It's no secret: I am not the hugest fan of Africa. Ever since I was little, I never wanted to go. I would hear people talk about "going to the nations" and I would think 'Yeah, I want to go!' Then I would think about where I wanted to go. India. Thailand. Turkey. A couple of closed nations. A few nations aggressive to those in the faith. But never, ever Africa. Not once.
I would read books and magazines about those who were persecuted and my heart would race. My thought was always 'How amazing! To be so dedicated, so in love, that they would sacrifice their lives.' Many people thought it was horrifying that people died, but these persecuted, unwavering brothers and sisters were my heroes. Still are my heroes. And every now and then, I will get into a discussion with someone about martyrdom and they think I am obsessed and way to into it, but I, personally, think it would be an honor.
See, in my mind, I live among every day heroes. Yes, in Africa. And yeah, it isn't a closed country. It is not my ideal, but they, on the day-to-day, through their actions, words and thoughts proclaim "TO HIM BE THE GLORY". Just by being here in East Africa.
I came to tutor math (mostly Algebra I) and, yeah, I expected to learn too, but if I am honest I did not expect to learn all I have. And it has only been a couple of weeks.
In the family I have had the honor of living life with there are nine kids. Eight are present- one leaves in a little over two weeks to head to her DTS in S. Africa. That leaves us with seven kids, ages 8- 15 (there are two that are 8 & two that are 11). A family of nine (kinda) living in a different context than they are familiar.
I fear I am not making my point.
I am here to learn. Anyone who knows me well knows I enjoy learning... But for the past month I have been grumbling and complaining. I, very begrudgingly, board the plane 20 days ago. I have complained about the context (culture, food, clothing, etc.( I will be in for the the 10 months over and over. Yeah, I still do not understand why East Africa, but sometimes I do not get to understand. Sometimes, I just need to say, "Get over yourself. Life is not about you" or "Grow up; you do not always get your way". My point is this: I need to always be saying "TO HIM BE THE GLORY" despite how I feel or where I am in the world.
Eph. 3:14- 4:3
I would read books and magazines about those who were persecuted and my heart would race. My thought was always 'How amazing! To be so dedicated, so in love, that they would sacrifice their lives.' Many people thought it was horrifying that people died, but these persecuted, unwavering brothers and sisters were my heroes. Still are my heroes. And every now and then, I will get into a discussion with someone about martyrdom and they think I am obsessed and way to into it, but I, personally, think it would be an honor.
See, in my mind, I live among every day heroes. Yes, in Africa. And yeah, it isn't a closed country. It is not my ideal, but they, on the day-to-day, through their actions, words and thoughts proclaim "TO HIM BE THE GLORY". Just by being here in East Africa.
I came to tutor math (mostly Algebra I) and, yeah, I expected to learn too, but if I am honest I did not expect to learn all I have. And it has only been a couple of weeks.
In the family I have had the honor of living life with there are nine kids. Eight are present- one leaves in a little over two weeks to head to her DTS in S. Africa. That leaves us with seven kids, ages 8- 15 (there are two that are 8 & two that are 11). A family of nine (kinda) living in a different context than they are familiar.
I fear I am not making my point.
I am here to learn. Anyone who knows me well knows I enjoy learning... But for the past month I have been grumbling and complaining. I, very begrudgingly, board the plane 20 days ago. I have complained about the context (culture, food, clothing, etc.( I will be in for the the 10 months over and over. Yeah, I still do not understand why East Africa, but sometimes I do not get to understand. Sometimes, I just need to say, "Get over yourself. Life is not about you" or "Grow up; you do not always get your way". My point is this: I need to always be saying "TO HIM BE THE GLORY" despite how I feel or where I am in the world.
Eph. 3:14- 4:3
