One constant

As I sat down this morning to spend time in God’s Word, it hit me.  I only have two days left in Dar es Salaam.  Two short days.  Forty-eight hours (give or take a few).  That’s it.  That is all I have left in this place that God has called me to spend the last 5 months of my life in.  What a surreal feeling.  What a bittersweet reality.

So often in my time here I have I longed to be back at home with the luxuries of my country that I have so clearly taken for granted.  So often I have craved air conditioner, clean water, consistent electricity, Internet, and water, clean produce that I don’t have to fear becoming ill after consuming, and the thought of not having to take medication every day to lessen the odds of contracting malaria from the mosquitoes that constantly feast upon my body. 

So often I have longed to be able to walk out my front door and jump in my car to go to the grocery store and buy whatever my stomach desires, or pick up my phone and call a friend to share what God is doing in and through me, or cuddle up next to Rob while watching a movie, or seek wise counsel from a mentor when I am having a tough day and could use some guidance.

All of these things I have taken for granted and all of these things I have longed for at some point in my time here in Africa.  But then I think about what I will miss when I return home and I am sweetly reminded of the luxuries that I have had here and hope to never take for granted… 

Walking out my apartment door to a chorus of children chanting “Teacher Webber” (teecha wayba) and running full-speed at me

constant smiles and laughter

endless hugs and kisses and nakupenda’s (I love you’s)

walking down the dirt road that leads to our apartment and being greeted with a smiling “Mambo” by every African that passes

women walking down the streets with baskets full of produce on their heads while their babies are strapped on their backs with a colorful kanga

Friday night Bible study with the girls filled with worship, prayer, teaching, and fellowship

one on one meetings with the girls that I walk away from being so encouraged and refreshed by their desire to know Christ in a deeper and more intimate way

week day mornings spent at the primary school soaking wet in sweat as I jump around singing Father Abraham with children and teaching them about Jesus

the splendor and glory of God’s creation all around me from the magnificent Indian Ocean to the variety of different people groups represented here

Such are the joys of my daily life in Tanzania.  Everyday is different, every day is exciting but through it all there is one constant – God.  His grace, His love, and His mercy are so evident in every minute of every day here. The simplicity of this place and the lack of so many luxuries I am accustomed to back home have driven me to depend on God in a different way that I have ever before.  Dependence on Him in my every struggle and my every victory.  Not on Rob, not on my family or friends, not on my mentors, not on my comforts, but on God.  This is where John 15 has come alive and incredibly real for me...

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches.

Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit,

for apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5

He says, “abide in ME”… not religion, not church, not friends, family, or your job or money.  But ME.  Oh the simple, straightforward instruction He has given us here.  But oh the difficulty we find in it when we are so consumed with the comforts, pleasures, and stuff of this world that we are unable to see the only way that we are able to do anything of any eternal value or worth.  So this is where I rest.  Abiding in Christ.  Abiding in Him in Africa as I dread and fear saying goodbye to the people that have become so dear to me.  And abiding in Him as I return home to embark on the next journey He has for me.  No matter where God has me or takes me, this I know, I must abide in Him.

 Birthday dinner with the girls

 Bible Study

 Sweet Delphine and Kamphat

On the ferry heading to South Beach

 Miriam and I being silly at my birthday dinner celebration

 South Beach with the girls

 Nate, teaching our Bible Study on relationships from a godly man's perspective

 Meeting Asha's one week old baby brother for the first time

 Asha enjoying some "pipi" (sweets) that I brought her while having her hair braided

 Wish I could bring this girl home with me!

Sweet neighbor tending to her cows

 Mama carrying her baby on her back

 Beautifully colored kangas

 Another visit to Asha's home

Ochu and all of my babies waiting for me :)

Some of the children I have been so blessed to teach and love on

skipping off to "dining" for some morning porridge 

Vero refusing to let go of me while I take pictures :)

Nancy and me

My sweet Usraf waiting on her porridge to cool 

Junior

 Boys will be boys... no matter what continent they live on :)

 Teacher Anna & Teacher Nancy dressing me up in my new African "gear"

 My new kangas and sandals from Anna & Nancy

 My Tanzanian sisters in Christ - GOD IS GOOD!!

Anna in the bajaji with her new fan and home supplies that I gave her

Happy feet 

As I have begun to pack and prepare to return to the U.S. I have been able to reflect on my time here and the incredible and constant encouragement I have received from friends and family back home.  I am absolutely humbled by all of your prayers, emails, letters, and uplifting facebook messages that you have sent.  You have shared with me in carrying my burdens and shared with me in celebrating victories in my time here.  Even when I have not been able to respond or thank you for weeks at time or even ever, you have still been faithful to encourage and pray for me.  This has been a beautiful picture of the body of Christ in action for me.  Thank you.  Thank you for your financial and prayerful support to help me take the gospel to and make disciples of Christ in Tanzania.  God has been so faithful and merciful to hear our prayers and has blessed me abundantly along the way.  I pray that you too are blessed in knowing that you have played a significant role in making all of this happen!  

Nakupenda, Mungo akubarike!  (I love you and God bless you)