would like to share with you some information I gathered from each
member of my team (expedition 3). I asked my teammates to consider one
thing they loved about each country that we have been to as well as an
overall statement to summarize their experience here in Africa. There
was a little hesitation with the overall statement because it was such a
general question so allow me to elaborate on my request..
Overall
statement- What has God been teaching you? How have you grown? What
would you say to God if you were standing in front of Him? What do you
think about Africa as a whole? Have you changed
spiritually/mentally/physically? Let’s say a potential AIM participant
was reading this blog, what would you say to them?
These are the answers I received..
Claire Swarts: Uganda “In Kwapa, I loved the children that surrounded the house and constantly played with us.”
Kenya “I loved the Maasai people and their beautiful colors.. As well as everything in Kenya.”
Tanzania “I love the tropical scenery.” Overall “Praise God. Amen.”
Lizzie Burks: Uganda “The way the Lord spoke to me.”
Kenya “The stars!”
Tanzania- “The beauty that is Bryson.”
Overall-
“We all have a past. It doesn’t matter where we’ve Ben or what we’ve
done. One things remains the same: His grace is enough.”
Michelle Cocchimiglio: Uganda- “Getting to know Hasheem.”
Kenya- “Falling in love with Mika and being able to share the love of God with him.”
Tanzania- “Seeing God mold each person as He wants them to be as they go home.”
Overall- “I’ve learned that it’s okay to let God radically change and transform you.”
Melody Brewer: Uganda- “The hospitality and genuine hearts of each person we encouraged.”
Kenya- “The vibrance and spirits that were so alive.”
Tanzania- “That God created me exactly for this country.”
Overall-
“God is faithful. In America. In the day, in the night. In the heat, in
the cold. In the hurting, in the healing. In the weeping, in the
rejoicing. He is faithful. Always faithful.”
Jeremy Colquhoun: Uganda- “Meeting different people and having crazy experiences sharing Christ’s love.”
Kenya- “Stole my heart.”
Tanzania- “Beauty in the broken..”
Overall- “I’ve learned that it’s okay to be broken because through that I’ve found the strength of God rather than my own.”
Drayton Garrett: Uganda- “The passion and hearts of the people.”
Kenya- “Being real, being dirty and building relationships.”
Tanzania- “The beautiful brown eyes of the children around me.”
Overall- “God has taught me that I have a decision to make and I have decided to follow Jesus. There is no turning back.”
Kendra White: Uganda “FRANCIS!!!”
Kenya- “ZEBRAS!!!”
Tanzania- “HOT SHOWERS!!!”
Overall- “My God is able.” (insert African accent)
Melissa White: Uganda- “I loved the mamas and building a relationship with Hasheem.”
Kenya- “I love the wildlife!”
Tanzania- “I love all the children at the school and the orphanage (especially Ester) :).”
Overall-
“I’ve learned that even if your plan does not work out the way you want
them to, God always has the best plan in mind for you.”
Daniel Chantlos: Uganda- “It was amazing to see God breaking down walls week one.”
Kenya- “I love being out in the middle of no where. It seems so much easier to see God move.”
Tanzania- “I love this place. It feels like home.”
Overall- “Megan has been a pain in the butt the whole time but I still love her.”
Meganlee
Esposito: Uganda- “I love that I will always remember Uganda as the
place where God shattered my world in a way I never thought possible.”
Kenya-
“being stripped of all modern day distractions for the 4 weeks while we
lived in the bush allowed me to, not only hear God’s voice so clearly,
but it also gave me the opportunity to appreciate the finger of God and
the creativity that entails. Have you ever seen an ostrich? They’re the
definition of creative maker.”
Tanzania- “We are in the presence of
angels. From the beautiful, playful children we encounter during
ministry to the mind blowing God moments that leave us in Awe. There an
angels among us and I love it.”
Overall- “Grazie, Signore.”
big thank you to my amazing teammates for putting up with me and loving
me through all the craziness of writing this blog. I love that I was
able to speak to each of you one-on-one and hear about what God has done
in your lives over the last few months. The light of Christ shines
through everyone of you. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of
people to laugh, cry, worship, dance and love with. God had His hand in
the making of this team and for that, I am so thankful. I love you all
so much!
