Kinetic Energy

Defined: an expression of the fact that a moving object can cause change on anything it hits.

[kinetic-energy3]

Waiting Out Volcanoes

"Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

"One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." -Psalms 27:3-4

These are my favorite verses. The verses God chose for me, the ones that found me, the ones I chose back. If I believed in having life verses, these would be them. (But, sidenote, I just can't believe in life verses right now because who I am is so transient, and the thought of choosing ONE verse to be THE verse for the rest of my life just seems arbitrary. It's not marriage; it's a Bible verse. Why box yourself in like that??)

But ANYWAY....these are THE verses that have been my #1 for many years now, and as I was reading them over for the millionth time today, I realized what a far cry my life has been from reflecting these verses lately.  If you've known me a while, then maybe you know the past few years haven't been easy. I've had some rough times that I'm only recently emerging from. And during those times, I got totally lost. Heck, I got so lost that I'm pretty sure these verses were the exact opposite of what I was feeling. But thankfully, for the most part, I'm back to discovering what these verses are all about: Commitment, faith, worship, confidence, peace. Heavy stuff for just two verses.

One of the themes is commitment to God no matter what. Even if an entire army is against us, still we will seek God. Seems pretty clear-cut, except here is something I never expected--that army is not always obvious.

I knew to fight off sin where I saw it. I learned how to be "in the world", yet not "of the world". But I wasn't prepared to fight the various battles that welled up within myself. And sometimes, I am my own worst enemy. Sometimes you can smell smoke from a mile away, but other times you're enjoying the view from your mountaintop when--BOOM! Turns out it's a volcano. What was healthy is now broken, what drew people close now scares them away, what was solid has turned to molten lava--rearranging the very ground you stand on.

And how do you fight when you've been knocked off your feet? What if your enemy is something that is totally out of your control? You can choose to avoid committing crimes or gossiping about someone. But, for example, how do you fight hopelessness caused by deep grief? How can you avoid the turmoil caused by a health issue? How do you war against doubt, when things you trusted proved to be untrustworthy? When the army is coming at you--a big army--Christian quotes and blanket statements are not only powerless, they're often part of the onslaught. How do you fight against things that are so shattering while maintaining faith, peace and a big Christian happy-face?

I certainly did not know. And to be honest, I still don't. I can't explain to you how I got through my volcano moment other than a thousand tiny decisions and one word: Wait.

If you read the whole chapter of Psalms 27, you'll sense that David was feeling a little abandoned. But the very last verse tells us his plan of action for his personal volcano moment: "I remain confident of this: I WILL see the goodness of the Lord in this life. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

Personally, my patience wore out. I waited and waited. Then I threw in the towel, sometimes for months on end. The vision of "sitting at the feet of the Lord to behold his beauty" seemed about as real as a Lisa Frank drawing--magical and beautiful, but childish and unreal. (Sorry Lisa Frank, I still love you.)

It's so easy to fight when things are black and white, but the world we live in is so many shades of gray (and I'm not talking about 50 shades, cuz that is something entirely different ;) ). But though the "war" this verse is talking about looks much different than I imagined--though it comes into our lives cloaked in gray, hidden behind smiles and seemingly harmless words. Though it comes in massive upheavals and uncontrollable disasters. Though the war arise WITHIN me rather than AGAINST me, my true desire hasn't changed. All I want is that picture of peace these verses paint--admiring His beauty, inquiring in His presence. No matter how the world clamors, no matter how my own spirit wars within me, this is my desire.

In my own battles I have been patient, strong, and have taken heart. I have also been impatient, weak, and have given up. I am brutally human. But slowly, slowly in a way that I can only hope is God's timing, the sun is rising. I've waited out volcanoes. And though in recent years this has not been my cry, (my cry has been more, ahem, literal tears), I rejoice that I am again able to declare,

"In spite of it all, I shall be confident. ONE THING have I asked from the Lord and this ONE THING I shall seek: That I may dwell in His presence all the days of my life, that I may gaze upon His beauty and seek Him in His temple."

I did my best, it wasn't much I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you And even though it all went wrong I'll stand before the Lord of Song With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah. -Leonard Cohen

[kinetic-energy3]

Meet Jose.

Jose is a 6 year old little boy from Brazil with a big, bright smile. He goes to kindergarten and does okay. But what he really enjoys is playing marbles with his friends on the dusty ground of his community. He walks through littered streets to a mud hut: Home.

His mom and dad have a hard time making ends meet, but this isn't a concern of his. He's just a kid after all. As he runs his fingers along the mud walls of his home, he listens to his parents hushed argument. How will they buy their maize and beans? How will they afford a good education for Jose and his brother? Jose hears, but he doesn't understand. He is 6 years old, and this is the only life he's known.

Half of the adults in his small town are unemployed, and the community is in great need of employment opportunities, improved sanitation, drinking water and a police station. Health issues in the area are viral infections, dengue fever and HIV/AIDS. This isn't new to Jose--this is just the norm--the status quo of every day life. And unfortunately, given the statistics of his hometown, his opportunities for a better life are few. But you can change that for him.

He sees other children going to the Compassion Center--making friends, getting nutritious food and a good education, learning about the Bible. His mother hopes that Jose will get a sponsor soon, and together they wait for Jose to be able to attend the Compassion Center. 

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In case you missed my last post (http://kinetic-energy3.tumblr.com/post/98562912864/meet-riska), I have been challenged by Compassion International to find sponsors for 3 children within the next month. Jose is the first.

The story I shared above is all based on the facts that Compassion included in Jose's information packet. I don't actually know Jose's or his parents' true feelings, but I do know that the facts are real, the needs are real, and Jose is waiting to be sponsored.

With your sponsorship of $38 a month (money you'll never miss, I promise) you can make a HUGE difference in the life of this adorable little boy! You will also be able to write him letters (and receive them in return!) to get to know and encourage Jose and give him a world of opportunity!

Your sponsorship of Jose will allow the staff at his local Compassion Center to provide Jose with Bible studies, nutritious food, vaccinations, health education, sports, music classes, academic support, home visits and cultural field trips. The center staff will also provide meetings and lectures for Jose's parents.

I am the only one who has his information packet right now--which means that no one else has the opportunity to sponsor Jose at this point except all of you.

Would you be willing to sponsor this little cutie? Step in and make a difference in his life today!

Contact me for more information! Just call, text or message me on Facebook!

Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. -J.M. Barrie

If you can't feed 100 people, just feed 1. -Mother Teresa

[kinetic-energy3]

Meet Riska.

She was 7 years old when I first saw her photo at www.Compassion.com. My heart went out to her immediately.

Riska lives in a land unknown to me--Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. At first, those sounded more like Dr. Suess words than an actual place, but now I know that Samarinda is part of the island of Borneo. And while it's a tropical paradise to many--away from the sandy beaches, there's a darker story.

Poverty is rife in Samarinda. Low wages, malaria, dengue fever, unclean water, insufficient education. Also, about 82% of the population is Muslim.

I began sponsoring Riska 4 years ago through Compassion International. This means that she can now go to the local Compassion Center with other sponsored children where she receives healthy food, an education, love and care, a vibrant church-based social center, and most importantly--she receives Bible teaching and hears the gospel message of Jesus Christ.

Getting sponsored is a HUGE deal to these kids! They often wait in anticipation for months and months to be sponsored, so that they can attend their local Compassion Center. 

The great thing about Compassion is that you can write letters to your sponsored child! This is one of the first letters I ever got:

Short and sweet words from a 7 year old girl. :)

This October marks the 4 year anniversary of when I first started sponsoring Riska. I now have an entire binder filled with letters and pictures....and ummm...it may be a Hello Kitty binder:

(Riska always draws her clouds in a perfectly straight line like that, haha.)

I can't even tell you what a blessing this has been for me to receive her letters and learn things about Riska. She loves to sing. Her favorite color is pink. She loves her baby brother. She gets her water from the river. She struggles in school. 

And I get to write her back, send her pictures and stickers and pray for her, even though we live precisely 10,138 miles apart. One day, I hope to visit her in Indonesia through a Compassion Tour (something that any sponsor can do).

So, to commemorate 4 years of sponsorship, I am joining Compassion International's Release3 campaign. They have sent me packets for 3 needy children: Jose from Brazil, Mentesnot from Ethiopia, and Akhi from Bangladesh.

Compassion has challenged me to find 3 people during the month of October to sponsor them and release them from poverty.

The cost is $38 a month. And now many of you are probably looking to click away from this and forget it entirely. Because $38 a month sounds like a lot, and you don't want to keep reading and hear God tell you to sponsor when you don't think the finances are there. Let me just tell you my story:

I heard about Compassion when I was only working during summers and was making minimum wage. But my heart was touched; I really wanted to sponsor, and I knew that desire was from God. I signed up and put my Compassion account on automatic payment, so I never even think about the money leaving my account. And I have never once been sad about losing the $38 per month. Because I know where it is going, and it's worth every penny.

If you're anything like me, then you drop money at Target, Starbucks, and Chick-fil-A like nobody's business. Cut back a little on those (or whatever your habit is) and put $38 a month toward changing a life. That's just a little over $1 a day, and you'll never regret it. 

One more quick story! A few years ago I got to personally visit one of these Compassion Centers wayyyyyy out in Middle of Nowhere, Kenya.

And let me just tell you....it is the real deal! These centers are a huge life-changer (and often a life-saver) for kids in poverty around the world, and kids are waiting right now--hoping and praying to be sponsored and needing the love of Jesus Christ that these Compassion Centers and you can share with them. I've met some of these kids. I've seen their faces and homes and struggles, and I invite you to make a difference to them and be a part of this beautiful story of redemption.

Would you consider sponsoring Jose, Mentesnot, or Akhi today, or checking out www.Compassion.com to see who the Lord is leading you to sponsor? Really, consider it now. Don't overthink it, just follow your heart. They are real children; they are looking for a hero, and it could be you.

www.Compassion.com

If you want to sponsor one of these 3 children, or want more info--just comment or message me on Facebook!

[kinetic-energy3]

Journal Thoughts

This is just a collection of thoughts that I had during my first week in Zimbabwe. Taken from my journal and brushed up a bit. :)

How Mission Work Changes You

I love mission work for how it establishes God's kingdom on earth. I love it for all that it does for others. But right now I want to write about what it teaches you about yourself.

Poverty and new cultures force you to trust your heart while also testing your heart. When faced with poverty--with a poor child right in front of you or a poor mama struggling to support her family--what do you do? What do you give? It reveals your true heart to see how easily you give hugs or love or whatever you can to those in need.

Betty, a lady on our team, was incredible with this. When she saw others, she saw the very face of God. She poured herself out in every circumstance, and it was so beautiful. She has an incredible gift--she knows how to give God's love--and I'd like to be like her in that way someday.

Giving can be a tricky balance because you have to know what and when to give. You have to be wise. You have to know when you are being conned. Or when giving something material is actually hurting rather than helping. It's a balance, there's tension, like everything in life. But walking on that wire is worth every effort.

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance, or at the height of his stature, for I have rejected him. For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. -1 Samuel 16:7

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I love how travel and missions requires so much of you at every moment. Everything is wild and different and you must follow the Holy Spirit and rely on your heart and trust your instincts. And that's what I love about it--living in each moment--physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually--right here, right now. You have removed yourself from all distractions and are now in a new land where all you expect is the unexpected. And it makes you completely and totally present. Maybe that's not a normal thing to feel on missions trips, maybe it is. But that's what it brings out in me, and I just love it.

We have returned to a world that is capable of glistening, and we are wading deeper within it. -David Levithan

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Elephant Encounter

Standing there this morning with the elephants—it was just surreal. When you’re in the moment, it’s just life. Breathing in and out. And you know it’s special and you’re trying to drink in every second. But during the moments you spend standing there—you’re still human--trying to feel it all and not quite able grasp the gravity of the moment, though you know it will stick with you the rest of your life.

If we could just unzip our skin to really let the magic of those moments in. If we could see our beating hearts and watch them shine with a burst of light for that moment. If we could feel—really feel—the way we know we will feel when we think back and remember this moment for the rest of our lives.

But feelings grow with time, and we are so finite. So we capture what we can in those fleeting moments. We plant the seed in our hearts, it goes off like a spark and we hope it will grow into something beautiful as the memory sweetens with time. 

~I wrote a simple, little song that day that describes the feeling I was having. That sense of body, mind and spirit all lining up and being on the same page. Here goes:

I'm feeling good about the measure of our days           

I'm feeling good about the way the sunlight falls on my face

I'm feeling full of all the grander things

That mortal life can bring

Oh there is nothing like today

~

I’m falling deeper in the water of each moment

I’m feeling sure about what’s going on between

My heart and my head. And all the crooked lines

Are straightening up inside

Oh there is nothing like today

 ~

I’m feeling easy in the motion of just living

Like I’m the most natural thing this world has held on to

Because it is true that we all play a part

Just by being who we are

Oh there is nothing like today.

There is so much to see always, things too big to take in all at once, things so small as hardly to be noticed. And though they may well come by accident, these moments of our seeing, I choose to believe that it is by no means by accident when they open our hearts as well as our eyes. A crazy, holy grace I have called it. -Frederick Beuchner, The Sacred Journey

[kinetic-energy3]

The End of the Beginning

Your pain has changed me--Your dream inspires. Your face a memory--Your hope a fire. Your courage asks me what I'm afraid of and what I know of love. -Sara Groves

Days 36-40

This is the end of the line, folks. Days 36-40 of my 40 days in Africa. But I call this post "The End of the Beginning" because I truly believe it is the start of something new (cue High School Musical again) in my life. And also because, let's be honest, this is not the end of my trips to Africa. I will be going back someday, someway, somehow. So without further ado.....

Day 36

It was our last weekday in Zimbabwe, and we couldn't believe how fast it had come. We wanted to make it a special day for kids at the school in Hatcliffe, since that was the ministry we spent the most time with.

So we planned a FIELD TRIP!! (Only the two greatest words in all of school history.)

The kids woke up early and walked half an hour to come meet us. All 10 of them plus several adults SQUEEZED into the back of our tiny truck! :

Oh Africa.

We drove them up to Domboshava--a huge rock/small mountain nearby.

Some of these kids had never been out of Hatcliffe, so this was huge for them! People from my group got them all lollipops for the drive up, and snacks for the top.

Chipo was my little buddy the whole time. She really wanted to run ahead, and I told her she should go ahead without me (since running up mountains is just not in the cards for me right now). But she gladly stayed by my side and held my hand instead. Awwww.....

We saw cave drawings, climbed numerous big rocks, and had a total blast.

However, we did eventually have to go back to Hatcliffe and then say our final goodbye to those children. I still think of them often as they sit on their new benches in their little cardboard school in Hatcliffe. I pray for them and thank God for them.

In the afternoon, Dax drove Daniel and I to River of Life church where we would be helping with the worship band for youth group that night. I had my first experience of leading worship, which was kinda rocky but so much fun! And I fulfilled my dream of leading Hillsong's "Oceans" song. :D

The Holy Spirit was really working that night on our team. The entire youth group surrounded us and prayed for us. And tears and hugs abounded, overflowing like a rushing river cascading over a mighty precipice, pouring powerfully into a rich waterfall of emotion..........oh, are you still there??

Day 37

Today was the day where (almost) everyone left me! Started the morning by saying goodbye to the greatest Australians I know, Daniel and Emily. (Yes, they're the only Aussies I know, but they are still the best!) It felt so wrong saying goodbye to everyone. It still feels wrong that the trip to Zim was so short. I felt like we were JUST getting started and really getting to know each other, and all of a sudden it was time to go. 

Dax took the rest of us to the Saturday morning sports ministry for the last time. A group of girls was standing off to the side just watching, and Betty somehow got them all dancing as only Betty can:

That night we had to say more goodbyes and drop off Betty and Evy at the ariport. I know it was especially hard for 14-year-old Evy. I miss you so much Ev!

Day 38

Had to say goodbye to Bekah in the morning which was a huge bummer. But thankfully, she's just a quick trip away in Tennessee! And I need to come visit! (Sidenote: We were together SO much and meeting SO many new people in Zim that if I had a dollar for every time I said "I'm from Florida, and she's from Tennessee," I could afford to go back to Africa right now. Dangit, I shoulda charged $1.) 

After that, I was officially the only one on the team left, but I still didn't want to leave! Which was good because, thankfully, I wasn't leaving for two more days! Gail let me come stay with her at her house, and Daniel Jenkins and I had also planned on recording another song, so the timing was perfect. I'm so glad I got to stay extra days! 

I went to church with Dax and Shep and then went out to eat afterward with them and their very wise, prophetic friend. She prophesied over me just as a lady had at youth group the night before. I may share more about that in a future post.

Day 39

Went to Daniel's to record our 2nd cover "Poison and Wine" by the Civil Wars. Listen to it here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfgsh2Pj-nk&feature=youtu.be

It was cool to have those few days to spend time with Gail and Daniel and experience more of what it would be like to grow up and live in Zimbabwe. I feel like I got a great taste of local life outside of the mission field which was awesome. 

That evening, Gail's family had friends over. We had dinner, played games, and ate vanilla ice cream with honey and cinnamon. It was the best.

Day 40

Oh the dreaded day. My last day in Africa....well....for now at least.... Forty days in Africa absolutely FLEW by! I'm serious when I say I could've stayed a year before even thinking about leaving. I was completely upset inside, but surprisingly was not crying. I don't think it had really hit me yet that I was leaving. 

I teared up a little as Gail took me to the airport. And again when she dropped me off, but by some miracle I still had not cried. But pretty much as soon as I sat down at my gate the floodgates opened and I cried. I finally felt the absence and realized the unavoidable.....I would be stepping on that plane, and who knew when I would go back? And even if I do go back, it will never be the same. The people are everything....and so many of the people will be different. 

So yeah, I cried like 5 times at the gate and wrote this little poem, which is possibly really dramatic and cheesy, but I'm gonna share it with you anyway, okay? So don't judge.

My notebook’s full of memories

My suitcase, full of things

But my heart is empty

It carries only dreams

Of bright African sunsets

People warm & strong

And as I leave the tarmac

It all feels wrong, so wrong

To leave this place that means so much

To trade it in for the Land of Stuff

Zimbabwe started slow and sweet

Yet warmed my heart with every beat

Zimbabwe stole the heart from me

Made it wild, set it free

And now its former cavity

Is desolate, sad—empty

But as I leave the ground below

I feel a flickering light of hope

Zimbabwe stole the heart from me

But left behind a planted seed

That I will water, I will feed

Till it becomes a part of me

Who can say how it will grow?

But I will toil, I will sow

To see what fruit this new life brings

To see how it will make me sing

Yet still my heart is left behind

It hurts me so, I’m asking why

And in a flash it all makes sense

The reason for my heart’s absence

Zimbabwe stole the heart from me

Made it wild, set it free

Zimbabwe stole the heart from me

So that apart we’ll never be.

I don't have any What I Learned About God & Life today because it would make this post insanely long and then you'll all be mad that I took up so much of your time and will never read my blog again. But there will be more posts to come! So for now-- The End. Or rather-- The Beginning. :)

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. -Isaiah 43:19

[kinetic-energy3]

Singing, Teaching, Laughing, Exploring

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. -1 John 4:9-10

Days 33-35

Day 33

In the morning, we went to the school in Hatcliffe and taught them "marketplace" skills. We cut out fruit and vegetable shapes and fake money, and had the kids come to the "marketplace" and "buy" food. They had to do all the math and speak only in English, and they did a great job!

In the afternoon, I went over to Daniel Jenkins's house to record a cover of "The Fault In Our Stars" by Ed Sheeran--which we were clearly very excited about! 

Perhaps too much.

He's a local Zimbabwean artist that I met the week before. This song is seriously SO beautiful, and I absolutely loved recording! I am so grateful to Daniel for showing me the ropes. Have a listen here:

https://soundcloud.com/dannoj44/ed-sheeran-the-fault-in-our-stars-cover-daniel-jenkins-and-kymberly-murray

In the evening we went to Dax and Shep's house. They are two wonderful, hilarious locals we met through ACTS. They invited our team over for dinner and a game night. I can't believe that I don't have a single picture with them, yet somehow I have a million selfies that Evy took that night:

Typical.

Shep, Evy and I all rode together in the back of the truck on the way there, just cracking up laughing the whole time as we bumped along those pot-holed roads--the millions of Southern Hemisphere stars just sparkling over us. I have no clue what we were laughing about, but it's the moments like that that really stick with you.

Finished off the night with some unofficial martial arts lessons from Daniel on our team (not to be confused with the Daniel I recorded songs with). Despite his great instructing and Jackie Chan-like skills, I still could not throw a successful punch at the end. But Daniel, if you're reading this, I want more lessons! You better come back next year!

Day 34

Went to Hatcliffe in the morning. Everytime we went, I became closer and closer with this little girl named Chipo. The second that Chipo saw me, her eyes just lit up. She loved me for reasons I do not know. Maybe everyone else was taken?--already surrounding the others in our group?-- I'm not sure. But everytime we pulled up, she would always find me and give me a huge hug! She is kind and shy and so, so sweet, and I absolutely love her.

Bekah and I taught math class that day (or "maths" class, if you ain't from 'round here). We taught on the area of a circle which is something I left wayyy back in like 10th grade (along with shell necklaces, potato shoes, and my Sansa mp3 player). But for the record, area of a circle = πr².

These kids are smarties and learned quickly! And let me just tell you--anyone is qualified to teach. What they need most is the love we bring, the hope we have for their education, and our ability to speak English.

We spent the afternoon chilling at the Team House with Barry and Emily. This is our Team House by the way (I haven't shown you this yet?!?), where I lived for my 4 weeks in Zim:

Barry told us a bit of his story and about ACTS, and he told us a little about the trip options they have for next year. Let's just say I am VERY INTERESTED in them, and I'm already saving up!

Then Emily and I had a great heart-to-heart. Oh my golly, I miss that Australian heaps and heaps! ;)

Day 35

Hard to believe that our time in Zimbabwe was finally coming to a close! So we took a day to relax and visit Bushman Rock--a beautiful estate and event center.

We had lunch on the lawn and then went on a horse safari! My horse, Lima, was so cheeky (although he's apparently a great polo player). He bit anything in his way (people, dogs, other horses...) and walked me straight through a tree! 

But although my horse was evil, he really did a great job of showing me around. We saw giraffe, eland, impala, zebra & wildebeest. Can you spy 2 giraffes??

The wildebeest were my favorite that day. We came upon a whole herd of them and watched them gallop right in front of us. They are so weird looking, yet still somehow majestic.

Oh and FYI, I just googled and found out that a group of wildebeest can be called a "herd" OR an "implausibility"......seriously. An implausibility of wildebeest.

We "parked" our horses by a creek, and our guide, Jono, led us up to the bushmen caves.

Jono is a real Zimbabwean cowboy and Bushman Rock is his family ranch. He told us all about how Bushmen lived there forever ago and showed us the cave drawings. 

Then it was back to the stables, a quick cup of tea, then back home again. That night we all squished together on our little couch and watched a movie. All in all, it was a wonderful, chill day in Zim.

What I Learned About God & Life

Lesson #1: Love has no reason or rhyme.  As I mentioned above, the little girl, Chipo, loved me. And I'm really not sure why. I did not single her out at first, but she did that to me and I was so blessed to be able to spend time with this little girl! It made me realize how love cannot be explained. And how easy it is to reciprocate love that is shown to you. Chipo loved me without knowing me at all; just like God loves us before we are even born. It's love that is unconditional, and it took a 7 year old girl to remind me what that really means.

Lesson #2: Share your Story. Whether your life has been short or long, you've learned a lot in life. Your experiences and the things you've learned are unique to you, but they are rarely just for you. Your story is meant to be shared. Because you never know how someone can relate to it. Or be encouraged or inspired by your story. Or maybe you just need to work some things out in your head that you didn't even realize until you starting talking.

That day where Barry shared his story with us and then Emily and I had a great chat.....those were hours of story-sharing. And during that time I was inspired, encouraged, entertained, and I also got to share my story--which was healing to me and hopefully helpful to others as well. Don't let all you have learned end with you. Share your story.

Lesson #3: You got skillzzzz. I do not consider myself to be a good teacher, but in Zimbabwe we went to schools several times to teach. I was really not sure how much help I could be. But one thing I learned is that we have so much more to offer than we think we do. Just simple spelling or basic math is easy enough to teach and is a huge help there. The students are SO respectful there and SO eager to learn. And I realized that even though teaching is not my forte, I did have something to offer them. So if lack of skill is holding you back from ministry--don't let it! You may be more qualified than you realize.

How unjust it would be for God's work in your life to start and stop with you. Your lifespan is simply not long enough to contain the heights and depths of His activity, then to swallow it whole without offering anyone else a bite. -Priscilla Shirer

Love is not a because, it's a no matter what. -Jodi Picoult

[kinetic-energy3]

Danai Orphanage, Hatcliffe, & the Best Team Evaaa!!

I bear many scars, but I also bear within me many moments that would never have happened if I had not dared to go beyond my limits. -Paulo Coehlo

Days 29-32

Just a warning, this post is long! If you make it to the end, I'll throw in a surprise bonus pic. :D

Day 29

We spent the mornin' a'singin' and a'dancin' with a class at a nearby school. Evy led them in songs and dances that she learned at church. It was awesome to see her lead! 

The team went to the hospital in the afternoon, but Evy and I chilled out at home. More on that in the Life Lessons section.

In the evening, we went back to River of Life church for Youth Group. This youth group is genuinely going full-blast after God, and it is inspiring.

Later, we went to a surprise going away party at Gail's house! (She's coming to America for college). We met some great friends of hers and also learned to do a traditional Afrikaans dance. Bekah and I thought we were pretty good at it, until we saw how it was supposed to look. And then we realized we were awful.

That night we all hung out together as we usually did.....

Emily probably made some incredible dessert--like caramel popcorn, yum!!! .....and don't even get me started on her sweet potato pie!

Daniel probably played the guitar like a professional, all the while claiming he wasn't really that great.

Evy probably turned the lights out on us a million times, took a few selfies, and then came and snuggled on the couch with me.

Betty probably spent the evening trying to get the iPad back from Evy and making us all laugh.

Gail probably kept the house in order for us, sipped a cup of tea, and had a wonderful heart-to-heart with someone.

Bekah probably told us hilarious life stories that made us laugh.

I probably sang way too loudly and laughed way too hard--just happy and content with all of these wonderful people around me.

I miss those times so much. Just hanging out with the team on our lounge room couches. I love this crazy, inspiring, encouraging, Christ-following group of people. And I'm so thankful that God put us together for 4 weeks in Zimbabwe.

Day 30 Saturday!!! The best day of the week! We went back to WIT Sports Ministry. If you missed my post about this ministry, here it is:

http://kinetic-energy3.tumblr.com/post/93998496434/zimbabwe-world-impact-trust

We played soccer & volleyball, taught a Bible lesson, and then the memory verse, "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." 

Emily got the group super pumped up with her sweet dance moves:

We spent the afternoon relaxing and probably went to the Pick'n'Pay to buy Cadbury chocolate.....Because that's pretty much what we did whenever we had free time.

Day 31

We had a nice, leisurely Sunday. We had tea at Barry's in the afternoon where we got to spend quality time with his family. Barry tried to teach me to play cricket, which I loved! (Even though his kid's cricket skills put me to shame).

Day 32

On the way to Hatcliffe that morning, we stopped to buy some supplies for Rujeko school. I cannot claim to be part of that idea or that purchase, but it was a really cool thing that my team did, so I wanted to share.

Many kids cannot afford to go to school because it often requires the purchase of a school uniform, a notebook and a pen. Lovemore's school doesn't require uniforms, but students still cannot afford the notebook and pen.

Supplies can be found for less than a dollar, but sadly that's enough to keep children from receiving an education. So a few people on my team purchased a bunch of notebooks and pens for the school! Here they are in front of their school with big smiles and the new supplies:

The very next day there were 3 new students at school! Who now have a chance at an education. Which can lead to better opportunities and life without poverty. Wow.

While some people taught at the school that day, I went with Betty because she wanted to purchase new benches for the school. Students sit on these rickety, old wooden benches that fall over all the time. Someone gets up from one side and BAM! it falls over and 4 children go tumbling off.

Betty had the idea to go find a local carpenter and get some made. This supports the hard-working local carpenters in the village and helps the obvious need at the school. She got 3 brand new benches made!

In the afternoon, we went to Danai Children's Home--an orphanage in Harare.

There are so many children there and the nannies are worn out. While physical needs are met, the children often do not receive enough love. As soon as we walked in the doors they JUMPED all over us. (Really, I had a kid climb up me like a tree.) They are desperate for attention and love. We helped them with homework and played with them for hours.

Confession: I spent most of playtime with this little boy named Shekinah, and he was so adorable! But when I was talking about the day with my team later on, I was informed that Shekinah was actually a girl. Ummm.....Oops! It's so hard to tell when they all shave their heads and wear the same clothes!

Despite this little mishap, it was fantastic to be able to give love to these kiddos! 

What I Learned About God & Life

Lesson #1: Look around. The people on my mission team in Zimbabwe were part of my mission. We were not a group of perfect super-human Christians, we are all real people going through real struggles. And we came to Zimbabwe for all kinds of reasons, but mostly because that's where God wanted us to be. And I'm convinced that part of the reason was to minister to each other.

I think sometimes as Christians we go out of our way to minister to those in need. Which is so important and completely commendable. But sometimes we neglect the people that are doing daily life with us. In Zim we were such a tight team, so I was constantly reminded that we're all in this together (cue High School Musical theme...). We needed each other. And for the most part, we were there for each other. 

The same applies for back home. My coworkers, friends, the people I spend time with--they are my team and my mission. We need each other to speak life and share and listen and experience, so take a look at the people around you. That is your team. They are your mission. Lean on them and be someone they can count on.

Lesson #2: What I am and what I'm not. Over the few days I described in this post, I was feeling a little down about what I was (or was not) contributing. First, I chose not to go back to the hospital after our first week in Zim. Honestly, I just do not handle hospitals well at all. To me they are scary and yucky and most of all--they're covered with a heavy shroud of all the emotional intensity that is happening there. It hits me like a wall when I walk in the door and kind of freaks me out. Part of me was okay with not going--after all, different people have different gifts and hospital ministry is clearly not mine. But another part of me felt inadequate--like I was failing as a mission trip go-er. Strike 1.

Then people on my team thought of buying the notebooks and benches for the school. So thoughful, so giving and so impactful! And while I was physically present for that, those weren't my ideas, and i didn't really take part personally in any of them. Not that its a competition or something, but it was like everyone kept finding these amazing ways to give and contribute, and I was just dragging along. That's strike 2 for the mission trip go-er.

Then, I really wasn't feeling great that week; I was just worn out. So I couldn't contribute like I wanted to in other ways. Couldn't play with the children with as much energy as I wanted to. Couldn't engage in conversations as intentionally and enthusiastically. That's strike 3. 

And I guess I don't really have a life lesson for all of that, because I am still figuring it out. I believe everyone has special gifts, and that week I was confronted with situations that required gifts I didn't have. But that doesn't mean I'm exempt. Like, if you don't have the natural gift of giving, it doesn't mean you get a free "no-give" pass. I think there are elements of me that were too selfish. Times I should have set aside my own comfort and given more in ways that I could.

And then there are other parts of me that think, that's just life. I can only do so much. I am finite and limited in so many ways. And it's good to have those days where I stretch myself and find a wall where I didn't realize there was one. And maybe that wall will stretch just a little bit each time, until the wall is miles away, and I'm doing things I never dreamed.

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. -Romans 12:6-8

You have officially made it to the end of the post! If you made it this far then here is your bonus pic. An educational moment of what it looks like when white girls take out their cornrows:

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Entertainment at the Boma dinner. Sorry the video is so dark! 

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25th Birthday & Mutoko Adventure!

Strengthen the weak hands,     and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart,     “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God     will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God.     He will come and save you.” -Isaiah 35:3-4

Days 25-28

Day 25

Somehow, Day 25 of my trip to Africa fell right on my 25th birthday! Some call it coincidence, some call it fate or destiny---I call it.....well I just call it coincidence too....it's really not a big deal.

We had one last morning at Victoria Falls, and we were determined to make the most of it. We stopped at a few shops and everywhere we went street vendors were badgering us. They'd follow us down the street all day longggggg. 

We started out trying to be nice: "Yes, the ceramic rhino is very nice. But no thank you, we're not interested." But by the end of the trip we had turned to the dark side: “No! We don’t like the rhino! We don’t want the rhino! We’re not going to buy the rhino! Goodbye!”

We made one guy really mad because we didn’t buy from him (it’s a long story), and when he saw us later he pointed and yelled from across the street “BAD TOURISTS!! You are bad, BAD TOURISTS!!” 

It was the ultimate moment in street vendor heckling. And it was not funny to him, but it was hilarious to us! 

All day long Bekah made my birthday super special! We went out to lunch at the adorable Africa Cafe where our waiter, Tendai, tried to force us to order strawberry smoothies against our will (another long story).

Even though she tried to make me do 25 laps around the giant freaky tribal statues, Bekah made the day so great....and the whole trip really. We had an absolute blast meeting people together, finding the nearest source of Cadbury chocolate, staying up till 3 am, and rolling with the punches of African life. I am SO thankful for her! Love you Bekah!

Finally, it was time to leave Vic Falls. (Boohoo!) But on the flight back, we got to sit in first class since it was my birthday! I'd never sat in first class before, so I can cross that off the bucket list!

The flight attendant announced it was my birthday over the intercom. But I guess she hadn't understood me when we had our conversation, because she announced that it was my 21st birthday! Then all of first class (which was mostly older African men) sang Happy Birthday to me including the 2nd verse: "How old are you now?" To which I had to reply "21!". 

We arrived back at our Team House in Harare to a big welcome sign and a yummy birthday dessert from the team. A huge thank you to everyone who made my 25th special! 

Day 26

We went back to Epworth to finish the work we had begun on the garden!

I asked Gail (our fearless leader) a question that most people ask at some point in regards to mission work: Can't they just do this themselves? Do they really need us to come all the way from across the ocean to plant a simple garden? After all, my gardening skills are not that impressive, and I couldn't tell ya a thing about crop rotation and soil preparation.

But Gail set me straight right away. "You're absolutely right." she said, "They can technically plant a garden themselves, but they won't because they have no hope. We're here to give hope." So as we sowed our seeds for kale and tomatoes, we were also sowing seeds of hope. We planted them, added water and love, and we hope and pray that God will grow them into something beautiful.

Day 27

We left in the morning for Mutoko--a poverty-stricken town a few hours outside of Harare. The drive was beautiful! I was bundled up in blankets in the back of the truck just admiring these big stone mountains and yellow grasslands we were passing. Here's a bit of the view I came to love:

We went with ZimKids to Mutoko specifically to help two families. The first is a Gogo (grandmother) and her three grandchildren--Prosper, Gamu, and Memory.

When ZimKids first started working with this family, Gogo had a drinking problem and the children were getting into trouble. One of the children had stolen something at school, and as punishment, all of them got kicked out, which is a huge deal because education is not easy to come by there.

ZimKids helped Gogo break her alcohol addiction, but there is still a lot more to do. ZimKids stops by frequently to help them with anything they need. We spent time with this family--played games, chewed bubblegum, told Bible stories & enjoyed life together.

Daniel and I acted out the story of David and Goliath for them. I got to be Goliath, which I consider to be a rare treat since I would usually not get picked for that part....mostly because I'm not a man or a giant (#discrimination!). 

Daniel preachin' the Word!:

That night, we built a bonfire and marveled at the Milky Way. Then we set up our sleeping bags in an empty building for the night.....well, not entirely empty. There are a lot of rats that call it home and we could hear them skittering around all night! Eeek!

Day 28

Climbed a mountain first thing in the morning!

(Simba, Pride, Evy, Rujeko, Gail, Emily (in front), Bekah, Me, Betty)

We had a Bible study on top, ate muffins and enjoyed the beautiful view. Then we went to the next home that ZimKids works with in Mutoko. The father is not in the picture; the mother has AIDS and frequently does not take her medicine, and there are 3 boys that are practically raising themselves. ZimKids had to take the mother to the hospital early that morning, so we went just to minister to the 3 boys who were left at home alone. 

Marvin is the oldest. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of him. Then there's Trymore:

And the youngest, Tashinga (with Emily, who adopted him as her little nugget):

Tashinga is HIV positive. Before ZimKids stepped in, these boys could not remember ever having a bath. Now they bathe whenever ZimKids comes (which is still not often by our standards, but its much better!) When we arrived that day, the older brothers helped bathe Tashinga and then bathed themselves. It was beautiful how they took care of each other and heart-breaking that they had to do so.

Their house is nothing more than a tiny shack. Their living situation is true awful poverty, and if it weren't for ZimKids they would likely die or be separated and raised by different family members. 

The boys were lethargic in the morning, but when our team brought them a meal they perked up immediately. Which led me to wonder: When was the last time they ate?

I am so thankful for organizations like ZimKids who have ongoing relationships for families in dire need. It was a huge blessing to be able to minister to ZimKids and these families. And if you wouldn't mind, I'd really appreciate if you take just a second and pray for these families.

************** (this is the part where you pray) **************

All in all, we had great memories at Mutoko! We all felt so attached to the people we met there, and the work that was being done. If we had had more time, we would've come back to Mutoko again and again!

In the evening we went back to Harare and had a braai (barbeque) with Barry, the director of ACTS. The food was amazing! We lost electricity right in the middle of it, but that's just the norm over there. Barry lit a few candles and dinner went on without missing a beat. I had such a great experience with ACTS, so if you're looking for a great mission trip or vacation to Africa--check them out! 

http://actsafrica.com/

What I Learned About God & Life

Lesson #1: God's love is personal. It's hard to love someone you don't know, and I'll tell you why. Before I went on this trip, I had a general love for people in poverty in Africa. And a love for people with AIDS. And a love for all people in general because God loves all people. But here's the difference-- God doesn't just love all people in general. He loves all people individually and uniquely.

God saw those 2 families in Mutoko and loved each of them so much, long before I went there and began to love them personally. I could only love them in general before I met them, because I didn't know them. But the thing about God is--He knows everyone. And He sees them clearly now. And He is 100% in love with them personally and cares about them. 

Seeing that firsthand makes you realize just how big God is and just how much love He has to give. Love that never runs out. It stretches all the way to the middle of Zimbabwe and reaches us right here in our own homes. There are 7 billion people on this planet, and God loves them all as unique individuals. Right this minute. As they sleep, and work, and sin and make peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. Which leads me to my second lesson....

Lesson #2: Life is precious. Every single life. And we are His hands and feet. I am so thankful I got to be one of the tools that God used to minister to these families. Even if what I did is just a blip on the radar of their whole life. And just a blip on the radar in the grand scheme of the whole world. We were made to be the hands and feet of Christ. To treat every life we come into contact with as precious. And to care for it as Christ Himself would. And I am so grateful for the opportunity to do that through ZimKids.

Lesson #3: Relax. This is just a short thought--but when the power went out at Barry's (as it did multiple times throughout the trip), no one complained. No one was wowed. People did not rush to the supermarket to buy milk, bread and beer. We just lit some candles and went on with life. I feel like Americans (myself included) can have such a high standard of efficiency and perfection that things can be pretty tense. We need to control everything. And in Africa that's just not possible. I loved how I was forced daily to just roll with the punches and enjoy the moment.

"I think you could fall in love with anyone if you saw the parts of them that no one else gets to see. Like if you followed them around invisibly for a day and you saw them crying in their bed at night or singing to themselves as they make a sandwich or even just walking along the street and even if they were really weird and had no friends at school, I think after seeing them at their most vulnerable you wouldn’t be able to help falling in love with them."

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Victoria Falls (cont.)

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. -Psalm 30:11-12

Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy. -Guillaume Apollinaire

Day 23

The good times keep rolling at Victoria Falls! 

First thing in the morning, we headed straight for The Big Tree. This is a giant Baobab tree about a mile away from our camp, smack dab in the middle of elephant territory!

There were fresh elephant tracks and dung everywhere, so we were a little nervous about that, but thankfully we made it without any elephant encounters. And the tree was huge!! While Bekah took my picture, a guy came zooming in on a bicycle in an attempt to photobomb me. You can see his shadow coming in on the far right:

Then the girl he was with offered to take our picture......but told us we needed to pose like trees:

Which was a great call, I think. ;) We found out their names were Farai and Mary, and they offered to walk with us to the Zambezi River (which leads to Vic Falls). We stayed there at the Zambezi for the next hour with them. Mary is a special needs teacher in Washington, D.C. and Farai is a bicycle tour guide at Vic Falls. 

Sitting on the bank of the Zambezi--it was like time just stopped. It was peaceful and still and wild. We could see the edge of the Falls in the distance. And we just sat and chatted like time went on forever. Mary eventually had to go, but Farai walked us back to town to see a crocodile feeding which was so intense! They are so mean! But it was cool to see. :)

We said goodbye to Farai, and then went to check out the Victoria Falls Hotel--a very fancy-schmancy place.

Pumbaa from The Lion King seems to have retired there, and is really enjoying life after Hollywood.

After a quick look-around (and um....a nap on their benches...) we left to get ready for our sunset cruise! The tour guide was supposed to pick us up, but she was 45 minutes late which we were pretty stressed about. We envisioned the cruise (A) leaving without us or (B) being full of a bunch of mad tourists who have been waiting for us for 45 minutes.

But while we waited, we ended up meeting (and re-meeting) some really incredible people from a church in Cape Town. So thank you Caleb, Dylan, Henry, Georgia and crew, wherever you may be! They were such a blast, and they want me to bring back a group of high schoolers to help with their ministry (which I would LOVE to do!).

Georgia and I got into a conversation about music, and she introduced me to the music of Matthew Mole--a South African Christian artist. I loved the song she played, and so she gave me his CD. SHE GAVE ME HIS CD! SHE'S THE NICEST STRANGER EVER! I've been listening to him on repeat ever since. So you better go check him out right now because his music is incredible!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZvHZgii7XI

If it weren't for those 45 minutes that we were late, we never would have met those amazing people! 

On our sunset cruise (which, by the way, did not leave without us and the people were not mad), we saw several hippos and a beautiful sunset.

When we got back we went straight to bed.......at 7:30. We were SO tired! But it was an incredible day.

Day 24

Day 24 was my last day of being age 24. :) In the morning we walked down to see the Victoria Falls Bridge over the Zambezi River. It separates Zimbabwe and Zambia. (Whew, that's a lot of Z's.) Bungee jumping is the thing to do there, so we watched a few people bungee off. But we weren't brave/stupid (take your pick of adjective) enough to bungee ourselves. 

We did, however, cross over into Zambia!

Later in the day, we went to the top floor of the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge to get a good view of a watering hole. It was incredible! We saw lots of antelope, herons, cape buffalo, and then......we couldn't believe it......a mama elephant and her baby! (That's them in the pic below, in front of most of the antelope.)

Next came the warthogs, baboons, guinea fowl and impala. The animals came to the watering hole like clockwork. It was like they had a schedule worked out, so that no one would get in anyone's territory.

Our clockwork theory was confirmed as, all of a sudden, crocodiles rose up from the water. So creeeeepy. Animals had been in that water all evening, and we never saw so much as a ripple coming from something in the water! Yet suddenly the crocs rose up in unison. Must've been croc-o-clock. 

Bekah and I marveled at the sunset and may have belted out a bit of "The Circle of Life." 

Then we were off to dinner at The Boma, which is a must-do at Vic Falls. First they give you an African-print shawl and paint your face:

Then you get to eat all kinds of exotic foods! I ate impala, guinea fowl, kudu and warthog. Let me just say, warthog is amazing!! Like the best sirloin steak you've ever had. Then they started the entertainment: crazy-good tribal dancers! They passed out bongo drums and we all got to play and dance. We made friends with a father and son from California, Troy and Aries. The whole evening was a blast. 

We made it back to town just in time to see the last half hour of the World Cup on a giant outdoor projector screen. We cheered Germany on to victory! Woohoo! (Next time, how 'bout USA wins it though, eh?) 

So that was my last day of being 24. Not bad, not bad at all.

What I Learned About God & Life

Lesson #1: Talk to strangers. It's horrible advice for kindergarteners, but (mostly) fabulous advice for now. The absolute highlight of my entire 6 weeks in Africa was meeting incredible people. And we met the most at Vic Falls. Everywhere we went, people were so friendly, and Bekah and I loved sharing experiences and making new friends! We learned about different cultures and heard great stories. Every experience is just amplified when you have new friends to share it with. So go talk to strangers!

Lesson #2: Trust the plan. God's plan that is. When the tour guide was 45 minutes late to pick us up for our sunset cruise, we were stressed and worried we were going to miss it. Then we ended up meeting that incredible family and having a great time, and they gave me the Matthew Mole CD which is still encouraging to me today. And you never know; next time I go to Africa I may be bringing a group to their ministry. Sometimes what we think are dead-ends are just God's detours to something better. :) 

Lesson #3: "When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate." Or so says Shauna Niequist, one of my favorite authors. The weekend in Victoria Falls was one of those rare 10-out-of-10 moments in life. You know those times? When life is just absolute bliss? I hesitated sharing just how good it was because of how sharing good things can make other people feel: Jealous, discontent, disappointed about where they are at in their own life.

But then I thought how wrong that is, that it's easier to share misery than joy. The time I had in Vic Falls was a gift from God, just as everyone occasionally has their own magical moments that are gifts from God. And we ought to celebrate these blessings for each other, and declare God's blessings in our lives!

The past few years of my life have been difficult to say the least. This trip to Africa has been impossible for me for years. And so the weekend at Vic Falls was a huge celebration about how far I've come. About how God can bring sunshine after rain, and dancing after weeping, and joy in the morning. And so I celebrated my little heart out and will carry these memories with me through all the good, bad and ordinary days ahead. When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. :)

You need coffee shops and sunsets and road trips. Airplanes and passports and new songs and old songs, but people more than anything else. You will need other people and you will need to be that other person to someone else, a living breathing screaming invitation to believe better things. -Jamie Tworkowski

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Epworth & Victoria Falls

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ -Acts 20:35

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. -Proverbs 3:27

Day 21

We were introduced to an amazing organization called ZimKids (http://zimkids.org/)! Their mission is to support orphans and vulnerable families in Zimbabwe. So off we went to the township of Epworth to visit one such vulnerable family. 

The woman we served there has 2 children with cerebral palsy, and her husband is a drunkard. She has no job and had totally lost hope. ZimKids is working with her on several fronts, but our job that day was to help clear land to plant a garden. (Note the impressive watering skills below. This is not for amateurs, folks.)

For now, this garden will give her hope for the future and something to work for. Eventually (we pray!), it will provide food and money. 

As we worked, people from the community joined in and helped us. They don't often help each other out like that; I'm not sure why. Maybe they are a little numb to desperate situations. But as we helped, they followed our example and came alongside and helped too. It was great to be able to help this woman and to set an example for the community as well!

In the evening we went to a church event called the Hipster Cafe, where we were apparently supposed to dress up like hipsters. We missed the memo on that, but thankfully they provided accessories for us:

There was a guy playing live music there, and I was really enjoying it. So much in fact, that I was super jealous and wanted to be singing too. So when he asked for song requests, I requested a duet, and he graciously let me come up and sing with him! His name is Daniel. Check out his music here! 

https://soundcloud.com/dannoj44

Later on in the trip we were able to record a cover of a beautiful song:

https://soundcloud.com/dannoj44/ed-sheeran-the-fault-in-our-stars-cover-daniel-jenkins-and-kymberly-murray

More on that later, but the event was a lot of fun and we met a lot of great people! 

Day 22

VICTORIA FALLS HERE WE COME!

Bekah and I took the weekend to visit Victoria Falls on our own dime. It is one of the of the 7 Wonders of the World, and deservedly so. Because, wow:

Impossibly beautiful. Incredibly powerful. Constant double-rainbows. 

Victoria Falls is twice as tall as Niagara Falls, and its more than a mile long. You just keep walking and walking and the falls are right by your side, going on and on:

The mist at the falls is incredible! It rises to more than 1,000 feet and can be seen more than a mile away:

At the beginning, there was a light mist which soon turned into rain, and by the end it was completely pouring:

Bekah and I got drenched from head to toe, but it was an absolute blast with lots of spontaneous laughter and dancing for joy:

And if that wasn't enough amazingness already-- WE FOUND THE END OF THE RAINBOW!!*

*No gold was found. :(

We finished off the day with dinner out where we saw some fantastic tribal dancers perform. Then it was back to the Rest Camp where we would spend the next 3 nights in our dome tent. Our little home away home:

*Sigh* I miss that little tent...............yes, really. 

So that was the start of an incredible weekend. More on Vic Falls in my next post!

What I Learned About God & Life

Lesson #1: We don't have to see the whole picture. Since we were involved in so many different ministries, we rarely got to see the impact that our work had. This was something I struggled with. Am I really making a difference?

But when we went to Epworth to clear the garden for the lady, our impact was obvious. When we came there was grass, when we left there was clear land. And it was amazing to be able to see that progress--that tangible impact that we made.

But it got me thinking about how we were making impact in our other areas of ministry too. We just weren't able to see it. ACTS can testify to the impact that volunteers have made through their mission trips. They can see the difference between how things were a year ago and how they are now. But it was harder for me since I wasn't seeing the full picture.

I had to remind myself that I am not the solution. I am just a tool in the hand of God. I'm a piece of the puzzle -- a drop in the bucket of all the volunteer work that has gone into these ministries. And all those things together have made a big difference.

I think sometimes we feel like we have to be able to see and measure progress in order to prove that we are worthwhile. But that's a human way of thinking, not God's way. There is something to be said for doing the good thing that is right in front of us, whether or not we ever get to see the impact we leave behind. So I learned that I don't have to see the whole picture. I can just do my part well, and trust God with the rest.

We know only too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something. -Mother Teresa

Lesson #2: Give what you can. When you're on a mission trip, you wake up every day with the purpose to serve others. This is how we should live every day, of course, but that's not the lesson I want to share right now. I want to share that I was surprised to find how much I had to give when I just put a little focus on it every day.

We could give someone a garden. We could give our time and energy. We could give hope to someone just by showing up. We could give, give, and give some more in ways that don't cost money or require a lot of energy. 

Now, I'm all about giving those things too, but there I was challenged to give simply. Every day, all the time, in the little ways that I can: Giving a hug, a word of encouragement, or extra time. Sharing a joke or listening--really listening to someone. Or by simply sharing a smile. We have a lot more to give than we think, if we only open our eyes.

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. 

-Proverbs 11:24-25

[kinetic-energy3]

Mountain Climbing & Rujeko

"Above all, love each other deeply..." I Peter 4:8a

Days 16-20

Day 16 (cont.)

After World Impact Trust sports ministry in the morning (http://kinetic-energy3.tumblr.com/post/93998496434/zimbabwe-world-impact-trust), our plan was to go on a hike to the top of a rock/mountain called Ngomakurira to watch the sunset (or "enjoy a sundowner" as my African friends would say).

Now, many of you know that I have to keep my exercise to a minimum right now thanks to the lovely mono/thyroid/adrenal disaster of 2012. But this was supposed to be a quick hike--an easy hike--a leisurely stroll up the hilltop. 

Not. True.

We climbed straight up this thing! 

I felt like Spiderman climbing up the side of a building. Except Spiderman has Spidey-grip, and Spidey-senses, and can just shoot out a Spidey-web from his wrist if he starts to fall. Which would've been nice to have when Bekah's iPhone went tumbling down the mountain (no worries, it was recovered). But nevertheless, we persevered and eventually made it to the top where the view was SO WORTH IT!! 

We watched the sunset, built a fire on top of the mountain, sang some songs and made new friends. We laid on our backs and watched the world turn upside-down. The ground like sky, and the sky like ocean beneath us. It was one of those magical, prismatic moments that you never forget.

Day 17

Ahh, Sunday--the day of rest. We went to River of Life Church in the morning and relaxed the rest of the day. :)

Day 18

It was Bekah's birthday!

We went to Hatcliffe in the morning to teach at Lovemore's school. Yes, his real name is Lovemore, and if you think that is a crazy name you should hear the names of some other people we met: Never, Gift, Pride, Forget, Blessing, Blessed, Evidence, Trymore, Memory, Mistake, and my very favorite-- Optician.

In case you don't believe me, here's a pic of Optician and I (she's the one next to me......oh and I'm the white one ;P )

Anyway, Lovemore is a wonderful Christian man who has a small primary school in Hatcliffe called Rujeko College. It is made of just a few wooden posts with tarp and cardboard for the ceiling and walls. Many children cannot afford to go to school, so it's a big deal that these students are able to get an education. Below is a picture of our team praying outside the school. 

There are about 10-15 students (approx ages 7-13) that go there, and over the next several weeks we became very close to each of them. They may not have much in the way of material possessions, but the education they are receiving is very good. Our team got to teach them so much while we were there: Bible, Math, English, Science, Health, & Geography (mostly thanks to Emily and Bekah!).

Serving this school was one of the highlights of the trip. But more on Rujeko later.

On the way home from Hatcliffe, we stopped and got some sugarcane. Which seemed so yummy at the time....until it gave all of us food poisoning for the next several days. :/ 

But the food poisoning had not yet set in, so we had a great time celebrating Bekah's birthday that evening! 

Days 19-20

Stayed at the house, sick. Darn you, malicious sugarcane!! Sent from Satan to hinder the mission work! ;)

What I Learned About God & Life

Lesson #1: Climb Mountains. There's just something about climbing a mountain that brings you closer to God and life. It's the intimidation, the struggle, the climb, the danger, the final stretch, the accomplishment, the exhilaration, the beauty, the peace. I can't describe it, and I don't need to because you know. I've decided that mountains are just endless metaphor machines and everyone should climb one at least once a year.

Lesson #2: It's all about love. It was about this time on our trip that we started going through 1 Corinthians 13--the famous love passage. Verses 1-3 go through all these good things we have and can do: if we have faith that moves mountains, or can fathom all mysteries, or give everything we have to the poor, but do not have love--then we are nothing. 

Nothing? At first it seemed kind of sobering to keep in mind--anything without love is worthless! So many ways to go wrong! Then I realized how simple and freeing that actually was. I don't have to know how to teach a class or know what to say. I don't have to have the most perfect faith or incredible gifts. All I need is love. 

Lesson #3: Education is crucial. I have a hard time saying this because of how much I hated school every. single. day. of my life. But children who receive an education have worlds of opportunity that the uneducated never will. Education can lift families out of poverty. 

Lesson #4: Think twice before eating the sugarcane.

Stay tuned because I'm covering some of Victoria Falls on the next post!

There are two ways to get enough: one is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less. -G.K. Chesterton

[kinetic-energy3]

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. Amen. May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace. Amen. May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. Amen. May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done. Amen. And the Blessing of God, who Creates, Redeems and Sanctifies, be upon you and all you love and pray for this day, and forevermore. Amen. -A Franciscan Blessing

A Franciscan Blessing

[kinetic-energy3]

Zimbabwe: World Impact Trust

The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' -Matthew 25:40

Day 16

An interesting facet about traveling is that you learn what things are universal. Like love, like music, and also Saturdays. I can confirm that no matter where you go, Saturday is always the best day of the week. :) I loved Saturdays in Zim because it meant we got to go with World Impact Trust to do sports ministry! So I wanna use this post to focus solely on our Zim Saturdays and tell you about WIT.

Every Saturday, we loaded up into the back of the truck (or "bucky" for my African friends) and went to a nearby township where Chris Nenga heads up the ministry. Here's a pic of me with Chris's 13-year-old son, Sean. Such a cool kid. :)

More than 150 kids gather every Saturday for sports, a Bible story (pic below) and a meal. Without this ministry, many of these kids would be unsupervised. Now they have a safe place to play with other children; they receive a meal, AND they learn about the Bible! So simple, yet so impactful! 

So every Saturday we played soccer, gave a Bible lesson and passed out food to these children. For some of them it is their only meal of the day, so it was a great blessing to serve kiddos like this adorable little snuggler!

In addition to the sports ministry, Chris has been praying for a piece of land so that he may build a nursery for the young children to go to during the week. Bekah and I got to lead these younger ones on our first Saturday there (pics below). They are often neglected, and this nursery will be a safe and caring environment for them where they will also learn about God's love!

God has recently provided a plot of land which is a huge blessing! But there is still work to be done. 

Below is an email I received from Chris this week. I wanted to get the word out to you all so that we can pray for his ministry and for God's provision, and also to give you the opportunity to donate to WIT if you feel so led.

Hi Kym!

We would like to thank you for your support and encouragement. We really appreciate your partnership with us to be able to work together in this cause of looking after orphans and vulnerable children.

For the past months we have had challenges with our movement to and from Stapleford which is 22kms west of Harare. We need to be carrying food for Saturdays and food for the feeding of the young ones during the week also with the running of the upcoming preschool and sports equipment for the sport academy....

We had that baby, Junior, who fell into the well recently at the preschool site, and we had to hire a vehicle to take her to the hospital. This has proved to be costly for the organization. We would wish to channel those resources to the cause of children and have enough time doing projects and helping kids than being on the road in public transport.

As you know we started this project with my wife, we sold our small car to fund the project when we had a crises on paying fees for these orphans. Also to fund the operation of the sport academy and also for the registration.

The reason we have written this email to you is to let you know that the Lord has been good to us. With the small buying and selling business my wife and I have been doing, we have managed to raise US$1200 towards the purchase of a vehicle to use for the World Impact Trust. The vehicle we are targeting to buy which will serve us well is going to costs US$5000. This means we have a shortfall of US$3800. We are trusting God that you will pray for us and also be able to share with your friends, family, Church mates, schoolmates or workmates for the them to be able to be part of this worthy cause.

We really appreciate your support in prayer and financially. What ever contribution you make will be very helpful towards this vehicle.

1. Vehicle cost         US$5000

2. Raised so far        US$1200

3. Balance Needed  US$3800

God bless you.

Thank you

Chris and Melody Nenga

for WIT Team

Chris and his family are such wonderful, selfless people. If you could pray for this ministry for a minute right now, I'm sure he would greatly appreciate it. And if you'd like to contribute, just contact me and I'll put you in touch with WIT. :D

https://www.facebook.com/worldimpacttrust

Evy, Daniel, Chris, little Chris (in front), Emily, Sean (behind), ? (I forgot his name), Me, Bekah, and Evidence (in front)

More posts about Zimbabwe to come!

Many small people, who in many small places, do many small things, can alter the fate of the world. -Graffiti on the Berlin Wall

[kinetic-energy3]

Zimbabwe: Days 11-15

By faith Abraham when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. -Hebrews 11:8

Harare, Zimbabwe

Now, I'm not really trying to compare myself to Abraham in the verse above. Except for maybe the part about God calling me to a place and me having no idea what I was getting myself into. There is a quote that says "God doesn't call the equipped; He equips those He calls." And I was really hoping that was true as I began my month in Zimbabwe.

Ah Zimbabwe, where do I even begin? I will attempt to give the general play-by-play of my first week in Zim, but will most likely end up sharing my thoughts and feelings because I'm a girl, I'm emotional, it's important, okay?

Day 11

We were introduced to the township of Hatcliffe--the main area we would be serving for the next month.

My understanding of the history is that roughly 10 years ago the government basically bulldozed these peoples' homes and left them in a field. The UN came and built temporary housing (pic below). 

This housing was meant to last for a few weeks. And approximately 10 years later, this is what many still live in. And if they don't live there, they may live in something like this:

Many of these people lack basic needs, but they lack hope even more. That first day we went on a Prayer Walk, which is just like it sounds. We walked around and asked people if we could pray for them. Wherever we went children followed behind us giggling these huge belly laughs and occasionally shouting out "Marungu!" which means "white person" in Shona (the local dialect).

We also met Mercy (right) who is our main liaison in Hatcliffe. She is absolutely incredible and does so much to make ministry in Hatcliffe possible. So if you wouldn't mind, send up a quick prayer for Mercy, thanking God and asking for His blessing on her. :)

Days 12-14

Before we dove into mission work, we spent a few days at Antelope Park to get to know one another and prepare ourselves for the next month. We had some incredible experiences in just a few quick days!

-Went on a 2 1/2 hour horse safari and got super close to some crazy animals! The giraffes were RIGHT THERE towering over us!

-Rode an elephant (pics to come later because they are stuck in my video camera's internal memory, and by the way, on a totally unrelated topic, sometimes I really hate technology so much that I want to throw it across the room.)

-Pet baby lion cubs. Melted from the intense cuteness.

-Went on a walk with lions (and would ya just look at that mission team? I mean, seriously, talk about the A -Team right there.)

-Almost got eaten

But lived to tell about it! So as you can see, good times were had at Antelope Park. Then it was back to Harare to do what we came to do!

Day 15

Went to St. Catherine's in the morning which is an orphanage/school for special needs children. We acted out a Bible story in their morning assembly, then assisted the teachers at St. Catherine's because, boy, do they need a break. The ministry they do is incredible.

My job was to look after one special needs student. Just one. His name was Shingirai. After half an hour he grabbed my hand and walked me toward the door. I thought it was sweet.... Until he let go of my hand and sprinted out the door as fast as he could!! Are you kidding me?! I had ONE JOB!! The teacher assured me it was fine and that he does that all the time, so thankfully I did not get kicked out of St. Catherine's on my first day. :)

In the afternoon we went to the hospital to pray with and visit those who have no one to visit them. The hospital was rough compared to American standards. This ministry is wonderful though. They can visit every week and build relationships with patients, pray for them, share the gospel, and be a huge encouragement. 

There were 2 children we met there that stuck out to me. One was Chris, a cheerful 10 year old boy who has cancer. In the bed next to him, a mother was holding her 5 week old baby. He has a massive tumor on his head. In America, the tumor would be somewhat easily removed, but at this hospital it is unlikely that the child will live. Please pray for these 2 children.

In the evening we went to youth group at River of Life church (http://www.roleastlea.co.zw/). This is a thriving multi-ethnic church in Harare, and I cannot even begin to describe what an encouragement the people of this church were to me over the course of the next month. The Holy Spirit is alive and well at River of Life! I can only hope that our team gave at least a fraction of the encouragement to their youth as they gave to us.

It was the 4th of July, so on the way back all of us Americans belted out all of the songs about America at the top of our lungs. I mean all of them--from 'The Star Spangled Banner' to 'This Land is Your Land' to the classic 'God Bless the USA'. The Australians just loved it....  ;) 

I'll stop here for now before you get bored and move on to something more interesting to read :) Now for segment 2....drumroll pleaseeee......What I Learned About God & Life:

Lesson #1: God is everywhere. The God that we pray to in our churches here is the same one who is changing lives in Zimbabwe. He speaks every language.....or maybe I should say that all people speak His language. He is outside of language, outside of culture, yet part of everything.

Lesson #2: It is better to give a 'hand up" rather than a "hand-out". It can be so easy to see problems and try to fix them with money. But that is rarely the wise thing to do. Its the whole "give a man a fish vs. teach a man to fish" thing. ACTS is the name of the organization I went to Zim with (http://actsafrica.com/). And they understand this so well. They are Zimbabwean run and have partnered with other Zimbabwean organizations. They are working with organizations that lovingly help to empower people to make change. It is great to see the Zimbabwean people leading the charge in bettering their nation. This leads me to my next thought.

Lesson #3: Patriotism is important. The Zims I met seemed to love their country. They were frequently asking and hoping that we loved it too. Even with the scars of their nation's past, they are excited for the future and the change that is possible. And that was contagious. On our Independence Day it was awesome to see all of us Americans come together and celebrate our great nation even though we were thousands of miles from home. The Zims helped to remind me that there is always hope and a future to fight for in our respective nations, and that we should be proud of all the wonderful things our country has to offer.

Lesson #4: We have everything we need. Seeing people who have been living under the same tarp for 10 years makes you realize how little you need. Yeah, living in a tarp is not ideal, and I'm not trying to make light of their situation, but it is better than nothing. And then you come back to America and someone starts telling you how they need new $40 throw pillows because theirs have flowers and they are really moving towards a more nautical theme. And you just have to laugh.....or cry.....or stare blankly. How "need" and "throw pillows" could ever be in the same sentence together no longer makes sense. Your relationship to material things will forever be ripped at the seams (pun intended), and that tension is good.

Lesson #5: God is funny. And so creative. This was not a brand new epiphany to me. But when you see giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and elephants all in one day--it really hits you. He must have had a great time putting all those animals together. :)

Lesson #6: Take your time. Everything in Africa is slower. Efficiency is not at the top of the priority list like it is in America. (And now I just realized how American I am since I used the words "priority list"). The slower pace of life there is refreshing, and I hope to carry some of that with me back here. Just the enjoying of every day and the breathing in of the moments. It seems like the faster we go, the faster life goes. I have a theory that if Americans would just sit down and relax while we drank our coffee, anxiety would drop 17%. 

I read this quote while I was there, and it hit home:

"Anytime I have failed, it is because I had focused too intently on the end result instead of enjoying the process." -Bobby Chang

Goals are important. Efficiency is important. But the process of life is important too. And, ahh, what I wouldn't give to be sitting in Zim right now surrounded by new friends, enjoying a cup of tea and the moment.

[kinetic-energy3]

Let the Adventure Begin!

We aren't called to do big things; we are just called to do something that fulfills this command: Love God. Love Others.

Hello Friends! As you know, I have been traipsing around Africa for the past 6 weeks of my life. I was really hoping to blog when I was over in South Africa and Zimbabwe. I had the best of intentions, truly. But the combination of a busy schedule and poor internet connection just threw that idea out the window. So in case you were wondering (or even if you weren't) here is my attempt to let you guys know a little of what I was up to for the past six weeks!  I'll start with just the South Africa portion so that you are not overwhelmed and/or bored-to-death. Although, if you are bored to death, please don't tell me--I have feelings you know. ;) Days 1-10 Knysna, South Africa

Let me start with this--Knysna is breathtaking. The views, the culture, the people--all fantastic. I cannot thank the Golsons enough for showing me around their beautiful town and helping me to get involved with several ministries in the area. I'm eternally grateful to them for an incredible South African experience. Here are some highlights: -Went with Emzini Tours to see the township (poor area) and hear of the ministry Emzini has to the area. I could talk a lot more about Lynne, Penny & Ella and the wonderful ministry they have--so if you want more info, let me know!

-We visited a school with Emzini. This particular school costs just $16.50 per month, yet many children cannot afford to go.

-I had my breath stolen numerous times by the Indian Ocean.

-Went to a feeding in the township where I gave a Bible lesson and helped feed the children. 

-Met the most kind people! To name a few: Amy, Ella, Colin, Dee, Georgia, Nathan, Christopher, Amarie & Neville, Lally & Andre, and so many more. Thank you kind people of ZA!

-Taught Sunday School to the children at the Golsons church.

-Went on a trike plane ride with the Golsons neighbor, Christopher. Sorry Mom, I had to do it.

-Met Rod and Tina Poplin--a wonderful couple who head up a youth group in George, South Africa. I was able to share my testimony with the group and join them for their Bible Study.

None of this would have been possible without the Golsons! I'm so excited for the work God is doing through them there. The relationships that they have built already, the progress Phil has made in his radio station and how they minister to their church--I was so blessed to be able to spend a week and a half with them!

And as if their kindness wasn't enough already, I'd like to give a special shout-out to Kristen for making gluten free meals for me the entire time....and they were delicious. I mean, wow, who are these wonderful people!?

And of course, I must mention Reyna, Bryn and Erin! I loved every minute with these girls! Their friendship and sense of humor was the icing on the (gluten free) cake! ;)   

Oh, before I move on, here is one more memory I must share. See this guy?

He peed on us.

Now I'd like to move into a little segment I'll call, "What I Learned About God & Life". I wish it had a catchier title, but meh.

What I Learned About God & Life

Lesson #1: We are all equal in God's eyes. There is a great disparity in South Africa. You have a hill of mansions next to a hill of shacks. Yet God sees and loves all. It was cool to see ministries and individuals who break the barriers of the rich and poor and work together for their country and for the kingdom of God.

Lesson #2: I am nothing. Who am I? I am just a regular American girl. What am I even doing here and what do I have to offer? I. am. nothing.

Lesson #3: God is everything. He puts things into our hearts for a reason. I can trust that the ministry opportunities and the conversations He placed me in are guided by Him. When my heart is hidden in His heart, then my words and actions are anointed by the Holy Spirit. I do the following, the obeying, the planting; He does the leading and the growing. 1 Corinthians 3:7 says, "So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."

Lesson #4: Step out. The Golsons inspire me. They are ordinary people like you and I. They had a full and rich life in the States with friends, jobs, schedules, laundry, dreams...the usual. But they felt the call of God on their life to pick up everything and move to South Africa. Some of this adventure has been wonderful and some has been very difficult. But they are following the call of God in their lives. They stepped outside of the box and are following the Lord with their heart, soul and strength. And through that, I have personally been both blessed and inspired.

Lesson #5: Life is not all rainbows and sunshine. I know, I know, it was a shocker to me too. But seriously, what I’m saying is it’s easy to forget how easy we have it. And suddenly when poverty is staring you in the face, you realize just how blessed you are. Your perspective changes. And whatever whiny little thought you have in your head gets replaced with immediate thankfulness.

Lesson #6: Life is not all rainbows and sunshine, but it can be all JOY. No matter what your circumstances are. I met some people in some dire circumstances who had the greatest joy. You can take away someone’s home, job, money, reputation, etc., but you cannot take their joy away without their consent. Because joy comes from God. And you can't touch that (♫ na-na-na-na na-na na-na.... ♫) It's a little ridiculous to try to sum up some of the most incredible 10 days of your life into a bullet point list of actions and lessons. I'd love to share more! So if you want more deets, just email me! Or call...or Facebook message...or send a telegraph...or a carrier pigeon....whatever you need to do, I won't judge. 

Posts on Zimbabwe to come!

I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. And by the grace of God, I will. -Edward Everett Hale