From Africa to the Moon and Back

About a month before I came to Africa I experienced the most intimate moment with the Lord during a drive back to my apartment. I was coming home from a Wesley service on a Wednesday night where we had experienced an awesome worship session. Wesley is a ministry through the University of Georgia that acts as a launching pad for missions oriented leadership.

I was listening to one of my favorite worship songs and driving by myself, reminiscing on the year that had passed. I remember I was coming up to a bridge I always go under on the way back home and looking up at the rich dark night sky. It was the clearest night I had ever seen, the stars were immaculate and the breeze coming in through my window was so refreshing and freeing. Right after I went under the bridge I looked up again and saw the moon. It was absolutely gorgeous. The glow coming from it showed every crater and highlighted the enormity to its existence. It was such a beautiful depiction of fullness and serenity.

In a split second I remember I was bawling my eyes out. It hit me like a ton of bricks. The Spirit just completely overwhelmed me in that moment. It was the first time I had realized the severity of my existence in relationship to God’s existence. Just like the moon is present and consistent every night and strikes such awe throughout all of nature, the Lord brings even more awe and consistency through his relationship with us. He stands outside of time. And no matter where I am in the world, I can always look up and see the moon at night. It has been since the beginning of time and will always be as long as the universe exists. How can I even fathom the Lord’s reign and rule over me and all of time in comparison to that? How holy He is.

In that moment the Lord gave me a promise, He said, “Anna, wherever you are in this world…wherever I call you…whether it’s to Africa or to India, I will always be with you and in you. You will never feel alone or empty. You will always have purpose knowing that I have brought you there. I am with you.”

This realization hit me again last night when we were driving out of Kampala, Uganda. I was looking out of the window from our taxi and noticed the moon. It was perfectly placed in the night sky with the same intensity as before. Now that we have been through every country that was guaranteed through this trip, I can whole-heartedly say the Lord has kept his promise. He has been with me in Kenya, He has been with me in Uganda, and now He has been with me through Rwanda. Through every conversation I have had with every person, He has brought me words. In every moment where I have felt defeated or without hope or guidance, He has been my rock and comfort. Within every song that has escaped my lips in worship, He has remained my inspiration and motivation. He has brought me life and love through every circumstance in Africa and He has paved a way for every person on my team to enter into the most intimate relationship with Him. He is a man of His word and He will never leave me or forsake me. What a gentleman. What a man after my own heart. How much does He love me!!

And now I am looking back at our time here in Rwanda and Africa as a whole. We touched the many young lives of children in Kigali at Success Full Christian Ministries School and our hearts are attached to theirs. We have preached at churches where even though translation was the strongest barrier, the word of God spoke life into a congregation. We stayed with an amazing family whose mother and father are pastors in Kigali and hosted us with such hospitality. Our time in Rwanda brought so much vulnerability to our team and allowed us to grow in honesty and humility. Since it was the closest to civilization and the United States that we had come to, our true selves and attitudes were beginning to show. The smallest things were getting on our nerves and the effort behind unity was more strained. But it has brought us to the heart of God. Being honest with each other and allowing ourselves to be led by the Spirit even more has created an even stronger bond among all of us. It has been preparing us for home and the transition that is already taking place.

So I look back and I see a journey that brings glory to our King. I see fulfilled promises and life from ashes. I see a body of Christ that will forever stay strong. I see the replicate of the heart of God and the passion to serve worldwide. And I know that there is a story out there that is waiting for me. The Lord knows the beginning, middle, and end. He wrote it. He has called me out upon the waters, where my trust is without borders. He is not finished with me yet. I know my heart is set to serve over seas and I am just waiting to hear His call. Africa is a part of my story, and may even be the biggest, but either way I know the Lord will be with me. He was, is, and always will be.