The moment I peered out of the airplane window, overlooking the African sky, my heart was full all over again. Africa does something to your soul, a statement that anyone who has stepped foot in the continent would attest to. To say I was overwhelmed with emotion would only graze the surface of my heart. Yes, I was moments away from being back in Africa, but I too was reflecting on the previous 5 months that I just spent in Southeast Asia. My heart and soul has been through so much on this journey, and I am only halfway through. I’ve been submerged into various cultures, seen brokenness, poverty, so many people I want to love on and impact, so many opportunities to make a change and tell people who Jesus is. What I’ve learned is that these places, these people, these experiences, will leave more of a mark on my life than I ever could on theirs.
I am currently in Namibia, a country that wasn’t originally on our route for the year. God has a neat way of showing us that His plans always prevail. Being a raised up squad leader, I am blessed with the opportunity to pray into where I go for the month. The lord lead me to serve alongside a team going to Namibia, rather than the originally planned month in Botswana.
For the month, we are at an orphanage called Moria Grace. This home is run by Mommy and Papi, two people who by the grace of God have created a safe place for hundreds of children to call home. These children each individually have a unique and heartbreaking story, though you wouldn’t expect that by the joyfulness you experience when you’re around them.
The children are on holiday for the month, which means a wide open schedule and a overflowing amount of opportunities to love on them like Jesus would. Our first week here has consisted of bible studies, numerous songs and dances, worship under the stars (with a makeshift Christmas tree lit up in the yard), and a surreal moment of dancing in the first rain storm of which they’ve so patiently been praying for, to ease even a slight amount of heat in this drought.
Africa is stretching, a completely different culture, a very different way of life. The common denominator here is that we all praise the same God, a God who is so sovereign. I prayed that He would take away the comfort I’ve been blessed with so far on the race, for him to really show me what it looks like to trust and rely on him in situations where there isn’t familiarity to fall back on. The less “stuff” I have in my life the more I see how truly rich I am in my heart. When my circumstances are stripped of comfort, of wifi, of freedom to go here and there as I please, to eat familiar food, to be connected with my loved ones back home, the more I see the Father and the amazing things he is doing right in front of me.
This month is going to be refreshing, challenging, and full of so much growth. I’m learning so much more about God’s heart, who He is, how He loves, and what He wants to show me as I trust and rely on him each day. This orphanage is full of so many opportunities to love harder, teach these children about Jesus on a deeper level, and continue walking into new depths in my spiritual growth.
Wifi is almost nonexistent here in Namibia, so know that when I’m able to update you all I will! I cannot express how loved and supported I feel from all of you back home. You’re impact on my life has directly trickled down to the little ones I get to love on here in Africa!!
I love you all, Happy Holidays, and God Bless!
Jami
~I still need roughly $1,500 to be fully funded by January. I know the holiday season is here, but know that every little bit helps! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!!!~
