Africa Update 1

Hello from South Africa!

I'm sitting here on my bed in the bed and breakfast I will be staying in while I am here. It's rather gorgeous here. In South Africa. You know, where I live for two months. What the heck?!

It's been a little crazy getting here. Jessica, my mom, and I flew to New York and then had an 11 hour layover in JFK. I do NOT recommend that. Sorry JFK, but you're miserable.

Jessica and I then continued to Dubai with a twelve and a half hour flight. Dear heavens. We then had one more flight to Durban, which was only eight hours. Only.

When thinking about coming here, I had a lot of fears and presumptions about what my feelings and reactions to things would be. I assumed that I would cry when I got off the plane, being overwhelmed with the emotions of being in Africa. I was overwhelmed, all right.

By the 350 people in line for passport stamps.

When we walked through and saw Pr. Greg, the only thing I could think of was a bed. I didn't cry. I was happy, but I didn't cry. And then when we did ministry, I assumed I would fall in love with the people of Durban.

Ok, that was correct. I love them. I am already sad that I am only staying for two months. (Although I'm sure we'll revisit those feelings later.)

We visited a secondary school (like a high school) and a foundations school (Pre-K through second grade) and all of those beautiful children stole my heart. I'd like to put them all in my suitcase, but something tells me customs wouldn't see things my way.

And then I realized my largest source of nerves: the church.

I love my church. New Hope has been my home for 10 years, and the thought of going to something completely unfamiliar was a hard thought to bear. Leaving my spirit-filled, crazy people made me so nervous. So last night we had our first service. And dear heavens were my fears unfounded.

I felt like I was home. God spoke to my heart and let me know that He had guided every step of my way, and no way was He going to make go to a church whose heart didn't beat in rhythm to His. We sang "Break every chain" (CC I obviously thought of you!) and Holy Spirit was so powerful. There was a moment that Pr. Greg called everyone down front who wanted their chains broken and I stood in a place of freedom, but feeling like I should go down. God spoke to my heart and said "it doesn't matter if you're free, they're not. And either these people are your church whom you will fight alongside for two months or they're not."

So I got my butt to the front. And the moment I stepped up there I realized that these are the people I have been praying for, for a year and a half. The people at the altar had consumed my thoughts for the past year and a half, and I was literally standing in the promises of God.

And then the tears came.