30 Days of Gratitude

 A Journal of Gratitude: I’m thankful for…

7/25: Good medical attention in foreign countries. My squad mate was admitted to the hospital the night before for Malaria.

 

7/26: Friends you meet along the journey. Elie, a friend I met during ATL, picked up our clothing from the hospital and had them washed for us.

7/27: Prayer. I found out my Grandma wasn’t doing well and my squadmate and I prayed together. My host and her team from Rwanda, people from Ecuador, and many others were also in the loop and supported me through it all as well. 

7/28: Doctors and nurses and the ability to talk to them about God. I found myself at least 4 times throughout the stay talking with people about the Lord and our walks in life and beliefs.

7/29: Movie theaters. I was able to watch the live action Lion King in 3D in AFRICA!! How cool?!?!

7/30: Cierra. She opened up her home once again (she had done the same thing earlier in our ATL month… just someone we met at church) so my squadmate could recover well.

7/31: A kitchen and fresh vegetables. I spent the day cooking chili and squash soup. Yummm!

 

8/1: Arthur and Robert. Arthur was able to pick me up and take me to worship and Robert brought me home. Again, friends made during ATL. 

8/2: The human body.  We went for my squadmate’s bloodwork. I am reminded of how intricately the body is put together and thankful that God creates us with such detail. 

8/3: Davis-our Uber driver!  He made a special stop so we could pick up our bus tickets, drove us to the bus stop, made sure we were well taken care of and found the right spot, and did not charge us for our ride (because after our conversations he felt that’s what God was telling him to do).

8/4: Grief and Uno. I found out the day before my grandma passed away. To know grief, means you also know what joy is. Uno-a universal card game that got me acquainted to a bunch of the DTS students at the base.

8/5: Worship with drums. We had devotions and worship—there is nothing like lifting your praises to God in songs.  It’s even more fun in Africa with drums!

8/6: Luc. I asked and he recorded the Old Rugged Cross for me because it’s one of the songs that remind me of my grandma.

8/7: Sorting dried peas.  It’s a process, but it allowed for me to hear the testimony of our cook, Boniface.

 

8/8: Technology, family, and friends. I was able to be part of my grandma’s funeral by watching it through my phone. My friend Judah also was “there” for me throughout a lot of the day and checking in. And my family…working so diligently to make sure the technology worked and to show me love even though I’m hundreds of miles away. I couldn’t do life without them.

8/9: Esther, Annastasiah, solitaire, and Rolex. I washed dishes with Esther and learned more about her. I taught Annastasiah how to play solitaire. I helped make chapati and Ugo made all of us who helped a Rolex! 

8/10: Hiking, mountains, God’s creation, and friends! Priska and Elias asked me to go hiking. Ugo was our “guide”. We climbed a mountain and sat at the top looking over part of Kenya. We also saw over 20 giraffes, 30 zebra, and countless gazelle and wildebeests (up close and personal!) I finally got to be reunited with Ashley and got a big hug and lots of conversations!!

 

8/11: Languages, braided hair, and Polaroid cameras. I spent hours with Esther and Annastasiah learning Swahili, taking pictures, and getting my hair braided.

 

8/12: Running and sunrises.  I’m thankful for breath in my lungs, legs that can move, and eyes that can see color so I can witness sunrises.

 

8/13: Kids and camp!!!! We had a successful first day with 9 kids giving their lives to Christ! I held Josephine in my lap during “story time” (I love holding kids!). In our small group we rocked at memorizing the first part of our memory verse, sang songs, shared a Bible story, and played games.

8/14: Matilda, lunch (pea/corn mixture), and reminders from the Father through songs like “Lean Back. Matilda found me-she’s not even in my small group- and clung to me during every time we were in our large group (for 2 of the days!). Lunch was one of my favorite meals I’ve had in Africa. And when we sang Lean Back today I was reminded of our Father’s unending love for us (check out my blog on this experience)

 

8/15: Leading songs at camp and hammock talks!! We sang for over 2 hours (and I was losing my voice) but I was thriving and having so much fun with the kids! Sitting in a hammock and sharing life with Jen: priceless.

 

8/16: Volleyball. Brayan and I found a ball and we peppered for an hour (it felt so good to spike a ball!). This started the day before and became routine for the next few days!

8/17: Sabbath Rest. The ability to just read your Bible, sit in God’s presence, sing songs of praise….nothing better. 

8/18: Sickness, preaching, kindness, feet to walk. I woke up not feeling well, but that means I know what good health is.  I was thankful to hear Kim’s fire sermon and God’s goodness to let me preach even through sickness.  We walked to church and I had good conversations with so many people on the way.  Joshua showed me kindness by carrying my bag. 

 

8/19: Washing dishes, campfires, and s’mores. I cannot tell you the amount of conversations I have had with people while washing dishes. (I was out there a lot…so it was a great opportunity).  Sitting around a campfire with people you have done life with (for the past 8 months or last few weeks) is extraordinary.  It’s even better when you let them experience s’mores for the first time! Oh, and I love roasting marshmallows to a nice golden brown with a gooey center so I was flying high! Also, watching the embers burn…. so thankful.

 

8/20: More kitchen time and more campfires! Cutting up vegetables, peeling potatoes, and learning to make the chapati dough! I can now do the process from start to finish (maybe with a little help!). Getting toasty by a campfire with friends. Enough said.

 

8/21:To be a shoulder to cry on and the ability to have deep conversations with Ashley, Joyce, Kelly, & Brayan. About their lives, future plans, and God. 

 

8/22: YWAM Base (Youth With A Mission). This place has been wonderful for my soul. I’ve gotten back on my rhythm of waking up early (seeing the sun rise), quality time with the Lord, time in the bush to see wildlife up close and personal, preparing and cooking meals, meeting so many people from soooo many walks of life, and friendships I’ll cherish for an eternity. 

 

 

8/23: Tough Goodbyes. It means that you loved well and were loved back well.  

 

   

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever!! Psalms 136:1