T.I.A.

This
Is
Africa

TIA is the most common slogan or ananoym that I could use to describe my experience so far on this trip. Not only is it used very frequently here in Africa, but is also very, very true. After an excrutiating 22 hour flight to Tanzania, and 4 hours of sitting in my own sickness (don't ask), we finally arrived to the Tanzania airport. We were welcomed by heat, humity, and the infamous blackout in the luggage claim area! Oh, also the missionary, Brent Richardson, picked us up and we began our TIA journey!

What we had planned for Saturday was a ladies seminar up Mt. Kilimanjaro, however, once we got there, we found out that through miscommunication, the seminar was cancelled, and so began our first TIA. We roamed through the mountain and had a short, but very interesting, bible study with a man who was very confused on the difference between church and demoniation. As we left, I thuoght to myself, "How many different things involving the church do I get confused about? Or how many things am I ignorant about because I don't simply open up my Bible and read God's Word for myself?!" It was humbling, to say the least, but also just amazing to sit and have a study with someone.

Since the seminar was cancelled, the Richardsons took us to these waterfalls. All the young kids were talking about this 60 foot drop off into the water, and begged us to go and try it out. I pretty much decided there was no way on Earth I'd be jumping off 60 foot cliff edges, but when we got there, I thought, "TIA" When is the next time I'll get to do this. Once we got to the top of that cliff, I sure wasn't thinking that anymore. The adrenaline was pumping, my heart was jumping out of my chest, and as soon as I took that last step off the cliff, I knew I'd never be able to take it back. For those of you who have never jumped off 60 foot ledges let me give you some advice -- No matter what you jump into, you are going to get hurt. And, ladies and gentleman, I walked away from that daredevil move with a bruised sternum and a sore neck and back. However, the story has a good ending because it only lasted a day and a half.

Today we went to Hannah's Nursery where we taught the children's classes. I knew today was going to be a little chaotic and rough since we didn't know exactly what we'd be doing, but by the end of the "day" (they got out at 11:30) I felt pretty confident that tomorrow would be better. In the afternoon we went to an orphanage and played with the kids. They were just about the cutest things I've ever met, and they all wanted a picture of themselves, so don't worry, you'll see some soon.

This trip has been amazing so far and it's only still the beginning. It's opened up my eyes to let me see what kind of suffering and trials others go through. It opened up my strength and courage to allow me to come out of my comfort shell and do something new and exciting. It's opened up my heart and reminded me of my love for the mission work of God. And it's opened up my mind, and let me understand that God has amazing things planned for me. I'm excited for the rest of the trip. I don't know if I'll have another opportunity to write again from Africa, but continue to pray for me. Once I get back, I intend to write up a full report letting you know all the great things being done here in Tanzania. Love and miss you all!

God Bless...

PS: the singing on Sunday was simply AMAZING! God blessed the people here in Africa with amazing voices. Seriously, it was breathtaking.