Raindrops make a beautiful soundtrack for my thoughts as I lay in my tent and reflect on our time living in Africa. Tanzania has been wonderful. God has done so much in such a short time. Here’s a short list of things I’ve been blessed enough to experience:
- Holding hands with my 101 yr. old best friend Monica
- Kissing and hugging bald headed babies until my heart explodes
- Bathing little ones with baby wipes and cleaning their wounds any chance I can get them still
- Praying for the sick in the hospital
- Grieving and crying with women who just had miscarriages
- Laughing with children as they pee on me
- Cradling a tiny flea infested kitten and knowing God put it in my path on a hard day just to make me smile.
- Talking with young girls finishing high school about deciding who they want to be in college and choosing to be a woman of God.
- Preaching with my husband on submission and reconciliation and feeling the Holy Spirit speak through us.
- Painting little Liana’s fingernails/toenails as she sleeps. Quietly watching her slowly wake and react to color on her normally dirty fingernails. It was one of the most magical moments of my life. Confusion led to curiosity, which led to fascination and ultimately joy. Maybe a tiny glimpse of what the Father sees as he watches us figure out his will for our lives.
- Pulling weeds for “women’s ministry” at the church we attend and feeling a part of our community.
- Relying on God to be my Healer, my Comforter, and my Strength as I have been battling malaria, parasites, and a bacterial infection.
- Passing out in church because I danced too hard after being sick (totally worth it!)
- Personalizing God’s love and sharing the gospel creatively to each person we meet as we go door to door through our village.
- Allowing the Holy Spirit to speak truth through Josh and I and feeling the power of the marriage covenant we made with Christ when we minister together.
- Hearing the church congregation participate in Q & A after sermons and seeing what church should really look like: people craving understanding of God’s word, admitting out loud when they are unclear or confused by it, and not leaving the building until they fully understand what has been taught that day and have learned how to start applying it to their lives!
- Dancing, dancing, dancing. Dancing to the drums at church, dancing with children in the living room of the pastors house where we live, dancing on the bumpiest 20 hr+ bus ride in my cramped seat to praise and worship music on my ipod, ballet dancing with my teammate Alex in empty hallways to music only we can hear.
Blessings to YOU, the person reading this right now! I feel compelled to tell you that nothing about you escapes God. He is passionately attentive to EVERY detail in your life. Choose NOT to be overwhelmed, seek his wisdom and recieve His love. He will never give you more than you can bear. You are in good hands.
**We welcome your prayers for a speedy recovery from the malaria and a few other health complications. I’m so ready to be active but not able to do much but rest and talk with God right now. We are now in our next country Malawi and trusting Him with whatever he has planned for me during this month.
