Before I went to Africa I'd see pictures in magazines, hear stories but never got the full glimpse of how life is in Africa. It's been a year since I was in Africa, and I still miss it probably more than the day I left to go back to Germany. I never thought somewhere could feel so foreign to me and a day later feel like my home. While I lived in Africa God gave me a new pair of eyes, eyes to see Africa how he sees is. Africa is one of those beautiful places that in hard times, struggles, darkness. You see the light in that place. You see the love that God brings to that place. they don't have anything but all they need is God. And you see it everyday just walking down the street. I never thought that there was a possible way to fall in love with a place that I only lived in for a few months. But as the nights came and the new morning arrived God placed people in my life for a specific reason. A specific purpose. They changed me. Africa changed my perspective on life. It changed me completely. I'm wrecked, i'm changed. The many people that impacted my life for the time I was in Africa has a special place for my heart and won't ever be replaced. They touched my heart, they didn't know me and still welcomed me into their home, as a team we were there to bless them, but they blessed us 100 times more.
Here are some pictures, moments I won't ever forget.
These are pictures from the church in the refugee camp. The first time going into that church this little girl stood out to me, I don't know why. She seems really scared at first seeing us. She probably hasn't ever seen a muzungu before. So I took it slow so can get used to me after a few days she warmed up to me. For awhile she had this sad look on her face, but once I held her and played with her and just goofed off with her she couldn't stop laughing and smiling. it's the little things that touch my heart. God uses us in big and small ways and they both make a huge impact. It was absolutely beautiful. I'm crying just thinking about that moment.
Mama Africa…where do I even start? In lodwar where we stopped for debrief and resting within traveling days. Mama Africa was absolutely incredible. She always spoiled us with different food varieties. She is one the loving, joyful, giving, passionate, Godly ladies I will ever know. She is such a huge blessing in my life with the short time I knew her. But constantly she is on my mind and I always wonder what she's doing at the moment. She is such a beautiful woman. Her beauty on the inside just shines on the outside within her.
A translotor that I got to know very well yelled out to me while I was with some african children and a teammate from town. and the someone was calling my name, so I went over and this man made a braclete for me. i was thinking to myself why me? What's so special about me that you wanted to spend so much time making this braclete? But they insisted on me taking it. One of the many keepsakes I WILL FOREVER KEEP. A few days later I was told that the man gave it to me because he was encouraged with my prayer and serman for church and he wanted me to remember that I am loved and that I am a daughter of God. I really miss him these days.
These are just a very few of the many photos I could have posted.
