Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

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You might be Kristen in Mozambique, IF…
  1. You’ve learned to be cautious while eating salads, considering there are often large rocks laced throughout the lettuce and tomatoes.
  2. You’ve learned to chuck the fork away from your plate, and just dig in with your hands.
  3. You notice it smells strange when you CAN’T smell body odor all around you.
  4. You walk a friend into a clinic to get an antibiotic and the receptionist apologizes that the Dr. won’t perform any surgeries today. No, no…I JUST want an antibiotic. Don’t cut anything.
  5. You shake your head everytime you look at a van that you consider FULL, only to realize you can fit at LEAST another 14 people alongside you.
  6. You’re working food distribution in a “neighborhood” and almost get pummeled by two angry donkeys, a herd of cattle, and an old man on a bicycle. They truly stop for NO ONE. 
  7. You’re relieved when there is a “bathroom” at your resting place that consists of corns stalks and a deep hole cause it’s better that the cement slabs that some mistake for a toliet.
  8. You lie in bed and don’t flinch anymore when the household rat runs across your arm in the middle of the night. I mean, he’s furry and a baby, how much damage can he do?
  9. Just the thought of looking at the car makes you ill, as you’ve successfully been car sick on EVERY car ride thanks to the enormous potholes that could house small families on almost every road.
  10. You don’t ask what meat you’re eating anymore, you just chew, smile, and swallow.
QUICK UPDATE
For those of you who haven’t received some of emails, I apologize that you’ve been so out of the loop. It’s not easy to find internet connections here.
 
MY BIRTHDAY
My birthday in South Africa was amazing, despite me being worried about getting homesick. My team thought of everything, made sure i was supplied with my favorite snacks: cheddar cheese, dark chocolate, tea…some FRESH FLOWERS, and even some letters from home. I had lunch at a REAL restaurant and even received a beautiful cake.  I felt so loved and grateful for the people that were surrounding me.
 
CURRENT SITUATION:
After an extremely LONG journey, BLING finally arrived at their 5th location in Chimoio, Mozambique. We are serving alongside Iris Ministries, and staying with a wonderful family that makes us feel at home. We have had the opportunity to preach during the weekends, intercess on behalf of the children’s home that’s being established here, and help with food distribution in two different cities. We’ve been able to get our hands into quite a few things, and still have some time together.
 
I’m working on a blog about my experience preaching at a little village called Vanduzi. I stayed in the home of a pastor in the middle of the African bush. We had no electricity, slept under the stars, and spent an entire afternoon wandering around the village and praying for the sick. It was one of the most simple and beautiful things I’ve experienced yet this year. So, more to come….I apologize for a lack of real experience information and pictures, but I just wanted to fill you in for a bit while I had time. I probably won’t post any other blogs until next weekend when we get back to our location in South Africa.
 
I love you all and can’t tell you how appreciated comments, emails, and prayers are…I know I may not respond to all of you, but I see each one and am so grateful to know that I have people back home still thinking and praying for me. I’m so blessed….
 
AND…to all the father’s out there….when we have better internet there is a little “gem of thanks” to come. Worry not.
 
To my dad: I hope you see this before you leave for Canada….I ADORE YOU and will spend my entire Father’s Day praying for your safety and fishing success in Canada. Please have an amazing time and know that I’m so grateful to have a father who sat through LONG swimmeats, endured hours of tennis matches, laughed at horrible plays, and actually enjoyed those choir concerts. Your attendance might have gone unnoticed then, but I’m abundantly aware now of how many people didn’t have papa cheering on the sidelines now. You are a phenomenal man, father, and golfer. 🙂 The more that I travel, the more I realize how rare men like you are….I’m proud of you. I love you with all of my heart. Enjoy Canada. Happy Father’s Day!