The Beginning
But Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals this is impossible, but for God all things are possible."
Matthew 19:26
I praise God that I am sitting down to write this blog post today. Since my first post, every Sunday I am reminded that I need to write, but I have been overwhelmed just trying to figure out where to begin. Also, we've been having a lot of issues with the wi-fi in my house, so I've been using that as my excuse. I think we finally have it figured out now. Knock on wood!
So back to my dilemma, where to begin. I now have officially lived in Tanzania for one month. To try to summarize all that has happened since I arrived would be impossible because literally every day has been eventful in some way. But you came here to read about my life in Africa and how I am doing, so I'm going to take you through the overarching emotions that I've experienced over the past thirty days.
Overjoyed
Arriving back in Morogoro, this time with my family, was incredible. Watching them experience Africa for the first time, meeting and falling in love with the people here just as I did, hearing my mom preach in our church and my sister sing with hundreds of children, watching in awe as my dad introduced himself to an entire Maasai tribe, and smiling as my Tanzanian family took them in as their own. It was like a dream, only better. Reuniting with my friends that I hadn't seen in a year made my heart so happy. Waking up in the morning and remembering where I am, knowing that I had prayed for this for so long. Going to school every day and being greeted by hundreds of the happiest faces. It is difficult not to be joyful here.
Overwhelmed
Immediately after arriving Morogoro they took our team to my house. The house that was built in preparation for my arrival. And this is not just any house, this is an immaculate home with beautiful details and four bedrooms and five bathrooms and an indoor kitchen and an oscillating ceiling fan and a living room big enough for 40 people to sit and...I could go on and on. Has anyone ever given you a house before? Because this was my first time and to say I didn't know how to react is an understatement. I walked around the house, mouth literally hanging open, trying to come up with words that could express my gratitude. To see the joy on my friends faces as they showed me every room and detail that they prepared especially for me. I will never be able to thank them enough, and that in itself is overwhelming.
Loved
Love radiates from the people here like sunshine. Their smiles, their hugs, their laughter, their generosity, their hospitality- it all wraps around you and makes you feel that you have worth just as you are. Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves and I will admit that this is something I struggle with. I think most of us do. We like to think that we are kind and we do unto others as we would have them do to us, but do we really? After being in Tanzania I know for a fact that I did not. These people take this command seriously. They take care of each other. They give freely without regard for their own needs first. They would give you the shirt off their back if you needed it and would do anything to help someone in need. It is amazing to experience this love every single day. It is already changing my spirit.
Sad
My family left for the U.S on my 25th birthday. I was dreading that day even before we left for Africa. I knew that leaving me here would be extremely hard for my mom and dad, and I knew that watching them leave, knowing I wouldn't see them for a year, would break my heart. Seeing my family in tears as the bus left my house was the only time I have questioned whether or not I made the right decision. I thought to myself, if this is what God wants for me, and what God wants is good, then why is it causing the people I love so much pain and hurt. In general, I hate when people are upset with me. Regardless of whether or not I did anything wrong, I don't like to be in conflict or cause anyone to be upset. Especially my mom and dad. Thankfully my parents are incredible and they reassure me all the time that they are proud of me and that I am doing the right thing. I wouldn't be here without their support.
Awestruck
God is so good. No matter how many times I say those words, God's amazing works never cease to leave me awestruck. Since arriving here, it seems I experience this feeling every single day. I know that being in a different world, out of your normal environment, helps you to see God more clearly. But I also believe that this place is special. We celebrated my friend's birthday at an orphanage with 20 amazing kids who sang and danced and thanked God for how he is working through their struggles. I got to hold a five day old baby girl in a Maasai hut as her mother stood by smiling proudly. I hugged my friend tightly as she and her family remembered the one year anniversary of her mother's death. Our team led vacation bible school over 5 days for 500 plus children and adults who left knowing that God created them to be the light of the world. Just in one month I have had these experiences and so many more that have humbled me to tears, brought smiles so big my cheeks hurt, made my heart ache for the brokenness of our world, and made me feel so full of life I could scream. In all of these, I see God at work, and I am in awe.
One scripture that has come to me over and over again this month is, 'with God, all things are possible'. I find myself saying it to friends, to myself, hearing it from people I talk to, reading it on Facebook. I'm thankful that God is still reminding me of this. Yes, I prayed for this new chapter of my life for so long and now it is finally here, but God is not done. I will face struggles and weakness and doubts and so will the people around me, but nothing is impossible for God. Every time I say those words, I feel myself let go, and that's a really good feeling.
So now, several hours after beginning this blog post, I can officially say I have begun. This is the beginning of what I know will be an amazing year of growth and love and laughter. Thank you for joining me.
Mungu akubariki,
Allee
Matthew 19:26
I praise God that I am sitting down to write this blog post today. Since my first post, every Sunday I am reminded that I need to write, but I have been overwhelmed just trying to figure out where to begin. Also, we've been having a lot of issues with the wi-fi in my house, so I've been using that as my excuse. I think we finally have it figured out now. Knock on wood!
So back to my dilemma, where to begin. I now have officially lived in Tanzania for one month. To try to summarize all that has happened since I arrived would be impossible because literally every day has been eventful in some way. But you came here to read about my life in Africa and how I am doing, so I'm going to take you through the overarching emotions that I've experienced over the past thirty days.
Overjoyed
Arriving back in Morogoro, this time with my family, was incredible. Watching them experience Africa for the first time, meeting and falling in love with the people here just as I did, hearing my mom preach in our church and my sister sing with hundreds of children, watching in awe as my dad introduced himself to an entire Maasai tribe, and smiling as my Tanzanian family took them in as their own. It was like a dream, only better. Reuniting with my friends that I hadn't seen in a year made my heart so happy. Waking up in the morning and remembering where I am, knowing that I had prayed for this for so long. Going to school every day and being greeted by hundreds of the happiest faces. It is difficult not to be joyful here.
Overwhelmed
Immediately after arriving Morogoro they took our team to my house. The house that was built in preparation for my arrival. And this is not just any house, this is an immaculate home with beautiful details and four bedrooms and five bathrooms and an indoor kitchen and an oscillating ceiling fan and a living room big enough for 40 people to sit and...I could go on and on. Has anyone ever given you a house before? Because this was my first time and to say I didn't know how to react is an understatement. I walked around the house, mouth literally hanging open, trying to come up with words that could express my gratitude. To see the joy on my friends faces as they showed me every room and detail that they prepared especially for me. I will never be able to thank them enough, and that in itself is overwhelming.
Loved
Love radiates from the people here like sunshine. Their smiles, their hugs, their laughter, their generosity, their hospitality- it all wraps around you and makes you feel that you have worth just as you are. Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves and I will admit that this is something I struggle with. I think most of us do. We like to think that we are kind and we do unto others as we would have them do to us, but do we really? After being in Tanzania I know for a fact that I did not. These people take this command seriously. They take care of each other. They give freely without regard for their own needs first. They would give you the shirt off their back if you needed it and would do anything to help someone in need. It is amazing to experience this love every single day. It is already changing my spirit.
Sad
My family left for the U.S on my 25th birthday. I was dreading that day even before we left for Africa. I knew that leaving me here would be extremely hard for my mom and dad, and I knew that watching them leave, knowing I wouldn't see them for a year, would break my heart. Seeing my family in tears as the bus left my house was the only time I have questioned whether or not I made the right decision. I thought to myself, if this is what God wants for me, and what God wants is good, then why is it causing the people I love so much pain and hurt. In general, I hate when people are upset with me. Regardless of whether or not I did anything wrong, I don't like to be in conflict or cause anyone to be upset. Especially my mom and dad. Thankfully my parents are incredible and they reassure me all the time that they are proud of me and that I am doing the right thing. I wouldn't be here without their support.
Awestruck
God is so good. No matter how many times I say those words, God's amazing works never cease to leave me awestruck. Since arriving here, it seems I experience this feeling every single day. I know that being in a different world, out of your normal environment, helps you to see God more clearly. But I also believe that this place is special. We celebrated my friend's birthday at an orphanage with 20 amazing kids who sang and danced and thanked God for how he is working through their struggles. I got to hold a five day old baby girl in a Maasai hut as her mother stood by smiling proudly. I hugged my friend tightly as she and her family remembered the one year anniversary of her mother's death. Our team led vacation bible school over 5 days for 500 plus children and adults who left knowing that God created them to be the light of the world. Just in one month I have had these experiences and so many more that have humbled me to tears, brought smiles so big my cheeks hurt, made my heart ache for the brokenness of our world, and made me feel so full of life I could scream. In all of these, I see God at work, and I am in awe.
One scripture that has come to me over and over again this month is, 'with God, all things are possible'. I find myself saying it to friends, to myself, hearing it from people I talk to, reading it on Facebook. I'm thankful that God is still reminding me of this. Yes, I prayed for this new chapter of my life for so long and now it is finally here, but God is not done. I will face struggles and weakness and doubts and so will the people around me, but nothing is impossible for God. Every time I say those words, I feel myself let go, and that's a really good feeling.
So now, several hours after beginning this blog post, I can officially say I have begun. This is the beginning of what I know will be an amazing year of growth and love and laughter. Thank you for joining me.
Mungu akubariki,
Allee
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