34 DAYS.
I. Am. VERY. Excited. To. Go. Back.
As I am counting down and preparing for it, my mind is racing with things that I need to do-for the trip, for WR related stuff, for life in general. Let's face it.
LIFE IS CRAZY.
IT NEEDS TO SLOW DOWN.
I find myself many times through out the day going, "God's got this Nikki, TRUST Him, He knows what He is doing. He's GOT THIS"
I was talking with a fellow teammate of mine the other who is also going to Zambia with me. This will be her first time going and it was great just sharing with her, encouraging her and, hopefully, relaxing a few of her nerves.
I am excited to return. To see the kids there again. TO see the physical growth of the new buildings they are adding and expanding. To play with the kids. To hold their hands and to laugh with them. I am craving worshipping with them. There is something about an authentic African church that is AMAZING!!!!!!! it is like they have 'no fear' of who is watching them or of people judging them with how they worship. IT IS SO FREEING!!!
My little brother will be joining me on the team this time too, and I am pumped to share a special piece of my heart with him…he will see a side of me that people only see if they travel with me (Look out "R" squad!" Its gonna be awesome!). But for real though-it is almost like I 'come alive' in other cultures with the local people. It is a feeling like no other.
Friends of mine told me before I went last year, that "Nikki, God will break your hear in africa. You will leave a huge piece of your heart there.' I didnt Believe them…but they were right. God broke my heart (or in words of my youth girls..He Shattered it in a million little pieces" BUT the great thing about our God, is that He doesnt stop there. He picks us up one by one and makes us greater, makes us stronger.
I just daily have to remind myself of that.
One thing (out of the MANY) that I love about my squad already-is how God has connected us. How AWESOME is that that a fellow racer on my squad-has been to Zambia as well previously? I was SO PUMPED when I heard that. God is great.
Simple.
as.
That.
"Father, thank you for who YOU are. Thank you for holding me. For guiding me. For pulling me through. Help me to rely on Your strength. Help me to see Your face. Now. Tomorrow. Everyday of my life. I am YOUR child.' Praise GOD!!
