What I expected:
Worn torn country
Refugees
Battle scars
Spiritual warfare
Heat
Mud huts or tenting
Lots of walking
Suspicious food
Stomach problems
Incredibly bumpy roads
To constantly feel unsafe
What I’ve gotten:
Lots of dusty roads
No refuges
No visible scars of conflict
No spiritual warfare
Lots and lots of evangelism
Little relationship building
A new computer charger
My own room with a real bed, real towel, real fluffy blanket and two real pillows
Occasionally feeling threatened
Only very bumpy roads
Delicious food
Amazing coffee
Big surprise: this isn’t what I expected.
I like this place more than I thought I would
Things I am learning:
Humility
Sacrifice
Worship
To make the most of every moment
How to take advantage of my (hours) of down time every day
I’m reading parts of the Old Testament I’ve never read before and I love seeing new sides of God
How to make what I have learned over the past few months a lifestyle so that I will not walk away from this experience with any regrets and so that I won’t find myself sitting on a couch six months from now doing the same things I was doing last year. I want this year to count for more than 11 months.
Things I am still trying to figure out:
Humility
Sacrifice
Patience
That God’s promises are true for me as well, not just for other people. I can wholeheartedly pray for people and know that the prayers will be answered, they will be saved, redeemed or healed… but for me? That is another story. I still struggle with walking in the truth that God will provide for me. I know that He adores me… I know that I am my Beloved’s and He is mine… but I struggle with living it out.
On an uplifting note: our squad is rafting the Nile at the end of the month. Amazing. Please pray I do not drown or lose any teeth. See you all in 2 ½ months!!
African kids are adorable
I'm not brave enough to bungee jump into the Nile
But I did stand about 5 feet from these guys
Our Church
