Closing distance

WELCOME TO AFRICA!!!! 

Today marks 5 months on the race, wild right? Well, if your still reading these, thanks:) Sooo let me tell you about South Africa…It is beautiful!!! There are lions, pumas, cheetahs, and elephants everywhere, but I have not seen any lol. We do live close to the beach though, so that’s a score, and you can tell my brother I’m finally tanner than him. But the coolest part about living here is my team and I work in a school with 410 kiddos, of about 100 live in an orphanage. Let me paint this picture for you. Five girls hop off the cab in the morning, open the gate, take a solid eight steps into the school and are actually tackled by more kids then you can even talk to. What do they want? litteary they want a hug. Hundreds of kids line up to hug you, to hold your hand, and for you to tell them you love them. Some of the kids are abused, some are starving, some don’t have shoes, some don’t have parents, but yet they sing and dance, and play with your hair. I think I’ll definitely come home with way less hair, but that’s okay. They wait for us every morning, and hate to say goodbye every evening. They tell their friends and family about us, and they beg for us to come back. Yeah, so you can see that we will be complealy destroyed when we have to leave, but oh man its worth it. When I look at these kids in the eyes, I see God so much more. The way they act towards us, is the way I wish I acted with God. They are desperate for love, cannot wait to hug us, love to see us, fight to hold our hands, and run full speed into our arms dreading to say goodbye. Why don’t I treat God with the same excitement? These kids are wild, and I mean actually wild, but Thank you Jesus that I can freely give my love, because He freely loves me. Thank you Jesus for embracing me, even when I let go of your hand. May I shamelessly become wild for you Jesus. 

 

Every morning I wake up to the lovely rooster hacking up his lung at about 4:45am to see God’s consistence grace as the sun rises. 

I can honestly tell you I’ve never in my life woken up so early eager to spend time with the Lord, but Praise God, because It’s by far the best part of the day. 

As I read through the story of King David I read something I’ve never noticed before. In 1 Samuel 24 God gives David the opportunity to kill Saul (his enemy) and David spares his life. The Lord then blesses David because he chose the righteous decision. How many times does God let me decide, and I choose the easy way and I miss out on the Lord’s abundant blessings. I’ve been praying to take the path that seems trickier if it leads to more of the Lords goodness. The distance between me and the Lord, is divided because of boxes. Boxes that I put the Lord in, because that allows me to be comfortable in my faith. God is much more than we can imagine, so let the supernatural or “weird” things take place, and don’t question the Lord, because I’m very guilty of that. He is more than what we describe Him to be, and He speaks more than we give Him credit for speaking. So if bowing down on my knees closes the distance, then I’ll do it. If worshiping and dancing closes the distance i’ll do it. If speaking boldly of what He has shown me i’ll do it. If praying healing over someone closes the distance then i’ll do it. If casing out demons from people closes the distance i’ll do it. If hugging a child and letting them pull out my hair closes the distance I’ll do it. Lord, I no longer put You in a box, You are the Great I Am, so worthy of all things. 

 

So anyway, America I miss you, I always do, but there is so much of God’s heart in Africa, so thank you Jesus for this opportunity. Most of you know that going on this race was never my desire, but about two weeks ago the Lord actually overtook my heart with gratitude for where my feet are planted. I am thankful to be here. There is nothing better then seeing more of the lord, so there is nothing I hold onto. My life is completely in His hands, and that is true freedom, so thanks God for whatever you have already planned for me. I know it’s better than I ever intended. Also I cannot believe I’m writing this, because this race has not at all been easy, but I now see it was all worth it. Every tear, every plane ride, every feeling of homesickness, every feeling of lionesses, all worth it for His glory. So thanks God for pursuing me so hard to run towards you!!

 

P.S Im watching the sunset right now, and man I wish you all could see this!! It looks like heaven on earth, because there really is nothing like the African sun ;). ANYWAYS!! If you ever have the opportunity to go to Africa COME (preferably within a month and a half) because the Lord is working!! 

 

Also sorry if you haven’t seen too many pictures from Africa the school we are working in suggests we do not bring any valuables, because it would be unsafe, but I hope this gives you a glimpse. 

 

Miss you all dearly, 107 days till you get the fattest hug from me :)) 

 

Thanks you so much for all the prayers, I feel them!!! 

 

All His love, nomes <3