Life after Africa

Yeah I know its a little late to be talking about this after getting back almost four months ago.  But hey better late than never right?

Every one told me when I got back I would go through this huge culture shock.  I didn't really, at least not in the way people said it would be.  I was really happy to be home, I had missed my family and friends back in the states a lot!  When I got back I missed being at City of Hope some but not a whole lot.  I fell right back into my old life like I had never left.  I felt guilty for not missing the kids more.  I expected I was going to miss them like crazy right when I got back and then it would kinda fade away.  Its amazing though because instead of me feeling that powerful love for them right when I got back it has deepened and grown into something real, something that could only come from the heart of the Father.  I wish desperately that I could be there right now!  To hold those precious children in my arms and show them your great love Jesus!  I have learned so much after coming back from that special place.  He has been showing me so much more of Himself and who I am in Christ.  It just blows me away when I look back on my life and see were I was and now am. 

I have had the great and amazing opportunity to move in with the Hopkins family and continue helping them with the kids and everyday house work (you know washing dishes, laundry all that stuff).  I love it.  Not because it is always fun and easy but because it is hard and even painful sometimes.  Because the people around me challenge me to really look deeper ,to live life fuller, and to know You deeper.  Its a huge change to move 5 hours from your parents and a lot of your family and friends.  Its what it took to put me out of my comfort zone and look to my Savior for all my needs.  It gave me a brand new perspective and look on life, and especially on God. 

So here are a few pictures from my trip I thought you all might enjoy.

 

 

                                                                                                                          

Hope

So I have been really bad about keeping in touch with people mostly because internet and cellphones have been a bigger pain to use than I thought they would be. Still that's not really the best excuse I guess.  It's also been really hard to put into words what I have been experiencing here in Tanzania.  If you asked me to sum up everything in one word I think I would have to say hope.  I came here thinking that when my feet hit African soil this switch would turn on inside of me and I would get back all of my heart and passion for Africa.  Well boy was I disappointed when my heart remained in its state of really not feeling anything.  I was angry with myself for not feeling the love I thought I should have for these people.  The Lord slowly started to open my heart and I began to have hope again.  Hope that I could love these people, hope that I was really loved and treasured by my Savior and people around me, just hope to live.   I love that I am at the City of Hope!