Back In America

Hey Everyone! We're back. It's incredibly hard for me to believe that three weeks are already over. These past three weeks have been emotional, difficult, incredible, humbling, renewing and transformational all at the same time. I feel as if I am a bucket full of emotions right now, but I really wanted to write what was on my heart. [Sorry, for the girly, emotional stuff to come. :) ]

The last two days of the trip were the hardest for me (at least emotionally). The last night there was especially difficult. I had a lot of time to think about and process the fact that I was leaving Africa, and it hurt more than I was expecting. This is the first time in my life that I have felt truly heartbroken (and it's not over the stereotypical "losing a boyfriend," "not getting into the college I want," "my friend hurting my feelings" thing). I wasn't prepared for this feeling. I knew it would be difficult, just not this difficult. I have loved these people. I have lived life with these people. I've grown accustomed to their customs, laughed with them, hurt and cried for them, danced with them, sang with them, enjoyed them and their country; and in the process of it all I gave them a piece of my heart. I will leave that piece of my heart there with them, and it feels as if it's being ripped out right now. However, I pray that Christ's powerful love is what is left and remembered there with those special people. It's kind of cool because before we left this message kept being reiterated: "God will never leave you." (This is amazing because it was the exact same message we left with the kids each day at Bible camp. I'm guessing we needed to hear the same message.) Something that God spoke to me through this message was that God will never leave these people - obviously. I might leave them for a time, but it's not about me. These people don't need me. They need the love a powerful Saviour and healer. (Gen 31:49 "May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other.")

OK - enough with the emotional stuff. :) Let me tell you a little about the second to last day we were there. This day was special because Kate and I were able to do something a little different than what we had been doing on a regular basis. We went with Home-Based Care to visit some patients who are too sick to leave their homes. They all were struggling with either AIDS or TB, and were in a lot of pain because of it. The visits were short. The care worker would talk with the patient (in Swarti) about how they were doing, give meds if needed, and then Kate and I were allowed to pray for them before we left. It was sad seeing the state some of these people were in, especially because here in the states we just have to be innoculated for TB and we're good to go.

The second half of this day is what really stood out to me. Ma Flo (the main lady at K2) took Kate and I to see a house they're building for two kids who were just recently reunited with their mom. The two children (a boy of about 8 and a girl about 6) had been living with their teenage sister for quite a while. Their mom was an alcoholic and had left the picture pretty soon after the youngest girl was born. Her story is heartbreaking. She would hang out at bars, and the guys would get her drunk enough to take advantage of her. (She doesn't even know who the father of her children is.) As a result, she now has AIDS. The oldest daughter recently had a child of her own, and just moved in with the dad. The two kids had been left without a mother- figure until God miraculously brought her into contact with them again. She's in a lot of pain, and is taking medication to help - but she's with her children! She is also in a house! This family had been on the streets, and thanks to the workers and volunteers in Masoyi they are in a home. The mom feels as if she's a queen in this house, too. This family still needs a lot of healing (more than just physically), but it's neat to see how providing a home for them has already started to heal some of those wounds.

Guys, I cannot even begin to describe all the work we saw God do while we were there. We saw God move in a mighty way. He gave us strength to do what we needed to do day to day, and the grace to get us through the difficult times day to day. Your prayers were powerful. (James 5:16b) We could not have done this without you. It is unbelievable and humbling to think of all the people who were praying for us and the people of Masoyi. I wish I could say more than "thank you." Cindy, Carrie, Kate, and I are so appreciative of the love, support, and encouragement you constantly showed us on this trip. I pray that God continues to bless you, and I know this is only the beginning of what God is doing in me and my heart for Africa. I will be sure to keep you updated!

PS - I wish all of you the best as you're going back to school and starting new jobs! I pray this will be a year full of growth, and that God continues to bless you in a big ways!