From fears to fun

I have so many stories to share about my trip to Africa but have been procrastinating a bit.  What am I waiting for?  Well, in some ways I am waiting to see if my photos can be restored from the current state of "corrupted!".  I wanted to be able to share the photos as I share the stories.  A local camera specialist was unable to salvage them and a friend has offered to use his technical expertise and tools to try to recover them.  There were over 400 from the beginning of my trip through most of the Mozambique portion of my travels that I can't get to.  I am not exactly upset about this, although I will be very happy if I could have them.  If I can't get the photos, I will cherish the memories.

Leading up to the trip, there were moments when I was quite fearful.  I knew this was my calling and I wasn't about to turn down the opportunity to serve in Africa, yet there were fears.  I imagined all the things that could happen to me as a single female traveling by myself to some unknown place with unknown people, standing out with my pale skin and light hair.  However, as soon as these thoughts would come, I would pray to God and find scriptures that promised His protection.  I would go back to what I knew to be true- God placed this in my heart, God is GOOD and He would not call me to something for my destruction so I pressed on.

I wrote earlier about the South Africa ordeal.  What started out as something I was afraid of ended up being such a huge blessing.  The family I got connected with came to pick me up at the hotel.  I got to spend time with them at their home, which was so lovely.  I especially loved that the home had doors from the living room which opened up to the patio and beautiful yard.  They cooked a traditional meal for me- chicken, sausage, sudsa, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, onions and a delicious relish of onions and tomatoes.  It was absolutely delicious and little did I know at the time, but the best meal I would have for quite a while.  The two girls were beautiful and oh so sweet!  The oldest girl had been born in Seattle but was so young she doesn't remember it.  She was so curious to know who this person coming to visit her from Seattle was and what Seattle is like.  We talked a lot about the city and agreed she would have to travel there someday.  She would absolutely love it.

I loved hearing about how the couple met in Zimbabwe, made their way to Seattle and then back to Johannesburg.  The faithfulness of this family to each other and to God was evident.  They were curious about my journey and listened with love and warmth.  Before we departed, they prayed over me.  Do you know what a privilege and gift it is to receive prayer?  I mean, is there a better, more valuable gift, truly?  I wasn't expecting to receive their prayers and I was just amazed at their words as they called out to the Father and Protector, to God.  I was encouraged, truly filled with courage and great expectations as we ended our time together.

I prepared to fly out the next day and smiled at God's provision.  The thing I was so worried about turned out to be such a rich, fulfilling and FUN experience.

Thank you to the beautiful family who filled my heart at the beginning of the journey.  Love and blessings to you and your precious girls!