“Be Careful, This is Africa!”
Those are the words the man yelled as we crossed the street. We’ve been in Asia for six months, where crossing the street increased your heart rate, yes, but we always knew that the motorbikes would do their best to dodge us. From my understanding, that is not the case here. But it was more than a warning… those words washed over me…
“This is Africa.” Yes, yes it is. Finally.
Don’t get me wrong, Asia was great. The first half of my race was eye-opening and life changing. But it’s as if… the moment we stepped off of that plane… this became a new race. I felt the same excitement I felt day one. It’s as if we have begun again.
Red dirt roads. Passion. Joy. Sunshine. Dancing. Singing. Fiery preaching. Bright white smiles. Beauty.
It all overtakes you. And there’s no doubt… This is Africa.
Not only is this a new continent … but it’s a new season.
God’s been working in me in ways I can’t fully express. The first half of my race God was working hard on me. He uprooted a lot in my life. As I surrendered the past hurts, the fear, the control… I stepped into increased freedom. And as I walk in that freedom, I have grown in confidence. I am learning who I am, who He created me to be.
This new season, as I step out of the season of healing and I walk in the confident freedom, I am finding that He is building me into the woman He desires me to be.
That woman is a leader.
She’s a worshipper.
She’s strong & bold.
She’s gentle & loving.
She’s genuine.
She’s compassionate.
She’s transparent.
She’s a servant.
She’s dependent on the Father.
She’s Spirit-filled & Spirit-led.
She’s more than a conquerer.
She’s a woman the Enemy fears.
She’s a daughter, a sister, a friend.
“She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.”
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
Her adorning is “the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”
This is Hannah
This is Africa.
