Friday night I went up to the university to attend a ladies b*ble study, only this week I was leading. They had been going thru the women of the b*ble and had asked me to do the life of Mary, mother of Je$us after His birth. Well unfortunately the B*ble doesn't give us a whole lot about her. So I began digging and low and behold, she gives us some examples to live by. I talked about humility,faith and service. Over time I began sharing things from my own life where I had to practice being humble, one recent experience in particular from Zambia. Im not going to tell the story, but basically flesh and spirit were at war, and thankfully spirit won, this led to discussion on what is the definition of gossip.... hmmm.... touchy subject I found out... These girls are solid, great new friends of mine, and Im so blessed that they would let me in their group!
I've been reading in my spare time, " Loving God with all your mind," by Elizabeth George. "By determining to be the best we can be wherever we are, you and I can also bloom where we are planted. So where has God 'planted' you? Are you a missionary in Africa (why yes!) living in a mud hut or a widow roaming thru a partial empty home? Wherever God puts you He has a purpose. Whatever the situation it is an opportunity to " go on" and bear fruit for His kingdom. However difficult the circumstances, He will enable you to accomplish something for Him as you look to Him and focus on being useful to Him and others."
Hmmm..... more matter how difficult the circumstance, no matter how bad traffic gets, no matter how bad I am at swahili that day, no matter now homesick I get.... no matter what He is with me, pushing me, holding my hand.
Jun 19, 2011
Jun 14, 2011
Some may come and go
The life of a m*ssion@ry is very transient. This is my lesson as of late. I live on the compound where guest housing is available to those passing thru who works for some type of mi$$ion agency. I meet many of them, and even grow attached to some, as if they lived here all the time. Not to mention those who go on stateside or retire. This week marks 2 months in Africa and 5 months of my employment. I can hardly say that I’m not feeling so “wide eyed” but I am settling in. It’s funny how G*d has a way of doing things. I was really finding myself terrified to drive much less go anywhere. Hermit is not in my vocabulary but here I was being one. Luckily, G*d placed some guest here in the city I would become friends with and have to get out and drive around. I am defiantly a lot more comfortable, and learning my way around lately. Some of these friends will be back due to the nature of their work, but some will not.
"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers,
for by so doing some people have shown hospitality
to angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2
Driving really has been my greatest challenge. I never knew I could get so “queasy” over something I once loved to do in the states. I am getting over that “queasy” feeling, but it still comes back time and time again.
Language has been challenging. Some days I find myself bored out of my mind, some I just want to cry, and some I like it. I am pr@ying G*d gives me the strength to love the people enough to want to learn the language.
Another "Ah-ha!" moment happened this morning during my quiet time. Romans 12:17 " Repay no one evil with evil but give thought to what is honorable in the sight of all." This reminds me of the story in 1 Samuel of David and Saul. David spares Sauls life not once but twice when he had prime opportunity to kill him. But when G*d tests him with Nabal's nasty attitude, what does he do?! He wants revenge! I saw the new X men : first class last night with some of my transient friends and got to thinking about that along with David's story. Magneto wanted revenge so badly he was willing to hurt his friends to get it. In the end he becomes the bad guy for the rest of the Xmen series. Evil took him over, he let it. David wanted revenge, but thankfully Abigail stepped over social norms and barriers to intervene and it paid off for everyone in the end. G*d did justice in His eyes ( 1 Samuel 25:37)
"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers,
for by so doing some people have shown hospitality
to angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2
Driving really has been my greatest challenge. I never knew I could get so “queasy” over something I once loved to do in the states. I am getting over that “queasy” feeling, but it still comes back time and time again.
Language has been challenging. Some days I find myself bored out of my mind, some I just want to cry, and some I like it. I am pr@ying G*d gives me the strength to love the people enough to want to learn the language.
Another "Ah-ha!" moment happened this morning during my quiet time. Romans 12:17 " Repay no one evil with evil but give thought to what is honorable in the sight of all." This reminds me of the story in 1 Samuel of David and Saul. David spares Sauls life not once but twice when he had prime opportunity to kill him. But when G*d tests him with Nabal's nasty attitude, what does he do?! He wants revenge! I saw the new X men : first class last night with some of my transient friends and got to thinking about that along with David's story. Magneto wanted revenge so badly he was willing to hurt his friends to get it. In the end he becomes the bad guy for the rest of the Xmen series. Evil took him over, he let it. David wanted revenge, but thankfully Abigail stepped over social norms and barriers to intervene and it paid off for everyone in the end. G*d did justice in His eyes ( 1 Samuel 25:37)
Jun 5, 2011
Language Week 1
Mambo!
You would answer with Poa! or if you wanna sound really cool say shawari! Haha! Little did I know I was in for the ride of my life this week. I was drowning in a vocabulary of new words and sounds I didnt know my mouth needed to make. My language teacher is named Grace. She comes to my house 5 days a week for about 3 1/2 hours in the morning. Then I am left on my own to do my homework and study the rest of the day. I am so exhausted each night. I found myself barely leaving the house last week. My teacher is a single woman, 35 in Tanzania this is a horrible thing. She is very ridiculed by her family for not being married much less not having a child. We began talking about spiritual things this week and she wants to know more about how to grow deeper in her faith, especially reading the bible. So i gave her some homework to do and we are going to discuss it tomorrow. :)
I also got to move in this week! It was so fun finally getting out of living in a suitcase and hanging up my things and feeling finally settled. The apartment is very nice, still has a few kinks to be worked on but overall its done. I went to a church today that meets on the university campus. I was greeted by an english couple that works on campus and helps in leading the service. Since there has been some like me before they were pleased to know more of us were coming to work at the campus. They were so welcoming! I was even invited to attend a ladies bible study that meets on Friday nights. This is great, I am starving for friends, and I get to know some students while I am at it. Due to being in language we dont get involved with "ministry" just yet, but I feel like this is a good way to get my foot in the door.
My driving skills are improving. Each time I go out, I get better. I still have a lot to learn about my way around though. This city is crazy! Thanks for all your prayers, if your interested in seeing my new home copy the link below!
http://vimeo.com/24683963
You would answer with Poa! or if you wanna sound really cool say shawari! Haha! Little did I know I was in for the ride of my life this week. I was drowning in a vocabulary of new words and sounds I didnt know my mouth needed to make. My language teacher is named Grace. She comes to my house 5 days a week for about 3 1/2 hours in the morning. Then I am left on my own to do my homework and study the rest of the day. I am so exhausted each night. I found myself barely leaving the house last week. My teacher is a single woman, 35 in Tanzania this is a horrible thing. She is very ridiculed by her family for not being married much less not having a child. We began talking about spiritual things this week and she wants to know more about how to grow deeper in her faith, especially reading the bible. So i gave her some homework to do and we are going to discuss it tomorrow. :)
I also got to move in this week! It was so fun finally getting out of living in a suitcase and hanging up my things and feeling finally settled. The apartment is very nice, still has a few kinks to be worked on but overall its done. I went to a church today that meets on the university campus. I was greeted by an english couple that works on campus and helps in leading the service. Since there has been some like me before they were pleased to know more of us were coming to work at the campus. They were so welcoming! I was even invited to attend a ladies bible study that meets on Friday nights. This is great, I am starving for friends, and I get to know some students while I am at it. Due to being in language we dont get involved with "ministry" just yet, but I feel like this is a good way to get my foot in the door.
My driving skills are improving. Each time I go out, I get better. I still have a lot to learn about my way around though. This city is crazy! Thanks for all your prayers, if your interested in seeing my new home copy the link below!
http://vimeo.com/24683963
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