We arrived in Africa on the 1st. L squad had debrief at a small resort located on the Nile river for the first 5 days and then we headed off to our ministry sites.
The Hungry youngsters are working with Pastor Vianney and his family. This family welcomed us with open arms and has spoiled us from the beginning. We have felt so loved and welcomed into this community. This family is on fire for God and you can tell the Spirit is alive in them.
During debrief I hadn’t been feeling the best. I spent most of debrief in bed with an achy body…(however, I didn’t let that stop me from rafting the Nile. You can’t pass that opportunity up). Anyways, we arrived at our host’s home on the 6th and that afternoon, Katie, Pastor V, and I headed to the clinic to see what my problem was. Well, the nurse informed me that I had MALARIA!
Tears came immediately.
I was frustrated.
I was mad at God.
Why did I have to start Africa with malaria?
I’m not supposed to get that.
I have people praying for my health. Why isn’t God answering that prayer?
All these thoughts, questions, and emotions went through my head. I questioned why this was happening and why God would make me go through this.
My attitude on Sunday and Monday wasn’t the greatest. I was still mad and frustrated that I had gotten malaria. I wasn’t too excited about ministry on Monday. We are doing a lot of door to door evangelism this month; I have never done that before. I felt so much inadequacy and didn’t know what I was going to say. I didn’t want to be in Africa. I wanted to be at home, on my couch, in front of the Christmas tree with my dog and with access to my parents.
Tears came again.
I had a little pity party for myself.
I contemplated what it would be like if I went home right at that moment.
I knew I would regret that decision.
I knew I was going to have to make a decision to either choose to wallow in my homesickness and have an awful month or to choose to enjoy the opportunity that I have been given.
It would be so easy to just give up when it gets hard but I know that regret would settle in almost immediately.
So I decided that I am going to embrace each day with an attitude of joy. I am going to choose to give my all each and every day. As much as I may miss home, I know that God has me here for a specific reason and I am not about to defy God’s plan.
In James 1 it states, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
God is testing my faith; he is allowing me to develop perseverance so that I can become mature and complete in my faith. Praise the Lord for that. As much as I dislike the trials, I am finding comfort in the fact that God is going to reward that perseverance and I will come out of this stronger than I was before.
So for those of you who may have experienced that homesickness or are experiencing it right now, know that God has you where you are for a purpose and you are doing what he is calling you to. He won’t let you do this alone. He is right beside you, walking with you and carrying you when it becomes too much. He loves you and won’t ever stop loving you. Rest in that truth.
Love,
Andrea
A little glimpse at what our month is looking like…we will be doing a variety of activities. Door to door evangelism, youth activities, sports outreach, speaking at home churches, visiting hospitals, and community work. Basically anything you can imagine. Our host family is amazing, loving and patient. We sleep in comfy beds every day and are sleeping in comfort. It is surprisingly not very hot here. The mornings and evenings have a bit of a chill to them which I find to be wonderful! Please continue to pray for good health for my team and squad and please pray for us as we are doing ministry. We have come across a little bit of resistance and the work can be very draining. Thank you again for your support and encouragement!
