After returning to Namwianga after a long 9 days at home with my family, I was consumed in trying to catch up on school work and doing everything I could before it was time to leave. My days were mainly filled with classes and going to The Haven to spend time with the precious babies I had grown to love before my unexpected trip home. The night I got back, I was informed about a new baby that had arrived at the Haven the day everyone found out I was coming back. Nothing out of the ordinary. What took me by complete surprise is that her name is Petra! What?! A Zambian baby that I get to share a name with?! Crazy thing is, she came named that. It wasn't like she was named after me, she her parents just happened to name her that. Funny the way things work.(Meagan Hawley's blog about the day baby Petra arrived)
My last 3 weeks at Namwianga were wonderful. I'm so blessed to have had the opportunity to go back and to strengthen the relationships that I had barely started. I still can't quite believe that I'm back in Africa. Even more so, I can't believe I'm leaving in just 8 days.
The last 2 weeks have been filled with travels and adventures. Our time with the missionaries in Tanzania was such a blessing. I learned so much that can't exactly be learned in a classroom setting. I've also learned that it's frustrating when you don't even know a little bit of the language to do simple things like greet people or just say, "thank you". After spending a few days with them, we were packing our bags once again to prepare for our 3 day safari.
This was an incredible time! I got to see so much of God's beautiful creation and even got to be in the same car as an African Monkey thief! He stole Sarah's apple after she welcomed him by feeding him bread. Ha! Needless to say, we freaked out just a little when that little rascal dropped into our safari car from the roof. As part of our safari we got to camp out on the rim of the Ngorongoro crater. I have never seen a more beautiful sunrise! God truly is an awesome God. His creation is breathtaking.
As for now, I'm sitting in a guesthouse in Jinja, Uganda. While it is nice to have free time, it's also torture. I have so many thoughts running through my mind. So many questions.
"Where did the time go? Am I really going to be back in the States a week from tomorrow? Will people understand me when I get home? Will they really care about all of the stories I want to tell? Have I really changed that much? Did I really just go through all of this? When will I wake up from this dream?" and so many more...
My life has been turned upside down. There are so many emotions running through me that I never know I could feel. There are so many uncertainties.
Through all of these uncertainties, I know one thing is certain. God is faithful. He is good. I know that he will get me through these questions. While I might not understand them, I know He understands everything. I don't have to fear the unknown, the hardships, and whatever else.
I was reminded of this in one of my favorite songs that we sang tonight at our family meeting.
Isaiah 43
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the waves will not consume you. Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, you are mine. For I am the Lord, your God. I am the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I am the Lord (Do not fear)."
