God Moment Memoirs

It's almost that time again. I never thought I'd go to Africa and now I'm counting down to my second trip and hoping it becomes a yearly excursion. People talk about having "Aha!" moments, but I think moments like these, and maybe I will call them "HaHa!" moments, are noteworthy as well.  The times when we think we know what our lives should like, where we want to go (and don't want to go!) and what we want to do and we find out in the best possible way, that it's not about US and God has a much better plan. So, somewhere in my past, my restricted, limited self said I never want to go to Africa or India and I hope God never sends me there. Today, I want to embrace freedom and open spaces and so I'm going to Africa AND India this year! HaHa!!! Thank you, Jesus. What a beautiful and tender joke and I AM laughing every time I think of the irony. Another Green Pond rainbow to remind me of the promises of God. My new friend, Laura. She ...

This is our driver John. We love John. John drives the Coaster and keeps us safe. Did I mention we love John????  Morning devotions on our first day of service in Rwanda were shared by Laura Seifert from  Yes Ministries  and I didn't realize until Wednesday how significant the message was to me. She talked about when the disciples said "yes" to Jesus' invitation to go over to the other side and how they got in the boat with the expectation of smooth sailing. Of course, when the storm raged, they accused Jesus of not caring if they perished and after He calmed the seas He uttered that famous question, "Why are you still fearful, O you of little faith?" The point I jotted down in my journal was that when we say yes and get in the boat, there is an experiential lesson to be learned there with Jesus and it often takes a storm to get us to see it. I knew that to be true. I think I was just looking back at the truth of those words instead of forward. Thi...

Pictures!! So many pictures to sort through! We had the privilege of having Serah, staff photographer for ANL in our Jeep for the trip. I handed off my camera to him a few times and so any good pictures were likely taken by him! We also set up a photo sharing page for all of our pictures from the trip, so many of the pictures on the blog were not taken by me. Sun rising over the lake at Akagera Game Lodge Baboon!!! The baboons sneak in to the lodge area and hang out looking for food. I wish I took a picture of the full page of warnings and instructions in our room. At first I thought it was overkill, but then on our way back from dinner, just as someone asked if we had seen any of them, one dropped down from the balcony right in front of us. Women. So, of course there was screeching and panic (the instructions said to remain calm) and hasty running and pushing into our room (the instructions also said not to run). Total fail on our part. There were a few brave souls out wa...

So before we go on safari...we have a few more things to share about my time in Rwanda. Since every minute of this trip, from planning, preparation, and participation served as an education for me I thought I'd pass on some of the important things. I mean, if anyone is actually reading along. Are you? I've never blogged before and have decided it's a strange world that I'm not sure I belong in!! There's all this quick scrolling and clicking around and scanning (I'm so guilty of all of this!). Being on this end of it makes me appreciate the people putting their hearts out there and wondering if anyone is paying attention. Well, if you are...leave me a comment! Let's start a conversation and see if we can begin a little revolution of community and love and support for my new found circle of precious Rwandan friends. Their heart wrenching stories, precious smiles, sweet laughter, contagious joy, fearless devotion, and tender voices have changed everything ab...