A long time coming

It's been a year. One to be exact and oh how things have changed! I've learned a lot and have grown more than I thought I would in such a short time. 

To see the Lords work in my life over this last year is truly a humbling feeling. (Im going to be as transparent as I can be). A lot of people asked me why I never finished my blog. I actually tried to a couple of times but was always at a loss for words.  It was hard when I came back from Africa, really hard. I was depressed for a while and didn't know how to explain or handle everything I had experienced both internally and externally. I saw a lot. I was frustrated. I knew The Lord did something in me and I didn't know how to quite vocalize how I was feeling with people. I also knew that I was in transition for something that was yet to come. I was unhappy with work when I returned and a lot of other things for that matter. Africa opened my eyes. Yeah,  it made me appreciate things differently but it did something more than that. I don't have any remarkable answers or profound words. Except, who really knows why The Lord works the way He does? I still don't have all the answers and I most likely never will. Those last couple of weeks in Africa are some that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. It truly was a life changing experience. 

Anyway! Fast forward 7 months and I'm just 4 months shy of moving to Maui for 3 months. Umm...what?! Craziness you might say? Again, God requests some wonderfully crazy things and its our job to say yes and go. ( Hmm, I wonder if He knows I have a taste for adventure? ;) Of course I questioned Him, I am human. But after some thought and prayer, I said yes.  And once again, August is the month ill make the move. (I'm starting to think that maybe He likes the month of August?) ;)

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

This will be my last post for this blog. Once I get things in order, I'll start a new one and will update every one on what ill be doing in Maui. Until next time, kids. :)

Life in Zim...Day 3-7

Day 3-4: VBS Begins!

Today was the first day of VBS with the Portland team. I met a lot more of the kids from the farm and older kids as well. Some were timid at first, but it didn't take very long for them to warm up and come out of their shells. Let me start by saying how beautiful the grounds are. There are guava trees, mango trees, and a ton of other trees that I couldn't name. Oh and did I mention that this was given to them for FREE? Another testament on how the Lord has provided for this ministry. I met more people from the Portland team and started building relationships with some of them as well. We jumped right into VBS and boy, were the kids loving it. It was neat to see all their smiling faces and their sweet little laughs. Kids are still kids though, no matter where you are. There were tears from some of the losing teams, some whining, and a little attitude. However, like I said, kids are kids. It was kind of refreshing in a weird way. Ha..! When VBS was over, we hung around and I got to know some of the older girls. I heard some of their stories on why they are there. It was such a testament to me on Gods mercy, love, and grace. We had some "girl talk" ...typical girl things, it was fun. I even began teaching them some Spanish! These girls are ridiculously smart. I was amazed at how fast they were picking it up. I think I've started something though... They had me make lists of some basic words and were instantly practicing with one another. I'd walk away, then as soon as they saw me again, they'd be like, "hola!" or "buenos dias!"...it was so fun! We had a big dinner that night with the entire team. It was great fellowship and I got to share my story on why I'm here. We prayed, we laughed, and we ate. It was the perfect end to a fun filled day. It was also the first day I didn't cry and that day we also saw giraffes and zebras while driving down the road. Definitely a day for the books.

Day 5: Miracles In Broken Cars

I finally was able to sleep through the night. What a difference a little sleep can do. Tonya and Casey had a meeting to attend to, so I went to VBS with Irene, pastors wife, and some of the kids. On the way there, her car broke down. People were honking as they passed and some were staring at me...(This happens a lot. It's weird being a minority) ... We were probably there for about 45 minutes until a man named Mike stopped to help us. I was praying for the car to start and Miriam was praying for a miracle. We had some people push us as Mike somehow jumpstarted the car (The car is stick, I guess it's an old trick). I got my prayer answered. What I'm about to say next is proof on how simple minded we are and how MIGHTY our God is. Pastor Mutatu ended up meeting us with a friend and brought a different car for us. Mike introduced himself to Pastor and then Irene jumped in and they began speaking in Shona. I asked Miriam for a translation and (are you ready!?) Mike, the man who helped us is a doctor. Pastor told him about his ministry and about all the orphans. They swapped numbers and Doctor Mike told Pastor that anytime any of the children get sick, to call him and he would come and care for them. God moment! Miriam got her miracle and I got my prayer answered way beyond my expectations. That's how God works, and I'm constantly in awe of Him. We made it to VBS only 30 minutes late. VBS was conducted as usual. We sing songs in the beginning, go over the memory verse, then break off into groups... Big kids, middles, and the littles. We rotate every 30 minutes to different stations: games, arts & crafts, and scripture. Then we all meet up again, sing some more, and then it's free play. While talking to some of the Portland team, we is discovered that a lot of them are getting sick. Pastor Mutatu, Irene, Sammie, David, Tonya, Casey, the kids, and some of the aunties have also battled sickness. The Portland team, and the 3 of us, all gathered in a circle, held hands, and prayed. There has been a lot of spiritual warfare here and lately, I've been seeing it and learning about it. We know we are protected and being covered in prayer by people back home. We also know that God will use this for the glory of His kingdom and that Jesus will overcome today, tomorrow, forever!

Day 6:

Today I want to share one thing; The Lord is up to something BIG. While the kids were playing at VBS, I was talking to Pastor Mike (missions pastor from Solid Rock in Portland)...one of the guys from the Portland team asked me what church I go to. I told him I went to Rock Harbor not expecting that they have heard of it. As soon as the words left my mouth, their mouths dropped and they seemed like they were in a bit of shock. As it turns out, their church, Solid Rock, is the closest thing to being sister churches with my church, Rock Harbor. I was shocked! They started naming some of the pastors I know and they knew Mike Erre, my favorite pastor who left Rock Harbor a few years back. We talked a bit more about it and I left with so many questions. Questions for God. Pastor Mutatu is calling it the 'August Movement'. In that moment, I knew God is up to something so much BIGGER than anything I can possibly imagine. I'm itching to know what it is, but, I know that I can't have the answers to everything, and He will show us in HIS perfect timing. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want them now. It's really exciting to know that He has each one of us here for His purpose and in that, I get peace.

Day 7:

Today was the last day of VBS. Looking back on these last few days, I'm in such awe of everything I've seen and experienced. I've learned so much these last 7 days. I'm getting more and more sensitive to His spirit. I'm also learning a lot by the example of people and how they live out the gospel in everything they do. I've learned what I take for granted and what a huge blessing it is to live in a country that has everything. Showers, hot water, washing machines, electricity that doesn't shut off randomly, a bathroom IN your home, clean water to drink... As I look around, I see such poverty, people trying to make a dollar wherever they can, people trying to provide for their families. My grandfather, for example, was born and raised in Cuba. My whole life he's told me how life was in Cuba, how poor and communist it was and still is. The things he went through, the things he didn't have. How he came to America with my grandmother and my mother. Everything he had to do to provide for his family, starting completely from scratch. Being here, in Africa, reminds me a lot of the hardships my grandfather endured in Cuba. Hearing it and seeing it are two entirely different things. I get emotional about it now because I finally realize everything he had to do to provide for his family, me included. I would not be here today if he hadn't. That is a huge revelation for me.The Lords hand has been on this since way back then. And here I sit, in Africa, realizing and fully understanding for the very first time, how truly blessed I am.

I have arrived!

(Please over-see all of my typos, I didn't have much time to proof read or spell check) :)

Day 1:

I’m going to try to be as detailed as I can on everything I have experienced in these last couple days. I’m going to try to be completely open and honest about the way I feel, and the things I’ve seen. I already feel His spirit stirring inside me in this short amount of time that I have been here. 

Ok! The flight from Dubai to Zambia wasn't that bad. We had to fuel up and let some new passengers board and then we were off to Zimbabwe! (Which was only about a 40 minute flight and it went by really fast) Upon descending into Harare, I saw the sun setting in the distance over a hazy sky. That's when it hit me. I’m in Africa! Oh my gosh. Then the nerves came. I wasn't really nervous throughout my travels until i was landing here in Harare. I prayed for peace and tried to be strong as I went to get my visa. I waited in a long line to pay the $30 only to find out that I had to fill out some paper work and then get back in line. I was ready to look for the paper, which they had just piles of on a desk, when the electricity went out. I knew the electricity comes and goes here, but, I didn't think it would happen so soon. I laughed and thought to myself, of course this would happen right as I was ready to fill out the immigration form. Thank goodness I brought my cell phone last minute to use as a clock! I grabbed it, went to the camera app, and used the flash! I quickly filled it out and got back in line. The electricity came on, everyone clapped, then went off, and everyone sighed. Anyway, I got my visa and waited for my bags. Only problem was the electricity was still out and the conveyor belt wasn't working. Workers had to bring them up by hand! Thankfully, the electricity came on, I got my 3 large bags, and was heading to customs. I prayed that they wouldn't check my bags and let me pass. A women from customs stopped me and firmly said, “ run your bags mam!” I panicked, prayed, and did what she said. A girl I met on the plane warned me that they may check them and told me to speak Spanish. Haha. I thought about it for a second, thinking that I could play the I don't speak English card. I decided against it, did what I was told, and thank the Lord they let me through without a second glance. My emotions were at a high at this point. Anxious to meet up with my friends and thankful that all of the traveling and things were over. There were a ton of people waiting outside, it was dark, and I was searching for my friends. I stood under a light hoping they would see me. There were people singing in Shona, (Zimbabwe's native language), others were hugging. There I stood. Wide-eyed and waiting. The minute I saw Tonya I burst into tears. We hugged each other as I sobbed. Half laughing at everything, half ugly cry and just relieved to see a familiar face. Along with Tonya, her husband Casey (who I just met. S crazy), Pastor Mutatu, his wife, Irene, and there 8 year old daughter Ruthie. They each welcomed me with open arms and sweet little Ruthie wouldn’t let me go. She sat on my lap the whole way home and even fell asleep on me, while clenching my arm. We arrived to the Mutatu home where I met the rest of the Mutatus kids. David, who is 17, Mirium, who I believe is 15 maybe 16, and Sammy, there cute 8 month old. I also met their friend Alice. We prayed, we ate a meal consisting of white rice, chicken, beans, and cabbage. Then we had tea. They drink tea every night. Then we had a time for prayer. They began to sing the most beautiful song I have ever heard. It was all in Shona but there was something about the way they sang, with such certainty and faith, it moved me to tears. Pastor translated for us and its about Jesus being our rock, and how He is the SAME yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We then prayed aloud, each of us going at the same time. That was a first for me. I was timid and just listened and prayed quietly 

to myself. Asking God to give me spiritual boldness and for Him to direct my steps while I’m here. We all hung around for a while, watching the Olympics. Tonya and I chatted and she filled me in on life here and she then showed me around a bit. We are staying in the city at the Mutatu home for the next week or so. She showed me to my room. Irene, Pastors sweet wife set me up with my own room. A small dresser and a double bed with a ton of cozy blankets. (It gets really cold at night) Anyway, I’m in my room with Tonya ans we are chatting away when I see the biggest spider I have ever seen in the same vicinity as me, crawling up the wall next to my bed. I think she saw my crazy eyes and she turned around, grabbed her sandal, and squished it. My here..haha. She was like” oh yeah, I kill spiders now” I laughed, nervously...ha. I then got ready for bed, we brushed our teeth outside where the bathroom is located, and then I went to bed.

Day 2:

I slept a full nights sleep for the first time in two days. I slept consecutively for about 5 hours. The rooster crowed promptly at 5am. Yes, I said rooster. Shortly after, the house came to life. I heard a scrubbing of some sort, Sammy crying, someone singing (which they do a lot here...Tonya says she feels like she’s living in a musical...ha). I layed in bed. Part of my brain was remembering all of the events from yesterday, the other part of my brain was wondering if there were any spiders on the wall or...gasp...on me while I slept. I got up and checked the time, it was only 5:32. I jumped back in bed, and was shivering, then prayed that I would fall back asleep. My mind was already at work though... I miss my family...Can I really do this? Why am I here? What is Gods purpose in all this? I began to pray, asking God for discernment, strength, and for Him, in time, to reveal His purpose. I prayed for him to break the barrier or praying aloud and that i wouldn't get so nervous and uncomfortable. Tonya woke me up, which I thought was just a few minutes later, but it was 9am. I felt so refreshed. I fell asleep praying. I quickly got ready, ate breakfast, and we were off. Our first stop was the farm. On the way, there was so much to look at. Women carrying babies on their backs, people everywhere. Hitchhiking, selling produce, monkeys, a man walking his goat. I was very entertained. The drive was about an hour or so as we headed deep in the bush to Goshen Farm. I immediately fell in love. There are 3 houses that they call, earth homes. They look like tiki huts with concrete. I loved them. I met some of the aunties, the women who look after the children. They were all so sweet and welcoming. I felt such a peace being there. I never thought I’d love farm life over city life. The kids weren't at the farm though, they were in the city visiting another orphanage. We left a bit later and headed into downtown Harare. Tonya and Casey were excellent tour guides. They even fed me pizza for lunch! We headed back to the Mutatu home where I got organized a bit. Then we went outside and started playing with the neighborhood kids. They were all so friendly and happy. Some of them were fighting over who got to hold my hand while others started playing little hand games and joking with me. I was having such a lovely time. Their smiles and laughter are infectious. You cant help but smile back and laugh with them. As I was walking down the dirt road, I saw a baby playing with a plastic kitchen timer, sitting on the side of the road. She stopped my in my tracks as I had about a dozen kids around me playing. I watched her, looked at the kids, and went back to her. I became so overwhelmed with emotion. She's 1, my niece, Selahs age. I thought of her and my eyes instantly welled with tears. Here is this baby, same age, same contagious smile, on the side of the street, and all she has to play with is a timer! I tried to remind myself that they are happy because it's all they know. I couldn't help my surge of emotions and the pain in my heart. I was praying through my emotions and the hurt I felt and by the grace of God, not one tear fell from me eyes. She stood up and started walking her wobbly little beginner walk and followed the other kids. Shortly after we ate dinner, and I experienced my first Zimbabwe showering method. I was shocked at how quickly I was able to bathe standing in the bathroom, next to the toilet, while scooping warm water out of a plastic Rubbermaid container. That was my "shower" But man, did it feel amazing to shower. Again, by the grace of God, I was so amazed at how I am adapting to their way of life. I'm in awe of everything. The scenery, the people, the overall presence of Gods spirit. 

With that said, I miss my family a lot. I think about them and want to cry at times but God gives me strength each time and I quickly recover. Please pray that I continue to adapt quickly, and that I'm sensitive to His spirit as he leads. I love and miss you all! xo

The journey so far...update!

So many crazy things have happened since my last post. There have been some bumps along the way. Both in my planning as well as my personal life. But how deep, how wide, is his love, mercy, and grace. The Lord truly works in mysterious ways and I'm just dying to know what He has planned! Originally, I was going to Zimbabwe alone. Now, my friend and her husband are going! (That would be the same friend who told me about the orphanage in the first place.) Funny Isn't it? To say I'm excited would be a HUGE understatement. The Lord placed it on their heart as well and they decided to go! They bought a oneway ticket for June 1st. I just purchased my ticket and I depart on August 1st and will be there the entire month. I still have some little things left to plan but the major things are pretty much finished. I grow more anxious everyday and I can't wait to be there and love on all those sweet kids!

The Calling

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

I have had dreams over the last year, dreams of me in Africa caring for orphans. At first, I thought nothing of it. I brushed it off as just another dream and went about my life. A few months after, I had another dream about the same thing, only more vivid; it felt like I was really there. I didn’t really know what to do with what I felt in my dream. I would think about it from time to time and then forget about it.

Around my 27^th birthday, which was in December, I started getting an uneasy, anxious feeling. I was content with where I was in life but not really happy. I felt like my life was lacking direction and I started to feel like He was leading me somewhere but I had no clue as to what or where that would be. Around January, I started whole heartily seeking the Lord in the matter. So, I opened up my bible and started praying continuously to only find confirmation DAILY that He needs me in Africa.

On August 1^st I will be departing to Harare, Zimbabwe. I will be there for about a month. The church I am going through is based in Tennessee and actually started the orphanage, TJ’S House, in 2004. For the past several years their ministry teams have housed, fed, provided medical and dental care, and clothed orphaned children living on the streets. Since 2011, roughly 1.7 million children have been orphaned mostly due to aids. Today, approximately 300 children call TJ’s House home. The city I will be in is Goshen and is in the rural part of Zimbabwe. Because it is so far from town, the children go to school on site. I have been asked to help with the primary school. I’m certain God will change my life greatly as a result of stepping out in faith to serve Him.

The road ahead is long and I have many things to accomplish before I go. I would so appreciate prayers of guidance and discernment. Thank you in advance for all the love and support! :)