Hi everyone,
I want to thank you for constantly praying for me while I was in Southern Africa. Your prayers truly meant a lot! My time in Southern Africa was such an eye-opening experience. I quickly realized a lot of things. One thing is you do not have to have a lot of things to be joyful. Of course, I thought I knew that while living in the States, but then you go to a completely different country and recognize the truth in that statement. 
The children, men, and women that I grew relationships with had very little, and yet they are some of the most joyful people I know. If any of us were in the living situation they are in, we would be complaining all the time. These people are simply so joyful. It did take some warming up to be able to start growing a relationship, especially with the older kids and women, but let me tell you it was worth the time. Getting to know them on a personal level was one of my favorite parts of the mission trip. I loved lending a helping hand by taking care of the younger children, listening to different stories about the orphanage, and answering questions/talking about America. The people I met on this trip are so important to me and I will continue to pray and think about them. <3
Another thing I learned a lot while on the field is that you are going to see and hear a lot of new things. Whether that be from your ministry host, squad leaders, racers, or even just walking in the villages. Everyone wants to help you grow and learn new things, but you need to be able to have discernment. Take all the new information back to the Bible and decide if it agrees with the Word of God. 
This can also be a very fun way to continue studying your Bible in depth. One thing I did consistently during the race was take all the new information I was taught to the Word of God because the Bible never fails, nor does it contradict itself. I grew so much in my own knowledge of the Bible and in my own walk with God by doing this. A highlight of this mission trip was being able to spend so much time just studying the Bible either if that was bright and early in the morning with the sunrise, or if it was randomly in the middle of the day.
Thank you everyone who has helped support me in any way whether that be financially, by sending encouraging texts or Bible verses, by praying, and anything else. You guys helped encourage and uplift my heart and spirits so that I could in return go and pour out during ministry. I love you all!
Africa has such a special place in my heart. I love the people, culture, atmosphere, and everything about it. I will cherish all the memories that I have there and will continue to be in prayer for the people that I have met and for the country itself. I thank God every day for the time I got to spend there, the moments I got to experience, and the people I got to meet. The people of Southern Africa blessed me more than I could ever bless them. So, I’ll end this blog with not goodbye Africa but see you sometime soon. <3
