As we are wrapping up our 3 months in Africa, I am blown away by how fast time flew by. This experience has been unreal and just about unexplainable! As I think back to Zambia, I remember the first week, when I would cry everyday and wonder what I was doing across the world – away from my family, my comforts, my regular everyday life that I was pretty content with. Now I was living with 12 girls I didn’t know, in a house with lizards, no doors to our rooms, never a guarantee of running water, and when the rain would come … well, you had to scream to hear each other! I remember looking at the calendar on the wall, thinking this is going to be a really long 3 months! After a few weeks, I didn’t cry as much and my roommate, Oriana would tell me that she was proud of me and I was doing really good!
Now, my 3 months in Africa is coming to an end and I can’t believe how fast it went by!
Over these 3 months, I got to be apart of so many different ministries and experience; I couldn’t be more grateful for all those opportunities!
In Zambia i got to work in a grade 7 class of 60 kids where I learned that even through doing simple things you are showing love and “planting seeds”! I didn’t see those “seeds” grow but I am positive that they will grow; that their “roots” will be “rooted”in Christ and they will go out and plant even more seeds!
I had the chance to go to an African church there where I couldn’t understand much of the service but I could tell they were on fire for Christ! I saw that even though they had little they gave lots! During soccer ministry, I got to be apart of some of the best dance parties, where the dance moves of the 5 year olds, put me to shame! I rode in taxis where the driver drove like a mad man, but we always got on the topic of Jesus and prayed for him at the end.
In Botswana, I got to work in an orphanage where I fell in love with the sweetest baby whose smile could make your whole day! I got to go to a youth group that was on fire for Christ, where their students had some amazing dance moves and beautiful hearts! I got to share my testimony in front of a church there and have a tea party with 2 of the sweetest women in Maun!
In South Africa, I got to go to squatter camps and talk with moms and grandmas, encourage them and tell them about the unfailing love of God! I also got to be a part of kid’s programs – full of dancing, bible stories, smiles and tons of hugs! And in the past 3 months – I got to build amazing friendships that are now more like a sisterhood, with a beautiful team of 12 girls! They have encouraged me, built me up, inspired me, laughed with me (till Cassidy literally peed) were vulnerable with me, cried with me, studied the bible with me and showed me what a woman of God looks like! They have taught me so much and have become friends that have a very special spot in my heart. I can’t imagine life without them now!
These 3 months have been full of amazing times! This is not to say those times were never hard, but through both the struggles and the good times, God has taught me an incredible amount! He has changed my heart drastically! He has grown me in my faith and has been so present in these past 3 months! He has grown my trust in him. He has grown my patience. He has grown my love for others and he has given me an attitude that is ready to serve in any way. He taught me that ministry is ministry no matter what you are doing: whether you are helping a lady do laundry, or cuddling a baby, or teaching a class – all of it is serving God and bringing His kingdom to earth!
That first week in Zambia I was so sad and nervous to spend 3 months in Africa and now that the calendar shows it is the final week, I am sad that there isn’t much time left! These 3 months have been incredible – from little kids grabbing your hands and walking with you down the street, to sitting and talking with a mama in a small shack about Jesus and hearing her story! I couldn’t be more thankful for these 3 months of serving, growing and loving deeper! I am so thankful to all my supporters – you have no idea how far your support and prayers have gone!
Now as 13 girls pack their bags to part and go their separate ways, that parting will be hard! But, we know this …. we are leaving each other as warriors, women of God; stronger, kinder, and on fire to serve Him elsewhere – some of us back overseas and others right in our home towns; sharing the good news and love of God!
