Truth: A Reflection on Africa

I have been stumped on what to share with you about our time in Johannesburg, South Africa.  Many days here have felt like I am just back in America living life, which has been weird.  I drive a car every day, I usually go into the office, I can grab a diet coke and pretzels whenever I want; believe me that is not normal on the World Race.  We have had a lot of freedom and it has shown me that many of my desires that existed before I left are still present. The difference I have seen though is my perspective and who I am is radically different than 8 months ago. 

 

There are people who have captured my heart like Doreen at Children of Fire, Aunti Teresa who sells random knick-knacks at the intersection by our house, and Nandi, who lives in the township and volunteers at the feeding center.  I see more and more daily how God ordains conversations and peoples paths to cross all in His timing and for specific reasons.  For instance, last night I went to a mission’s conference and met this man Graham.  He asked if he could pray for me, as the Lord had laid me on his heart.  The things he prayed were very fitting with where I am at, the Lord spoke to me through this man’s prayer.

 

 

As I reflect on the last 3 months in Africa I am blown away by what the Lord has done.  I have truly experienced His peace, “the peace that surpasses all understanding.”  I have experienced His love and His grace and He has begun to allow me to see people more clearly through His eyes.  My heart has been broken and at the same time been restored.  I know who I am in Him and knowing my identity in Christ has brought freedom.  It doesn’t matter what the world or those around me say, the more I hide myself in Him, the more He purifies my heart and I see Him in every day things all around me.  He is the only thing I want to live my life for and really that is all that matters to me.  I have begun to hear His voice, even though He has always been speaking, and that voice gives me confidence and strength I need to be bold for Him.  I have learned the art of being present and it has changed me.

 

 

Quick Flashback: after our three months in Asia, I wanted to go home.  I was a walking train wreck and angry with myself for having such a weak faith.  I felt like a failure in everyway.  I wallowed in self-pity and despair and it controlled me.  But the more I read and study the lives of the disciples, a weak faith is really common, failure is really common, and insecurity is really common.  In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul talks about how He pleaded with the Lord 3 times to take away the thorn in His flesh (his weakness).  I think I have pleaded a million times, but God’s response to me is the same as it was to Paul. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I am learning to boast in those thorns.  The beauty of being weak is that we know our need for a Savior, we know our incapability of doing it on our own.  Believe me, I KNOW my need for a Savior.  God had and still has so much more for me.  I’m thankful for the sisterhood and family He put around me that encouraged me to keep fighting and pressing on.  I am thankful for the journey He has given me around the world to learn these life lessons.