Africa Update #1

HIBARI WAZUNGU! (It means "How are you, foreigners!")

(These are a few of my journal entries...I'm on a time crunch so it'll be quick!)

June 1 - 9:30 AM
The smell that brings me back to Africa a year ago already permeates this airplane. I've been teetering between excitement and apathy all throughout the preparation for this trip, but regardless I am thankful for this opportunity to return and be used once again by God. I think my role for Team Africa has changed dramatically from last year. As I think about how God wants to use me on this trip, my mind returns to the students traveling with us. I feel called not so much to the people of Africa as much as the girls on the team. And the more I think about it, I think God is preparing me for my future as a small group leader at Berkeley next year. I'm a little anxious and don't really know how to approach these students, so I pray that YOU would be my mouthpiece God, and like Moses and Aaron in Exodus, YOU would speak to and through me.

June 3 - 7:35 AM
Sight:
- dry, thirsty land
- crowds of people congregated on the sides of the street, nowhere to go, nothing to do, hungry for food, a home, and a place to belong

Smell:
- exhaust
- smoke from the piles of burned rubbish scattered all throughout the streets, "sidewalks," and ....everywhere.
- body odor of people who have more important things to care about
- dust. everywhere. breathe it in, guys, there's nothing like it!

Taste:
- fish and chicken curry, peppered beef steak, rice, ugali, chipatis, boiled vegetables
- blessings from God

Touch:
- a hard, stiff bed
- shuttle window, constantly opening to let fresh air in and closing to stop the dust from entering our eyes and nostrils

Hear:
- honking of impatient horns
- laughter
- joyful kiswahili conversations
- hillsong, christ tomlin, and all things christian music sounding
- a car alarm at 6 AM...or muslim call to prayer?




Keep praying for us!
- One thing that has been on my mind is unity. This team seems to be a little cliquish, even though there are only 13 of us.
- Safety, spiritually and physically. We have been hearing stories about demon possessions in Maasai land, so pray that our hearts and minds would be on guard.
- that we focus on Jesus! and experience joy and laughter through Him
- we can see more of the world through our brothers and sisters' hearts here in Africa, and through that, we may gain a broader picture of God's hearts for us and the world.


AH! I'm out of time. But be blessed, and we are sososososo thankful that you are taking this adventure along with us. Bwana asifiwe!