All weekend I have been driving around in my little air conditioned car listening to my Ipod through the stereo and focused on my destination, or should I say destinations. It has been a busy weekend, attending a brother’s wedding, meeting someone I’m heading to Africa with, and catching up with other friends that live in the area. To me Dallas/Ft Worth is just that, an area. I was determined to see any of my friends that lived in the area. Luckily it all worked out pretty well in that I didn’t have to drive across the metroplex (a conglomoration of cities where you can’t tell where one ends and another begins) each time.
Then as I was heading to an appointment Monday morning it hit me. I’m going to Africa soon. My world is about to change drastically, if even for a year. The freedoms I have been used to won’t be there. I’m not going to be going out alone, ever, driving will most definitely be limited, our fast foods, drive throughs and the like aren’t going to be there. And I’m okay with that. Maybe slowing life down a bit will be good for me.
The kids found out that when they rubbed the balloons in my hair it stuck to them…
How do I not fall in love with these precious children?
If there is a such thing as pre-culture shock, I think I might have it. Sure I’ve been to Africa, twice now. But I’m going to live there for a year. It’s not that I’m struggling with being away from home or scared that I’m going to be in a different country, been there, done that. But this is the country that I have tried to get to many times before. This is the country that I have tried twice to stay for 9 months. This is the country I AM IN LOVE WITH. And I am finally going…for a year! It’s a lot for my little mind to take in. The long anticipated moment of me going to Africa was well worth the wait. God has used the previous years when I wasn’t ready, to prepare me for this moment. For such a time as this. And I’m excited and nervous and scared all at that same time. Each day that passes by is a day closer till I’m home (although Texas will always be “Home”). But for now I continue living for the day, obeying, or trying to obey, those things God has called me to for that moment.
I’m so very proud of you, Is! And I can’t wait to see all that God has in store for you and the many ways which He will continue to work in you and through you. Love you!