Yep. I’m currently laying on the mat on the floor, in the middle of the bush of Africa on Christmas Eve, and I have malaria.
I am laying on the mat on the floor next to my sweet teammate Lizzy who also has malaria. I am sweating, I am nauseous, and I feel terrible. I have people coming up to our hut every fiveminutes to check on usand pray for healing. It is super sweet of them, but when I am sick I just want some space.
Every part of me just wishes that I was at home in my comfy queen-sized bed, with a giant comforter, lots of pillows, and my ceiling fan to keep me cool. I wish I had my mom to take care of me and space to rest. I wish I could see my family and friends for Christmas. There are so many things that would make life more comfortable right now.
But instead of all that, I am here, smack dab in the middle of exactly where the Lord wants me.
He is asking me to look at the things around me with a different perspective. I’m in the middle of an amazing village with so many incredible Africans, so many people who are on fire for God. I’m surrounded by amazing teammates and squad leaders who love me and genuinely want to take care of me.
I am thankful. I am thankful for these people around me. I am thankful for a hospital that will have you in and out in 15 minutes, fully diagnosed with medicine in hand. Really, America needs to take notes from African hospitals.
The Lord is taking me on a journey, a journey of complete abandonment. He is taking me to a place where I have no choice but to rely on him and his strength. A place where all the earthy comforts are gone, and all I can do it find comfort in Jesus.
Even though this Christmas is never what I would have pictured,, I wouldn’t change it for anything. There is no where else I would want to be right now but in the presence of my Heavenly Father. My perspective of Christmas has changed this year, and I have never been more thankful for Jesus’ birth.
It is a Christmas I will never forget.
Merry Christmas!
Joyfully His,
Courtney
P.S I got medicine and a shot in the butt, so I am feeling a lot better now.
