The brisk morning air fills the room as the sound of the rooster wakes me up, the morning has arrived, ready or not. After making breakfast, brushing my teeth, and trying to make a new outfit out of the 2 skirts I have, I head out for my mile hike down our dirt road to catch a bus. Sometimes, we hitch rides with the locals on their way to town. We hop in the back of trucks and hold on tight. It’s funny…in the states I would never think to hitch hike a ride, but here in Africa it is a daily occurrence. We have met some of the most interesting and fascinating people in doing so. Each day is an adventure to arrive at our destination!
After catching a ride, they drop us off at the bus rank. This place is a mad house! Buses going in and out and people everywhere! Although there are crowds in each direction, our white skin keeps us from blending in. Each day we get marriage proposals left and right; men offering us cows, goats and chickens in exchange for our hand. How endearing right? NOT. As if a complete stranger confession their instant love and desire for you isn’t flattering enough, try having them ask you to be their 5th wife! I mean, I don’t wanna be their first wife, but at least let me have the decency of being someone’s first choice.
This is Africa.
I swing by the Baker’s Corner each morning for my coffee and bran muffin. It’s funny how the ladies know me by name and I have begun to build a friendship with them. I love walking in the door and hearing “Good Morning Tiff, what will you be having today?”. It really does bring me a sense of home, even though I am sure far off.
Another quick walk and I am at the Hope House. This is where I am doing ministry this month and it has been quite fulfilling. This is a place for patients who have been told by their doctor that there is nothing else they can do for them. Most of them have terminal cancer, HIV/AIDS or TB. Since they have been given no hope from the doctors, this is a peaceful home where they can end their life in peace or by God’s grace they can recover. It is for sure difficult at times to see such sad cases, knowing they don’t have much life left. However, it’s been so convicting to see some of the joy these people have. One of my favorite women is to visit it Jabo. Her name alone means “happiness” and she sure fits the part. The light in the room when you enter it is illuminating and she is filled with smiles. She is at the Hope House taking care of her husband, David. You see, he has late stages of prostate cancer and it’s spread to his bones so his days on earth are limited. You wouldn’t know it by looking into her eyes though. She is full of hope and life. She has four boys at home and it breaks my heart to think that their father will most likely not be returning home with her. She quit her job so that she could spend every day taking care of her husband. She is inspirational to say the very least.
Yesterday she was teary eyed, and discouraged when I stopped by. I asked her what was wrong. She began to explain to me how difficult it is to handle her husband dying. She also shared her worries with me about how she will take care of herself and her boys after he’s gone. She had to quit her job to take care of him and she is not sure they will take her back. Perspective…God has been giving me so much of that lately. Seeing how people are hurting and their lives are on the line makes me feel convicted about some of the things I worry about. Although I didn’t know exactly what she was going through, I did know that God was the only hope I could offer her. I was able to pray over her and bring her some encouragement that Jesus loved her and was holding her through this all. There were tears and I could begin to feel the pain she was feeling. I am so thankful that Jesus sometimes allows us to literally “feel” other’s pain so we can understand. I was also encouraged by the fact that Jesus Himself has felt everything we have felt…which makes Him the precious, relatable Savior He is.
My other favorite at the Hope House is Lungalo. He is a 16-year-old boy, full of life and has dance moves that would blow your mind! He has tuberculosis, but thankfully he is recovering and hopefully will be leaving the home soon. The only problem is they don’t have anywhere for him to go. He is in need of a family. I know what you are thinking, just put him in your backpack! I can’t people! Oh, but I wish I could…if so, I would already be the mom to like a dozen kids. He loves to play soccer, but didn’t have a ball, so we bought him one. His eyes lit up and now he carries that ball everywhere! He loves Bob Marley and dances all over the place when we play it. It is hilarious to watch.
God is teaching me a lot this month. I am fighting feelings of homesickness, but He is helping me to stay present and soak up each day here in Africa I have left. It’s hard to believe it’s almost over and I’ll be moving on to the final month.
This is Africa.
As always, thank you for your never-ending support and encouragement. It has kept me going all these months and I couldn’t have done it without each of you.
X
