When in Rome...

I tried my best to have this mentality when we were in Africa. I don't think you can't fully experience something unless you embrace it with open arms and an open heart. Just for kicks here's a list of things I experienced in Africa.

1. Laugh at yourself when the house mom shows you how to properly eat a mango. And when she does the work of cutting it up for you...every meal.

2. Walk to the bathroom,shower, pass chickens on the way, several times a day.

3. The damn rooster who didn't have a proper alarm clock.

4. Embracing your inner hippie more because you are covered in dirt.

5. Eat food with sand in it.

6. Eat a fish who's staring at me.

7. Let them serve and honor you

8 Keep laughing and smiling

9 Become somewhat tri-lingual in a week

10 Accept the fact there isnt a schedule

Sunrise over Ethiopia

There's something captivating about Africa. For me it began when we saw a sunrise over the continent. It's unlike anything else. Given that I saw my first one from a plane which makes everything "sky related" better. Then it continued until we finally landed and I could not wait to get off the plane. I got a chance to breathe driving through beautiful Rwanda. I saw a bit more of the heart of Africa. The thousand hills are breathtaking. After a lovely 4 hour drive we finally made it to the border. Upon crossing the border, we had to bribe a guy into leaving our things alone. It was frustrating. Driving to the orphanage we had a glimpse of the city, Goma. People everywhere. From what I've been told, in this way it's similar to NYC. Soldiers walking around with guns. Many a close call while driving. This ended up being one of my favorite things about driving in Africa. After a 10 minute drive we finally made it to the orphanage. We were greeted with little ladies singing and playing drums. I practically pushed Q out of the way getting out of the car. Sorry Q...my excitement got the best of me. No hard feelings?. Immediately the kiddos ran to give us hugs. We spent time with them before we crashed. At that point we had been awake for 36 hours. We woke up the next morning for church. I was really anticipating going to an African church for the first time. Most of the service was in Swahili. A big part of church is dedicated to singing and dancing. Repeat X7. What struck me most was how authentic everything is. Half of the people(including children) are on their knees calling out their prayers to the Most High. After church we walked back to our place. There were few times that we didn't have little hands holding ours. Usually you had a little line of hand holding alongside you. I LOVED this. After a very long first day we went to bed early. Our alarm clock started at 3 a.m. by the damn rooster that lives there. To be followed by soldiers marching alongside the place and the girls screaming because of their nightmares. Day 2 came early...we were more than ready to embrace it.

It was the age...

the foxes came for the fields. We were bleeding as we bowed to kneel. Prayed for mercy.Prayed for mercy. She limps on up to the top of a mount. looks at the faltered harvest.feels the sweat in the ground and the burn in her nose.and the knowing in her gut,something's still going to grow.she ain't leaving till it does. -B Fraser

Ironic how certain events in life prevent us from going back to what we once knew. when the crows, locusts, and foxes take everything. The flood that came on May 10th wrecked me. try as i may, I can no longer go back to what i knew before. i almost lost everything 3X. Thanks to a dear friend i didn't. However, I did lose who I was...until i moved into loft 419...until i was asked, "want to go to congo?" Without hesitation i replied i would love to do both. Why on a whim would i do this? To be honest, it is an inkling of who I am. It is a grasp at something that resembles my heart and soul. You see, for the past few months I have walked around in a daze. Being numb to everything. Not really sure who I am anymore but knowing that the Savior will redeem what the crows, locusts and foxes have stolen from me. and that i won't leave until it's finished. i will be in this place for a while. i believe redemption takes time. i believe it can be found in the most unassuming places. such as an orphanage in the congo. this orphanage houses 120 girls who are all former sex slaves. it's all they had known before they came here. now they are slowly able to live life as it's meant to be lived: FREE.

this christmas my roommate/sister/traveling buddy and i will be in the congo. we will be celebrating with these girls. i think we're also going to be doing some research, counseling (that's Q's role),i'm just her assistant. i don't really know all of the details of the trip or i have forgotten them. (i would go with option B) yes i am very aware of the dangers of africa especially the congo. i have read stat after stat. i am not taking this trip lightly. it's hard to take a trip lightly when you have to be invited into the country. Love is greater than fear. Love that etches a continent and a song so deeply on your heart you have to respond. by going to the 3rd most dangerous nation in the world for your first time on african soil. by returning to the states to get a tattoo of the lyrics found above. i may be limping and a bloody mess but i would rather be that while running hard towards what i'm called to do than to do nothing. More to come later...

Taking the long way around...

I have always taken the long way around. It's just how I'm wired. It should come as no shock, that it has taken me years to embrace this. The moment I did though, I had an "aha" moment. Everything became a little more clear. Like I could finally take a long awaited deep breath. I moved to a city(Nashville) 8 years ago that is known for being a 10 year town. Everyone here sort of settles in for the long haul. I love living in a place where it's normal not to take shit from people. Where it's expected to not kiss all the asses you're told to. Oh wait, that's being an adult, but we shall move on. Most people are passing through,like moi. Thank God I am just passing through on my way home. Ironically, I always thought I would settle down in Nashville. I held on to that notion for a while. It made sense in my head but never dug its roots in my heart. i'm convinced that if i quit taking the long way around, i wouldn't find my way home. so if you want to find me, i can still be found taking the long way around. Cheers!