We have this saying on our squad, that correlates with whatever country or continent we are currently on. We say it when things are ridiculously out of the norm of anything we would ever do in America… and for the last 3 months, we’ve said T.I.A. This Is Africa. Cramming 26 people into the cab and bed of a small pickup truck to drive miles down a bumpy road, getting the entire soccer team to a game – Buying a bag of delicious popcorn for 500 Shillings, the equivalent to 20 cents – Showering as a team in the rain with a household of bystanders – Sitting in church for 6 hours every Sunday, preaching more than you even thought possible – seeing spiritual light and darkness in new and undisguised ways – peeing in the yard because we refuse to enter “the outhouse” due to risk of death by fumes – only eating rice, bananas, white bread and potatoes all in one day – Seeing the Milky Way in our backyard – Having the rainstorms pause your daily schedule – riding a dala dala, boda boda, or piki piki to and from town… you get the idea.
I have spent the last 3 months breathing, sweating, praying, singing, living, and being in Africa, and it has been one of the most challenging/interesting chunks of my life. Africa has been almost half of our race so far, and it has been a very significant part of my team’s growth, as well as my spiritual growth. We came into Africa after our rough month of India, and were stunned with the people’s generosity, the gorgeous landscape, and the volume and presence of God. We have evangelized to villages, and shared the salvation of Christ with people who had never heard his name before. We have preached over and over and over again, growing in our dependence on the sustenance that the Word offers, as well as the guidance and influence the Holy Spirit moves us in. We have cried and laughed together as a team and seen the absolute overpowering love of God infect our hearts to soften and genuinely love one another. We have been immersed in no electricity or running water and understood what it means to choose in to our surroundings, and put a smile on our faces every day, even when we don’t feel like it.
I have learned much about humility on this continent, and the Lord has walked me through fearing him above men, sharing what he has blessed me with, as he loves a generous giver, and how sweet the freedom his son Jesus offers to me. Africa has been challenging in the sense that I have been overwhelmed with zero privacy, and have been broken of my sense of entitlement to my time, space, and things – because our understanding of community is much smaller than theirs is here. I have learned to rely on the Lord for my strength and joy more here, and I have learned to trust him in his movement and conviction in my heart. He has spoken freedom over me, and told me that he is taking me into further greatness… and daily he shows me that trusting in him is what I am to stand on. His truth reigns, and he has been reigning in my life… slowly but surely, and it is more and more comforting every day.
We are leaving for Thailand on Monday, and I cannot tell you all how excited I am to go back to Asia, and to experience more of God’s power. I am praying for increased faith and that he continues to break me of my stubborn flesh, to submit to his authority over my life. Thailand is going to be filled with adventure, excitement, and passion…. Ha, I don’t even know what I am going to be doing there, but it’s going to be good.
I cannot thank you all enough for the support that you have given me throughout this entire journey. The emails, the blog comments, the financial support… and mainly the prayers. I feel held every day by the Lord, and know that you are all a massive part of that.
