There are NO goodbyes, only “see you laters”.

 

Oh Africa.

Where do I even begin?

 

These last two months have been amazing.

Crazy hard.

Sweetly broken.

and just plain BEAUTIFUL.

In the words of a dear friend “I am just in this crazy season. It has been a difficult season… a season of being still before my Lord and listening. It has been a season of really clinging to the promise of Romans 8:28 and BELIEVING it. It has been a season that has left my pillow wet with tears, but has also caused my feet to dance in praise. It has been a season of declaration, healing, restoration and freedom! It has been a season of choosing to live out 1 Thessalonians 5:18. IN ALL THINGS GIVE THANKS. He is so worthy of my praise.. even in the midst of a storm.”

This adventure of a lifetime has taught me lessons that will forever change my life.

My entire life I have wanted to travel; Africa being my number one destination.

Go figure, God made it happen.

And though there were times when I absolutely hated it, I fell so deeply in love.

You see, hate and love go hand in hand.

Without one, you have neither.

It’s quite wonderful actually.

But, it put so much of my own life into perspective for me.

I was almost “attacked” in Kampala, and my backpack was sliced open.

There were raids all around us.

People have died.

AIDS and Hep C are running rampiant in these three countries, as is malaria.

Bombs go off everyday; especially if Christians are around.

We have been sick, discouraged, and phyical hurt.

We have been stolen from, hushed from speaking the Word, and “held back” in ways.

We have lost our tempers and let our tongues fly at times.

But, through it all, God was gracious and understanding.

You see, we ARE the lucky ones.

Even though Africa is dirty, poverty stricken, and eaten up with illness, God is ever so present.

And we got to watch that hapen.

We prayed healing over the sick.

We spread the Word door to door (even without a translator).

We attended funerals.

We fed street kids.

We cast out demons and spirits.

We ministered and became a family in Christ.

But, most importantly, we brought HOPE.

You see, these few Africans that we did reach now have a light.

And even though it may be a very tiny flame, you would be shocked just how much light it can bring into the darkness.

God may have wrecked our worlds, but in the process he saved their souls.

He opened our hearts to a simpler way of life; a honest and true love.

He opened our eyes to the darkness that the world can be full of.

He challenged us to make a difference.

To be OBEDIENT.

And we accepted.

And even though we will board a plane in 24 hours and head to America,

the challenge isn’t over.

For some, that may mean starting ministry in their home town. Or moving to another part of America to help with prostitution. Or working in Thialand against Human Trafficking. Or starting a campus ministry while they finish up their education. Or they may just need to evangelize and pray over their families and friends…

Only God knows exactly what this plan is. But we have accepted.

We have not only learned how lucky and privelidged we are to be Americans, but we have learned that we live in true freedom.

ETERNAL FREEDOM.

Jesus gave his own life to make sure of that.

And, no matter what your worldly circumstances are, YOU can live this life of freedom too.

Even in a IDP camp or prison in a third world country.

Christ doesn’t descriminate.

How amazing is that?

And He annointed US to spread this GOOD NEWS with as many people as we could.

He told US to be the Prophecies to the Nations.

He has called US to be His HANDS AND FEET.

He has opened our hearts to a whole-hearted love.

A love only God Himself knows.

He has rocked our worlds.

And even though my heart breaks for every street kids I come across, I know that God has a will and a way, and his wings of protection are much stronger than any worldy measure I could ever take.

My heart goes out to those who are dealing with disease or terminal illness, but I know in the end, they will be in Heaven with our wonderful and Almighty Father.

Even though my pillow is tear soaked, my feet dance in joy at the wonders that God has given us.

All of us.

And I am so thankful to be one of the few who truly gets to see it.

It may have taken me traveling half way around the world to appreciate my life, but I accept that.

I am HUMAN.

There are moments in my life that I am not proud of; but they were part of THE plan.

They made me who I am today.

And God is proud of that.

 

I have obeyed, I have taught, I have failed, I have loved, I have learned, I have cried, I have danced, I have sung, I have praised, I have screamed out in agony and despair, I have prayed until I hurt…I have served.

and I will continue to do so.

The journey of a lifetime has just begun.