We made it safely to South Africa yesterday morning after three long days of travel. We did have a chance to visit downtown London during our 12 hour layover (and on 0 hours of sleep!) but Jon, Katie, Eric and I made our way to the Tate Modern museum as well as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. And what trip is complete without fish n’ chips in the park? (Well, no fish for me..yuck!) It was a georgeous spring day in London and we had a marvelous time!
After sleeping through our second red eye flight in a row, I woke to a beautifuly painted pink and orange sunrise against the wing of the plane. The moon was still out and it was full and bright. The landscape of the African plain was in full view. My heart was at rest as I allowed the comforting feeling of “home” to enter in. I truly view Africa as a place I could live forever and landing on the runway in Johannesburg, South Africa was like returning to a place that has gotten under my skin (in a good way!) This is now my fifth time in Africa and I must warn all of you who are thinking of coming here some day, you may never want to leave. This place will haunt you like a wonderful dream until you return. So, beware!
We are staying at a place called Alabanza. It is a ministry site outside Johannesburg that we may possibly work with when we return here in two months. For now, we are waiting on Team B to arrive tomorrow morning and then for our Mozambique visas to go through. We should be able to depart for another long bus ride (we are no strangers to these!) on Wednesday or Thursday.
I am excited to be briefed about our time in Mozambique. One thing about this year is that it is an insane way to live…not knowing what I will be doing or where I will be living in a weeks time. But I am learning that I love the question marks in my life. In fact, I thrive on them. There is something so exhilirating about allowing God to take the wheel of your life and take you through experiences that you would have never chosen for yourself. If you have never had the opporutnity to live in this kind of dependency, I pray that you would be put in this place at some point in your life. I have never been more unsure of myself or my surroundings, but more sure in who I am and who God has made me to be.
Once we are in Mozambique, connecting with you all will be very difficult. I may not even be able to carry my camera, so I may disappear for a month. But know I do pray for all of you and thank you for doing the same for me and my team!
Points for prayer in the next month:
*For no difficulties in aquiring visas for our entire team.
*For an abundance of ministry opportunities and for hearts of compassion as we see the devestation left by an area hit by a cyclone not 2 months ago.
*For increased sensitivity to the people affected by this disaster
*For HEALTH! We are entering a very high risk area for malaria. We are taking our pills like good boys and girls but there still remains a risk for sickness.
*For team unity…it is harder than it appears.
*For grace as we transition again.
*For us to remain moldable to God’s will and that we will continually be submissive to the Lord’s plan for our team.
