It is surreal to think that 4 days ago I was drinking Starbucks in the Atlanta airport and today I’m checking my sheets for cockroaches. I came to Africa with zero to no expectations… (so I thought), but once arriving in our first mission’s destination in the bush of Africa, my comfortability was in for a rude awakening. Each day I feel excitement to embrace every minute with a sense of mystery and anticipation. I have come to find that the beauty is in the unknown and unexpected.
Yesterday, some of my team and I were going to walk into town (or in other words to the only store within 3 miles where you can get a snack), but we were pleasantly derailed by two little girls who saw us from afar. When our eyes locked they instantly ran and leaped into our arms to greet us. Then two little girls suddenly became thirty! We spent the day giving piggy back rides, swinging on monkey bars, and gliding down slides. It is safe to say that I got my cardio in for the day. When it was time for the kids to eat lunch, we were able to shift our attention to the children’s mothers, grandmothers and caretakers. Exhaustion would be an understatement.
Today’s ministry was similar, but just add a 7 mile hike to the mix. I was feeling confident 3 miles in…. the other 4… not so much. As we were making our final stretch with about a half mile to go, we saw little heads pop up from around a gate. Once we were in running distance we were swarmed by a crowd of bright eyed, joyous little ones. Immediately we hugged and loved on them as if our lives depended on it. We spent the rest of the afternoon dancing, singing and enjoying each other’s company. From just our few short days of being in active ministry I am blown away by the feeling of home and peace I feel in the surrounding village, as well as the sense of family-like community I have found in my team. I can say with confidence that yes, I am drenched in sweat. Yes, I am covered in dirt and ants. Yes, I am uncomfortable and yes, I am thriving.
There is something about the pure joy of being immersed by the Spirit of Christ and confident that you are exactly where He has called you to be. Knowing that you are under the sweet leadership and protection of the Father, there is nothing quite like it. Love knows no language, ethnicity, or religion. Love is simply love. It is doing life with the mindset of service. Dying to self and realizing your purpose is far greater than your comfortability. There have been too many moments where I have felt my heart break for those we meet and the conditions in which they are forced to live, but then I am reminded that their hearts are not filled with despair of what could be; instead, they are filled with joy and contentment in the present (and presence) of the Spirit. I am absolutely honored to have the chance to be a small blip in their precious lives. I pray that the Lord will use me some way, somehow as a walking testament of His glory.
Each week I would like to upload a list of current prayer requests. I’m sure we can all agree that one of the most powerful ways to encourage and collectively support fellow brothers and sisters in Christ is through prayer.
Prayer requests
Week 1
- Health: For myself, as well as some of my team members who are struggling with a rough chest cold. A couple of us have visited local clinics and are being prescribed antibiotics to make sure the infection doesn’t turn into pneumonia. It is quite difficult to give 100% when your physical body isn’t even there
- Team unity: It would be silly of me to deny that there Is always perfect peace when living in confined quarters with others. The enemy is real and is looking for any given chance to erupt discord between the Body, especially when their sole purpose is sharing the love of Christ.
Thank you all so much for your continuous support. Updates and new blog posts will hopefully be uploaded every week. We are in rural Africa so accessing WIFI is not the simplest of tasks… I will be posting blogs as well as photos and other videos, so stay tuned! Your patience is highly appreciated.
Father,
Your will be done, nothing more, nothing less.
XX
