Everyday...more or less

I've been getting complaints that I'm not sharing enough of my day to day activities. Keep in mind that everyday is very different. But I'll try to do a better job at sharing what life here for me actually looks like.

I moved into the GETS (Girls Empowered to Serve) home last Monday. Since that is my primary area of ministry, we felt like it would be a good thing for me to spend more time with the girls. GETS is a discipleship program for young women who have completed secondary school and in the waiting period before university. They typically have different Bible studies or book studies and they are taught life skills as well as domestic skills (cooking, cleaning, hosting, etc.)

I am leading a class Wednesday afternoons going through a book called Obeying Jesus. I'm not a huge fan of the book itself, but it has definitely spurred on some excellent conversation and questions. Apart from that, I take each girl into town once a week individually to give them a chance to get away from the home for a few hours. So far it's been a great time to just hang out casually and get to know them each better. So a lot of time is spent getting to know the girls better. Mike, Susan, Mable and special guests lead lessons that I try to attend when I can.

When I'm not at the house or with the girls, I'm either at Matt and Crystal's or with my team. Crystal is pregnant and on bed rest for a few weeks and has 2 toddler boys running around the house. So I go over on Tuesdays (and whenever I get an emergency call to come) to hang out with the boys and help around the house. It's been a neat unexpected surprise to be able to encourage her in this time. Yesterday Laura and I spent a good part of our day cooking lasagna and tuna casserole to freeze so that they have some easy meals after the baby is born and last Saturday we had a movie night with her. I've loved having conversations with Crystal and getting to know her better. She's got such a beautiful spirit!

It's hard to really say exactly what else I do here. I do a lot of talking and a lot of listening and a lot of observing. I do a lot hanging out and getting to know people. I've done a few dance parties and movie nights. I've watched a few World Cup games (which is quite exciting since we're on the same continent as the tournament and since we have Brits on the team whose whole life is "football"). I've eaten a lot and drunk tons of African tea. I've been encouraged a lot and hopefully encouraged a lot. People being people with people-that's what I've been doing here. I've learned a lot, grown a lot, been challenged a lot.

We have 5 weeks left from yesterday and honestly, I'm sad to think that our time here is halfway over. I keep waiting for things to get unbearable, to get so frustrated that I want to go home...but it just hasn't happened yet. Sure I've had bad days here, but I can count them on 2 fingers. And of course I've been frustrated, but even on my worst days nothing has made me feel like I'm not supposed to be here, nothing has made me throw my hands up and say "enough!" Maybe it's because of my family here who constantly helps me process through things and encourages me. Maybe it's because the overwhelming love and support from my family and friends back home. Maybe it's because I know God has me here for a plan and purpose. I think it's all three. I'm so grateful for that.