good, the bad, and ugly, and the amazing, and the joys, and weirdness
I fell in love with Africa at the airport, when I made up a handshake with the African who helped us with our passports. Mambo
Spent 24 hours on a bus, expecting it to be a 9 hour drive..
Spent another 12 hours on a bus, the most awful bus ride ever, bumpy and filled with children pooping on suitcases, all while looking at a lovely unfinished paved road right next to us, the entire way
That same bus stopped for 20 minutes in the middle of nowhere, we didn’t know what was happening, then realized it was a bathroom stop..i didn’t even walk far to pop a squat. Pride quickly goes out the window on travel days in Africa
Took amazing heated bucket showers
Rode on a motorcycle with our contact reuben, at night, with the stars beaming down on me
Realized I feel things prophetically, meaning God walks me through a certain feeling or emotion or event, before other people do, so I can encourage them and edify them. Heavy stuff, and tricky, but still
good and a gift.
Went to the market, carried a live chicken by its wings to another part of the market, then they stuffed it in a plastic bag and shoved its head through to make a hole. Traumatizing to say the least…then they chopped its head off and we ate it for dinner…poor frita and bert.
The first church service…I was so filled with joy that I cried. There was dancing, singing, shouting, raising of chairs, children doing choreographed dances, and weird noises that they make with their tongues. I felt like the luckiest woman in the world to be there experiencing that.
Had 40 kids follow me home all across town just to walk with me and call me mzungu. I ran around with them and then taught them my famous walk it out dance and they did it on command after that
Death happened. And by that I mean, MALARIA. Knocked me down, hard.
At 10:23, when my alarm goes off to be thankful…I was squatting in the squatty potty catching my poop in a bag in order to be tested at the doctor…I was NOT thankful at that moment needless to say…
I found out I was three months pregnant. With ghiardia, little critters I picked up in Honduras that have been living and growing inside of me without me knowing. They will soon DIE
With malaria and the parasites, I was pushed to my breaking and no joke wanted to quit and go home
Felt the prayers from all of YOU on the 14th, and felt better every day after that!
I stared at the stars in Africa while the electricity was out, and could clearly see the Milky Way galaxy
I prayed for my favorite meal, potatoes in an omelet, at least once a week
The two teams and I here all came together late at night when the electricity was out and took communion, worshipped, and spoke life into each other. So amazing
I faced evil head on, and stood my ground, and battled.
Legitimately only did one day of ministry the entire month, but met a twenty year old named Chris who stole my heart (in a little brother sort of way, I am not running away and eloping 😉 I gave him a pocket Bible, personalized it and wrote in it, and I am convinced that I will meet him again and will hopefully support him through medical school. I love that the one day I was able to go, God changed my life and Chris’ forever.
Slept less because of “demonic” cats and dogs than ever before. Had to pray covering and lean so far into God because of the evil presence more than ever. But conquered my fear of the presence of evil at night by reading psalms and pouring scripture over me.
I got so much joy from showing pictures of my friends and family to all the children around. They laughed and pointed out which one I was. Americans truly are a hit over here.
Saw God work in the men on my squad in the most POWERFUL ways.
Saw God work behind the scenes in order to have His will be done. He truly is a sneaky one and blows my mind.
Fell in love with the women who have been cooking and taking care of us. I always do a shimmy when I see them and do a little dance and they love it 😀
Learned two of the choir’s dances, but didn’t get to perform them. But after dance practice, we went to Mary’s, one of the women from the church here, and she bought us soda, made us fruit juice, and we watched Swahili Christian music videos and watched her and the other Tanzanians dance. They were dancing and said, “if pastor saw us dancing like this he would kick us out of the church…” hilarious.
Hiked to see the sunrise, and listened to the lion king as it rose.
Experienced open air preaching. The most amazing thing ever. Loud music, waving palm branches, dancing, going crazy, hundreds of street kids hanging on you. More jesus than I have ever seen basically.
Gave more hard words of truth than ever before, and experienced more opposition and hostility than ever before. Fought and battled for the people on my squad more than ever before. Have never felt more drained or exhausted spiritually and emotionally.
Have never felt more blessed or loved by anyone as much as the children here. If you haven’t experienced African children, man, you HAVE to.
I got yelled at for trying to pop a squat behind some buildings at the bus stop 🙂
traveled across Tanzania starting at 5am until 1am…played with a beautiful African girl, she fell asleep on Missy and I's lap…it was amazing. BUT then, in the middle of the night, Missy and I woke up and discovered that someone had peed on the floor of the bus, my blanket and precious purse from Sibiu was soaked. RIP brilliant coral purse 🙁
Met guys from the Massai tribe in Arusha!
Overall, this month was the hardest by far. A lot of pain, suffering, dying to self, and leaning on the Lord occurred. I am not gonna lie, I am looking forward to next month and the new season that God is leading me into. I am looking forward to debrief in Nairobi, Kenya to get FILLED up and ENCOUNTER God. I am looking forward to going on a safari, to seeing my teammates Pris and Q and the rest of the squad, and what next month holds. But, this month was still amazing and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I have grown deeper with the men and women on these two teams and I am so grateful for all the laughs and hard conversations that were shared. I love Sumbawanga. These people definitely have a tiny piece of my heart.
Shout out to Hope. Twin, your prophetic chocolate was extremely prophetic, and you gave me confidence to walk in obedience with boldness and confidence. Your emails and skypes and just everything this month was so encouraging. I love you and I am thankful for you :D…ps: we need to talk about everything I have learned about speaking truth, you would be proud
