On July 15th, 2010 I boarded a plane bound for Tanzania. I committed to journal every day for the next year; journaling creates a future record of God's past faithfulness. Each night I sit on my bed under the security of my mosquito net and reflect on the events, emotions, and thoughts of the day. I empty my worries, frustrations, and concerns.
I pick up hope, faith, and promise.
On March 30th I wrote on the final page of my journal. Sometimes I feel that I just got here and other times I feel like I've been gone from home a long time.
These children are no longer just pictures. They have names. They have stories. Each of them has a unique laugh. They sing, dance, pray, and cry in their own way.
Each one is forever engraved on my heart and mind.
This journal contains accounts of:
- initial struggles of adjusting to life and creating a preschool class
- deep sorrow in seeing the homes of day students
- desire for Paul to share this experience and great joy as he served here for two weeks
- difficulty of starting the first, first grade class
- Bill and Ester's preparation and service here for a month
- thankfulness for God's plan to bring my amazing roommate, Jenna, for the exact same year
- awe of the opportunity to know these children and love them like Jesus
- news of Melissa serving here in June
- Ben, my brother, booking a ticket to attend training and possibly visit in June
As I ponder the future I must continue to lay these questions and many others at the feet of Jesus. He has plans and purpose. With eyes fixed on him, I step forward knowing that I exist to bring him glory and honor. I am engraved on his hands and my life belongs to him so I put down my pen, set my journal beside my bed, and close my eyes. There's no safer place to rest than in his will.
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