A Rainy Update
Month Nine, Tanzania
The morning our team traveled from Arusha to our ministry site in Singida, I was in the middle of an unprecedented two-day, help-me-Jesus, clicking-my-red-heels-together, homesick funk. We boarded a crowded bus at 6am in misting rain with half of Tanzania and speakers fit for an amphitheater blasting, from what we could discern, an anti-Christian and anti-American message. The few, angry, English words I heard were "America", "Snoopy Dog", "Rhianna", "Christianity", "lesbian", and possibly "elbow". And this was the solace Jesus gave.. rain, a window seat, ear plugs and music to muffle apparent disapproval and the sharp reminder that I am a foreigner. No worries, the next day I was right as rain.
Our home for the month was a small desert town with sweeping, dusty winds and large piles of rocks that convinced me that God enjoys the occasional game of jenga. For two weeks we did door to door ministry in a predominantly Muslim community with witchcraft. We encouraged the small body of believers there, shared the Gospel, prayed for (and saw) healing, cast out demons, listened to stories, shared our own stories, played with children, fed children, pet kittens, and marveled at this narrow and blessed way we've been called to. Our last week we spent at a small orphan center sharing love, meals, songs, Bible stories, a salty lake adventure, and "Despicable Me". Our first day to the center, the children clung to seats and walls wishing us away. Little Esther cried. Repeatedly. By mid-week, the children clung to our arms and legs wishing we would stay. This narrow and blessed way.
And I waited for rain. Yes, I know I had a mist in Arusha, but… I waited and waited and waited. We left Singida for a few free days in Tanzania before meeting up with our squad to say goodbye to Africa and fly to Nepal. I went on a safari in Morogoro hopeful for rain as I watched dark skies advance, leaving the landscape brilliantly bright in spots and beautifully shaded in others. But it didn't rain. We traveled to Zanzibar for a couple days of rest and fun in the sun with friends. I slept in a comfortable bed with the sweet hum of air conditioning and awoke to the perfect rainy day. I drank cup after cup of coffee, listened to jazz and ate chocolate with Lydia, twirled about in my room, and sank way down deep into thanks like my comfy bed. Yes, my friends blamed me for the rain. Worth it. Completely worth it.
*If you haven't read my blog about the rain… well, I'll make a touch more sense and the corners of your mouth will stretch north if you'll click on this link… http://adagrantham.theworldrace.org/?filename=rain
