Seronga, Botswana was life changing, from teaching a preschool class of 19 crazy kiddos to digging into the word with my 13 beautiful teammates to spending some much needed alone time with my Creator, I had never felt more at home. The presence of God is so real there, you can see and feel Him everywhere. He’s in the joy of the kids, the overwhelming peace while sitting in the sand by the Okavango Delta during sunset, the selflessness of the people who have nothing, and the vast beauty of the millions of stars you can see so clearly at night. He’s everywhere. I fell in love with the children, the people in Africa, living in such a strong community with my teammates, and experiencing God in ways I never had.
Coming back to America was hard. The previous familiar has become so painfully unfamiliar. After 23 hours on 3 different buses, countless number of taxis a 16 hour plane ride followed by another 2 hour plane ride I had finally arrived back in Dallas, and it just didn’t feel right. Driving out of the airport in a nice air-conditioned car on a paved road to my home, where the grocery store is 3 minutes away instead of a 2 hour drive to a ferry that’s hopefully working, felt weird, I felt weird. We’re so comfortable here, everything is so accessible, and somehow we still make life so complicated by getting caught up in all the worldly things, while the people in Botswana have nothing, yet they’re the most joyous people I’ve ever known.
Through the immense poverty I witnessed in Africa God has revealed desires in my heart I didn’t know I had for the unreached. I hold this unwavering conviction that I must do something; I must love them like my Savior loves me. I am no longer blind to the things happening outside the comfort of America.
While I’m thankful for everything God has blessed me with here at home, I would give anything to go back to the simple joy in Africa. During this grieving process of not being in a place I love so dearly, I’m being reminded I can only find my joy in Him alone, so it’s okay that it’s hard right now. Our God is so faithful and I know He will lay things out so I am able to find that simple joy in America. I am thankful for every part of this journey.
