God continues to amaze and bless me everyday, even when I don’t expect it. I had meant to post this story a few days ago, but I have had a bad case of “I don’t feel like writing, ughh, do I have to?” I still feel like that, but this is such an amazing story, I need to get it done before I forget the wonder and amazement I had in the moment. This happened on the second travel day from Africa to Ecuador.
My squad and I had a twenty-four hour layover in South Africa, which was the first huge blessing. For the past two months, I have been sleeping on the floor and taking almost ice cold showers, so my body was pretty worn out. Since we had such a long layover, the airline booked us a hotel for the night. A hotel with beds and hot showers. It was amazing taking a hot shower and being able to sleep in a actual bed. We were also blessed to be able to go to the Mall of Africa to shop and just relax. This is where the next blessing happened. Elijah, Victoria, Kendall, and I were able to go see the movie Black Panther. If you know me, you know I love both movies and super heroes, and this movie was one of the best super hero movies I’ve ever seen. Kendall and I could not stop talking about the movie after it was over. After the movie, we returned to our hotel and I slept better than I have in two months.
We rose early the next morning, and traveled back to the airport. The airport is where I received my last, but biggest blessing of South Africa. We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to kill. Kendall and I were airport buddies, (Airport buddy: Someone you stick with so if you get lost, at least you’re not lost alone.) and after we got through security, we were hungry. We set out on a quest to find food. We planned to get a muffin or something else light, but we found a cafe. Well, we thought it was a cafe, but it was actually a restaurant. We sat down at one of the tables, and a waitress brought us menus. We decided to sacrifice and buy a full breakfast. Thankfully, we had plenty of time because our food took a long time to come. While we waited, we just talked, one of my favorite past times. We talked about all of the amazing things God is doing in our lives, our future aspirations, and how bad my puns are. Finally, our food came, and we enjoyed a delicious breakfast. We finished our breakfast, and then waited for the waitress to come with our bill. We continued talking and talking and talking. Kendall shared a lot of the amazing things God’s been doing in her life. In turn, I shared what God has been doing in my life. It was inspiring to hear and share the great things God does for those who love him. Finally, we had to get to our gate. I called the waitress over and asked for the bill. The waitress responded, “What if I told you, you didn’t have to pay?” Flummoxed, we responded that that would be awesome. She then asked, “Do you go to church?” Even more confuzzled, we looked at each other and then said yes. The waitress left, and grabbed the bill. Kendall and I were extremely confused and kind of nervous because of the awkward interaction we had just had. When the waitress came back, she said that an older couple that had been sitting next to us, but had left a while ago, payed for our meal. Kendall and I were dumbstruck. We had no idea what to say or how to react. The waitress said, “The couple that was sitting there gave me a twenty and told me to tell you ‘God bless’.” Kendall and I were truly amazed because we knew that he meal was going to be more expensive than we had wanted it to be, but we were hungry and had no other place to eat. Kendall and I thanked the waitress and then walked toward our gate, amazed and awestruck at the love God had just shown us. We could not stop talking about it for almost thirty minutes. Two strangers had reached out and touched our souls. Two strangers had shown us, missionaries, the love of Jesus, without a word. Two strangers blessed us beyond words. Even when we don’t expect it, God watches out for us and shows us that he loves us.
Kendall and I both thank you Lord. Your provision is always more than enough. You fill us up to overflowing. I pray that you let us not only marvel at this love, but take what you have given us and use it to be your hands and feet. I love you God because you first loved me, and because you prove your love daily. Let all of our actions show you. Amen.
Kendall and I pre Black Panther
Elijah and I post Black Panther
Kendall and I in front of a random statue of the Hulk
Is this enough pictures of me mom?
