Our last week of Tanzania—we had an incredible opportunity to go on Safari in the Serengeti National Park– one of the greatest national parks in the world. It derived from the Maasai language— specifically, "Serengit" meaning "Endless Plains." My team, along with Rooted Remnants of Restoration went on an overnight trip. We drove 3 hours to the park and spent 6 hours the first day looking out the top of the safari jeep, taking pictures of the animals across the plains (which was merely Lion King that had come to life) & getting a GOOD dose of Vitamin D– the sunshine.
It was BEAUTIFUL. And everything that I’d hoped that it would be. We were able to camp in the park, so it’s the one time that our tents have came in handy. We were super stoked to use them—odd, but its the first time I’ve set it up since training camp. I’ve been super blessed to have a bed or a spot on the floor at a contact’s house or a ministry building all of the first 6 months on the race.
That night on safari was perhaps the clearest I’ve seen the stars on the race. In the heart of Africa, in the midst of the plains with mountains in the distance, surrounded by animal sounds in the faint distance throughout the night, with no headlamps or lanterns on and no rain-fly on the tent—it was perfect for stargazing. And stargazing is one of my favorite things to do in the whole entire world. I love when the psalmist says in Psalm 19—"The heavens declare the glory of God- the skies tell the works of his hands, day after day it pours forth speech and night after night it reveals knowledge.”
There I was in the midst of one of the most beautiful things the Lord has created. The mountains with an array of animals and the stars in the night sky—everything proclaiming how BIG and GREAT He is and how small I really am.
This God we serve—created it ALL. The BIG things that simply amaze us in creation, galaxies that are light years away, our solar system, Mt. Everest and Kilo—things that are super big—but that SAME God created the small, simple and minute things too—the intricate details of us as humans—the cells & nerves & veins in our bodies. Our brain and the way it works. Our skin that sheds a new layer ever 27 days. Our heart that pumps 48 million gallons of blood in a lifetime. He made them all to work together for His good—but so that we could function to praise and glorify him.
Our God is BIG. He’s a lover. He’s a provider, comforter, protector and FRIEND. He hears our hearts as they cry out. The times we rejoice in joy and the things that cause us pain. May you see that He cares and loves and that His grace is SUFFICIENT for you. May the fingerprints that He has on your environment and the enthralling world around you enable you to see that He’s got this. Trust in Him– in everything. Surrender and trust in Him. Abide in his love.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
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I took over a thousand pictures in 2 days. Trust me– I want to share some of my favs with you. My internet source isn't high speed so uploading pictures at the current time is difficult. I'll post some the next time I have quality internet.
