Arriving in Africa!!

Hi Everyone- I made it.  Our team made it to Lusaka delirious but safe and sound. I love you all. This trip has already opened my eyes to so many things. It still feels like I am dream. I have been praying for an opportunity to go to Africa for over 2 years now. I woke up this morning to birds chirping as the sun rose and enjoyed a hot cup of coffee and fresh toast with homemade guava jelly.


The Traveling Adventure
45 hours of travel and three planes later we drove into the base and most of us went straight to bed. We lived off airline food and a few hours of sleep here and there during our adventure over here. We stopped over in Paris for ten hours and took a quick jaunt through paris. We saw the Eiffel Tower, Notredame, and enjoyed lunch in a little cafe on one of the streets. Overall the sights were beautiful but I was unimpressed with France. They are not the biggest fans of Americans. Then we got on a red eye to Ethiopia and enjoyed more packaged food and some sleep. The unisom came in handy that flight. I dont remember much of it. Other than the flight attendant trying to wake me for breakfast. Most of us could not keep our eyes open as we drove through the city of Lusaka. The airport was about an hour away from the YWAM base. I do not remember much of that drive either. We were introduced to the students and families on the base when we arrived. They were so excited and all I wanted to do was pass out on anything flat. They showed us to our dorms. I set up my mosquito net ( which made me feel like I was four and a princess, so great!) climbed into bed with my sleep mask and the clothes I had been wearing since saturday. It was something. But I have never slept so well in my life. 

Today (June 8th 2010)
This morning I woke up fully rested and ready to go. We took a rest day today and stayed on the base to settle into Zambian culture. This morning I had wonderful Jesus time. My wrist has not gotten better but this morning I was shown why. I do not ever stop or slow down. I do not sit or practice silence much. This morning after breakfast I went up on a hill on the property to pray and journal and chill with the lord. I could not write at all. God whispered, " Be still and know that I am God." So I took everything in my hands and set it down next to me. As I did I started to listen to the lord. Who knew shutting up every now and then works? I felt the presence of god all around me and it finally hit me that I was living out one of my biggest dreams. Something I had given up on along time ago. Praise the lord. He spoke to me about all sorts of stuff and about the weird dreams I have been having. After that  I went back into the kitchen with my Ipod and my tea and slowly journaled. I can do alot  but If i go slow I can. The funny thing is its giving God more opportunities to speak to me. I love it. 

The people here are amazing. We are like movie stars. So basically anywhere we go we create a scene. Some men propose others just want to talk with us. The children are amazing. The one baby on base has already captured my heart. She and I had bonding time this morning. I was in heaven. Things down here are alot different than I expected. The street kids are worse off than I imagined even though the city is filled with well off people. We are going to the orphanage for the first time tomorrow. I cannot wait. I had forgotten how much I love working with kids. Being in Africa feels like I am home for the very first time. Their unscheduled relaxed culture fits my personality. We have a garden and chicken coop that we eat from everyday. Fresh tomatoes, carrots, oranges, squash, papaya, egg plant, eggs, chicken, lettuce, onions. It shows me my interest in Agriculture still remains.  


I love you all and I know that God is going to create Beauty from the ashes this month. He has already started clean up and fertilization. I will not come home the same. But I am just perfectly fine with that.


If you would just pray for our meeting with the kids tomorrow and that the lord would continue to meet us where we go and minister. Also for a heightened discernment on how to minister to the people around us.


Until Sunday...
God Bless you