Africa Mission Trip in a nutshell

Esther 4:14 ..."And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Good morning my friends! Before I start this blog, I truly want to thank one more time those who supported me before, during and after my trip with kind words, prayers, financially, or simply being there ready for my updates, and hear all about the trip. I am beyond grateful for you!!

It still hasn't sunk in. I've been back in the States for 4 days, the first day was very rough emotionally because all I wanted was to go back to the campsite and do it all over again, minus the flights of course !

Alright, here we go...

I did not know what exactly to expect as far as getting there, all I knew was that our Itinerary seemed endless, and I was having very bad back pain from all my luggage by the time we arrived in Mwanza. I sucked it up, and I put my trust in God. There were times at a few airports were I could not take it any longer, and I asked one of my teammates to carry at least one item. Sometimes the help was genuinely offered without me asking.

During those long flights, and van rides when we were headed to the Island, I had plenty of time to meditate about the Lord, and think of what I've become, and who I was in Him.

My heart was overwhelmed, because I still couldn't believe I was headed to Africa! Like are you serious? This had been my dream since I was 12, back when emails between 6th graders, Internet Cafes, flash drives, and windows live messenger were the trend.

I had received a couple of forwarded emails about being grateful for what you've got, and it showed pictures of children in Africa. Though I wasn't a believer at the time, it still was in the back of my mind to go someday, and spend time with them.

When we arrived at the campsite, I got very nervous, not gonna lie. I had never gone camping before, and I had no idea how to even put my tent together. When I got it going, I went in my tent, and organized my stuff a little. It got dark quickly, and all I could say was Lord, this is it. Help me. I'm excited, but don't know how many days I'll be able to handle this.

Viva la squatty potty!!! That's right, praise the Lord for our assistant team leader Susan! She's the most down to earth woman, and taught me, and other teammates how to go for it. Of course I was feeling all weirded out about it, I thought I was going to be okay since I had used it maybe twice when I was in Thailand, but for some reason this time seemed scarier.

I went in the squatty potty, as I looked down I was like nope, no way. Went straight to my tent, and said Lord... I don't think camping is for me, help me because I want to cry really bad right now! So I skipped the squatty potty for the night, and just went in the woods!

The next morning I was completely changed at heart. I was ready to go share the Gospel, and find the Lord in the smallest things, so no more sorrows over silly stuff!

After one of the busiest semesters at school back home, emotionally, and mentally draining I finally got to wake up that morning with nothing in mind, but to read the word on a rock with my cup of coffee. The Lord lead me to Esther and it brought so much peace to my soul! The verse that stayed with me was Esther 4:14 ..."And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” I knew from that point on that this was not a coincidence, God wanted me here in spite of my failures, and I was ready to serve His people!

Some highlights before moving on:

Worship time!! Love, love, love the worship, dances and joy the Tanzanian brothers and sisters have, it is absolutely contagious and beautiful to watch and experience!
I got assigned to an amazing translator, a woman on fire for the Lord! Mrs. Kabula!
I had the privilege to lead worship every morning, but I still do not see myself as a worship leader :D
No technology for the whole time, best thing ever!!!
Tanzanian food is delicious!!

First day of evangelism started on Thursday. We got to evangelize Thursday, Friday, Saturday and the following Monday. We'd start with devotions amongst our small team assigned for that village and discipleship after evangelism...take note, only 4 days!

During the whole time demons were cast out, many people gave their lives to Christ, we got to pray for the sick and meet their families and neighbors, establish friendships and hear their stories! On that Sunday we did not get to evangelize because it was a church day and baptisms afterwards, so all those people who we got to share the Gospel with were invited to the morning service, I saw a lot of familiar faces! It was very humbling and amazing to watch!! We got to dance with the nationals, pray together and see lives transformed.
Every home that I got to share the gospel at received Jesus in their hearts, including a man that was very well known in the village and was very successful, his position didn't stop him from coming to Christ.
Things were happening not only amongst those who accepted Christ but amongst our team too. Those who didn't feel equipped or ready enough to share the good news were stretched in ways they didn't see coming and molded right there! God qualified the called!!
Personally I was able to appreciate so much, and come back home with a fresh perspective of what really matters the most! And that is, we also have people in need back home! So I came back not worrying about work, or what school is going to look like this coming semester! All I desire is to be used by the Lord here in the States just like I was being used in Tanzania, and listen more to friends and family that have spiritual or emotional needs. It's awesome because it's only been a few days and I already talked with a few people who needed prayer, life was happening here when I was gone! So it's not about what I did on the trip, but what He did!

The craziest testimony that I got to experience was a lady that came to our discipleship one afternoon and was scared because she gave her life to the Lord but her husband was beating her for her profession of faith. The very next day we got to share the gospel with that man and for the Glory of God he also gave his life to Christ. It took him a while because he had many questions, and what I loved the most was his heart and willingness to listen, and respectfully ask and share why he had skepticism.

Jesus is AMAZING!!! I truly hope I can go back again and see how the new churches are doing and how the new believers have been changed!
Just like I shared amongst my team, this was the best trip of my life! I had never seen so many people coming to Christ, and how people were so ready to receive their Savior of their soul!

Hit me up if you have any questions :) I'm happy to answer!

Super cool facts:

1,753 adults heard the gospel plus too many children under 12 to count
3 new churches started
11 churches that were planted last year were strengthened thru discipleship

And...
947 people gave their lives to Christ!!

The first family that accepted Christ