Nevertheless...

Tanzania Blog Entry 1, Written July 5: Mwanza-   

So, it was suggested to me that I write a blog to share my experience, though in my experience no one reads my blogs or newsletters. Nevertheless I thought it was a good idea and so I will embark!

Here’s an intro to those of you who are new to my life.

I’ve spent the last 14 years as a missionary in amazing Asia. 5 years based out of Hong Kong, and the rest in Chiang Mai, Thailand. 

In this time I definitely learned a thing or two about other cultures, living as a privileged minority (many many times the only white person in a crowd), finding ways to be culturally comfortable in uncomfortable situations. 

So why? In my life I’ve felt that I’ve been blessed with life and an American passport, English as a first language and a rich and loving relationship with Jesus (as well as this hunger for adventure and living life to the fullest). That being the case I want to use this resource of my life to enrich the lives of those who don’t have those same opportunities. Early on I recognized that closeness to Jesus means you start to want the things that he wants. My prayer was to that my heart would beat for the passions of His heart. 

Has it been a sacrifice? More than I ever expected it to be. Has it been extremely rewarding? There are no words to express how much! Not only the amazing parts of the world that I’ve been able to see in such a unique way, but the incredible friendships I’ve formed along the way. The way that I’ve seen whole groups of people experiencing Jesus for the first time— and really become some of the most amazingly fired up Jesus loving people I’ve ever seen. 

Breathtaking things I’ve seen, beautiful people I’ve known, really cool new skills I’ve learned (a little bit of Chinese, and OK Thai, the ability to navigate a bus station in a language I do not know, Thai kickboxing (muay thai), mad cleaning skills thanks to YWAM work duties, the ability to lead a group of people from many different countries in a new country that none of us know without anyone dying or getting arrested, how to study culture and how to teach that ability, how to take a trip on a bus/van/boat/plane to renew a visa in a country I’ve never been to, how to say hello in countless languages and oh so much more). I’ve made friends from so many different countries that I may never go to—and if I do I have a friend there!

The reason I mention all of this is that moving to Africa, Tanzania specifically is extremely influenced by this time of my life. I can imagine it would be a wholly different experience if it was my first new country. Because of that- some things I will be able to take in stride, and other things have already been messed up for me. For example— I realized in one of my many trips in China that I don’t particularly like being “noticed” as a white person. This includes staring, sometimes shouting things or approaching to sell/beg. Therefore, Hong Kong and Thailand were both comfortable places in which to live because that was a rare occasion to be “noticed.” So, when that happened day one of coming to Tanzania— I already knew I didn’t like it and know that it’s probably going to be one of the many hurdles in my life moving forward. I also realized that no matter what, AC is not a luxury in my life— it’s a necessity. As is a washing machine. Does this mean that I’m going to have to learn to be OK without that? I’m not sure. As I am getting older, certain things mean more to me and I feel their absence more. 

Ema, my husband left 6 months ago to start the work here in Tanzania while I was in America trying to finish up raising investment/donations to start our mission into the business world in Tanzania. We had no idea it would take 6 months. We also had no idea that I would be coming to Tanzania without having raised the full amount to start. And in this business there is a minimum— without that minimum it’s difficult to start doing anything. 

It’s been such a wonderful reunion with my husband after way too long of being apart. 

I won't lie, as beautiful and amazing as Tanzania is— it’s also been a bit of a harsh reality check to actually arrive and begin to see what life is like here. 

I’m not sure exactly what this blog will be. 

I will talk about the realities of being an American in Africa. But I want to also talk about waiting on God. I want it to be encouraging to those who decide to read it. Whoever signs on to read will hopefully get to rejoice to long awaited answers to prayers! Triumphs of the Lord. 

My big verses for right now are:

“And Moses said to the people, ‘Fear not, stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord, which he will work for you today… The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.’ Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward.’” Ex 14:13-14 (God says He will fight for us, but we still have to move forward in faith)

“We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Rom 5:3-5

Mwanza at Sunset (Lake Victoria)