“Don’t go unless you are called by God, it is a very dangerous country we get robbed weekly”- words spoken to me about Tanzania when I was 17 years old.
So in the beginning of the race I was extremely happy to find that we wouldn’t be going to East Africa instead we were heading South a place I have always wanted to go. Well God decided he had a better plan for us when he changed our route in month two to go to East Africa which would include Kenya, Uganda, and the much dreaded Tanzania.
As you could imagine I had no desire to go to Tanzania after having these words spoken to me before I even knew I would be doing missions. Then a team was completely robbed at gun point last summer in Tanzania robbed of all of their belongings but by the protection of God they were not harmed. So I automatically assumed well if this happened and I was told not to go God would never send us there, but I was so wrong. I prayed and prayed we would go to Mozambique or Rwanda so we wouldn’t have to step foot on Tanzanian soil. But guess where I am 
now.. yeah that’s right I am sitting in my room with Jessica in front of me in Morogoro Tanzania! But if there has been one word for this month it is ‘Redeemed’
Redeemed- to buy back, repurchase, saved, to rescue (often from sin) with a ransom.
Tanzania has redeemed itself, the words that were spoken to me and read by alumni mean very little to me, I came into this month expecting to be miserable to be robbed and taken advantage of to be stripped of all I have but my love for Christ. As soon as I would get her I was expecting to want to leave, to never feel safe walking around, and not want to talk to anyone. That was just silly of me though. Tanzania is my favorite African country we have been to the people are some of the most genuine sweetest people you will meet. They truly care about you, your protection, if you are well rested, how your time with God was, and how your health is doing. They want to be your rafiki (friend), they look out for you and make sure that no one is trying to harm you. I haven’t felt threatened once in Tanzania I have to say compared to Kenya and especially Uganda this is the safest I have felt possibly even the entire race and who would of ever though that. We are staying at a local guest house in the middle of a village the owner takes great care of us and doesn’t let anyone in without I.D and permission from us and the church. They lock the gate, porch, and front door at night and some nights Jessica and I have even forgot to lock our door.
God is truly moving in my heart, my teammates and the people of the community in Tanzania. He has showed us his incredible beauty and peace this month, being in the middle of a village. From simple things from the children running to the stars in the sky we always see Gods splendor and presence. This month I have exercised my preaching skills like never before we have church daily sometimes even twice a day so I have had many times to speak and I can honestly say the Lord is using me and speaking through me. if I was ever called back to Africa this is where I would want to be. I guess that shows you to never listen to what others say you should always find things out for yourself, because like me, what you were expecting could be completely redeemed.
