Here I sit with only 20 days left before I leave the country. WOW. Even writing it and seeing it on the screen is scary. Reality hasn't really set in…can this be real? Ready or not, it is real and it is happening. The funds have been raised (glory to God), the gear has been purchased, the training is nearly complete, the goodbyes are starting and I am as prepared as I can be. Spending the week in Africa opened my eyes to many things and changed me in so many different ways. Many people have been asking me for more stories and I have been trying to process it all…that might take 11 months.
Nonetheless, here are 20 things about Africa that I loved and I feel helped prepare me for the race and for life itself.
20. Joy – They are happy! They have little but they are so joyful to be alive and know Christ. They bubble over with the joy of the Lord and it is convicting to say the very least.
19. Faith – Believe for the impossible on a daily basis seem unrealistic? Not for the African people. They expect miracles to surface at every meeting and are not surprised when they do.
18. Attire – They show up in their absolute best for the Lord. No casual or "bum" wear showed up, only suits, ties, dress and heels…even in the dirt. They wear their best for Him and show honor to His house.
17. Sincerity – There I stood at the altar as people ran to the front, fell to their knees with their hands raised and wept before the Lord. The sincerely desire to be more like Him and do more for Him. There were no fronts or masks present that day, only the purest of hearts.
16. Humility – These people are open to receive and humbled to take advice from others. They long for constructive feedback and ways they can improve their lives, marriages, churches and businesses.
15. Generosity – They love to give, no matter what they have or if they have nothing at all. My heart was filled with humility and my eyes with tears as they brought me the best gifts they had.
14. Beauty – What a gorgeous landscape God painted in Africa. The trees, mountains and green grass surprised me and made me stop in wonder. How creative is our God to make such beautiful places.
13. Food – It wouldn't be a complete blog if I didn't mention Gwen (all my fellow inner fat children say what) and her love for the food! Surprisingly, I fell in love with beans they served, which my mom would be shocked to here. But it was delicious and they cooked and served it with so much love how could I not enjoy it!
12. Kids – The children blessed my heart in a new way. They didn't care where I came from or what I had to offer (which wasn't much), they just wanted my love and they loved me exactly how I am.
11. Expectancy – Jesus is coming back and they are watching for Him! They are expecting Him and waiting anxiously for His return. Their hearts and eyes are already set on their Savior and not this world.
10. Service – They are servants! They cooked for me and served me first before themselves every single time. No matter what the need was, they were willing to step up to the plate and serve anyone in need.
9. Peace – They aren't afraid of the future or the unknown. They are at peacing knowing God is in control of it all. When I told them about the race, not one person asked if I was afraid; they simply said "Praise God".
8. Value – They value the gift of salvation in a way I haven't seen much in my short life. They don't take it for granted and they are thankful for the cross in a way that made me have to check my own heart.
7. Hungry – The never get enough of Him. They always want more; more worship, more teaching, more preaching, more studying. Because they are unable to get full, their hunger drives them to constantly feast on all that God is.
6. Appreciation – They have little but they are appreciative of what they have. They make the best out of it and do not complain about not having the best of things. They are content and grateful. Something I could for sure use more of.
5. Best – The work hard and put their best efforts into what they do. They aren't lazy nor do they waste time. Their work ethic is to be envied.
4. Love – The way they love each other and how easily they open their hearts up to new people is incredible. I, being a complete stranger, was shown the highest level of love and respect in just minutes after arriving. What a concept to truly be able to love people genuinely and instantly.
3. Worship – MAN! Do these people know how to worship?! For hours on end they praise their King in full on suits and dresses. They don't care that it's boiling lava hot outside or that it is pouring rain. They carry on, taking no concern of the weather or conditions, bringing praise to Him and they never tire.
2. Honor – Never in my life have I felt more honored than by these beautiful people. They taught me how to treasure and appreciate the gifts of God in other people. How to put others above themselves in the most sincere way.
1. Dedication – The thing that touched me the most was their dedication and passion for the Lord. They go all in and all out for Him. The are 24/7 lovers of the King and don't let agendas get in the way. They aren't on a time schedule waiting for the next thing. They just love to be with Him. This is something I want to develop more in me over the next 11 months and the rest of my life…that I will have a Mary spirit and learn to truly soak Him in.
