praise

We had an Africa team get together yesterday at Jen's house. It was good to see those who came. I have missed them.
Yesterday something amazing happened at church. I was talking to my friend Darla about whether I should go on the March Panama missions trip. I was expressing my concern about whether it was to soon to try to raise support again, especially since I will need to do so later in 08 for Africa again. This friend shocked and stunned me when she proceeded to write a check for the whole amount of the Panama trip and gave it to me saying "you need to go". I still can't believe it. I thanked her over and over again, but words can't express the gratitude for someone who believes in you and what you're doing so much. She believes I'm on the right path and has shown me that she believes. I am so grateful to have people like this in my life. It is such confirmation that this new season in my life is really where I'm supposed to be.
Thank you Jesus for the friends you have given me! I so don't even deserve them, or your grace. I am humbled continually.

some candlelight photos from Africa

while we were having a wonderful outdoor dinner of wildebeast and impala

more Africa photos

Wade took this awesome photo

still sick

So I've had this horrible cough/cold thing pretty much since we got home from Africa ( love ya Wade:) ) and I kept thinking it would go away... well, while I was having lunch with Ronnie today I just about coughed up a lung and she looked at me like I was insane when she asked how long I had let this go on and I told her at least 10 days. So she got me seen at her clinic when we got back from lunch and I'm now on antibiotics, so I should be closer to my normal self by the weekend...

Merry Christmas

to all my friends and family, old and new, here and in Africa. I love you all.

annual Christmas party

thanks goes out to Lesa for taking a few photos for me!

love

food

oops

This shot almost got me arrested. We took this little propeller plane from Joberg to Swazi and Jen and I were shooting photos when the stewardess came to us and informed us that what we were doing was highly illegal and we could be jailed. Yikes! I had forgotten about the strict photo rules in Africa, but she was gracious and let us go with a warning.

one day

It was like 2 or 3 pm , we had just finished our big party for like 3 or 4 thousand kids. I was standing at the back side of this field collecting trash and I stood up and looked out over this valley. I was physically exhausted, wet, dirty, sticky, hungry, dehydrated, dizzy, lonely, a little bit scared, frustrated with people.. but at the same time I had peace and contentment, and I felt like I was right where I was supposed to be; right at the place God wanted me. If only for a moment, I got a glimpse of Africa. It just felt right.
Since I've been home I've been searching for that feeling again, trying to figure out what to do to get it back. I feel weird. I have to find my groove here. I'm kind of walking around in a daze.

beautiful


can you imagine living here?

Swaziland is such a beautiful country

one of the carepoint volunteer cooks

celebrating my birthday in Amsterdam

Wade, at one of the Swaziland malls :)

an African dance team performing for the kids

on the ground in Joberg after a full day of flying..just ever so slightly delirious..

ask Danielle about our hotel fire :)

yeah, I did that to them, but hey, they let me!

don't try this at home..

one of our Christmas parties..


this is John, his church needs $40k for a bus to get people to their church on Sundays, because it's too far for most people to walk..


here's the team after church on Sunday

how do you leave

these kids? At the airport coming home when I watched Patrick (our host) walk out the door to go back to Swaziland and we had to get on the plane, it was heart wrenching for me. I wanted so badly to follow him out that door. I know I have family here at home that need me, but why do I feel that draw? I read on someone else's blog that Africa has that effect on you; you don't want to leave. It's the simplicity, the basics, the serving, the getting your hands dirty, the Africa smell, the beautiful land, the joyful people, the way they sound when they sing, the smiles of the children, the incredible missionaries living there, the non commercial Christmas, driving on the other side of the road, it's wildebeast stew, and the red soil... all these things call to me to come back... and I know I will.. maybe next year?