It happens. We have good moments and difficult moments (or days or weeks). When I first came to Africa, a missionary here encouraged us to refrain from facebooking/tweeting/announcing during emotional highs. Give them time. I'm grateful for this advice. As I reflect on the past three months of Africa-living, I smile at God's grace and mercy. Life can be grueling, scary, humorous, and breath-takingly enjoyable.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6, ESV)
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Spontaneous date with Josh: capturing lightning in Northern Ghana
(Taken by Joshua Wagner) |
I've definitely had high moments...
meeting people who are so different, yet so similar.
seeing people's faces light up as I speak their language.
eating delightful mangos, pineapples, and avocados.
uncontrollably smiling as I watch my sweet boy discover DIRT!
witnessing my husband guide our son in his first steps on his own at 8 months.
watching my son laugh hysterically at my chasing of chickens.
getting news of a house found in Sierra Leone for our family.
cooking our comfort food - rice and curry.
watching lightning flash through the clear night sky with my love.
receiving starbucks coffee and chocolate from our supervisor traveling from the US.
hearing praise for tying Elijah on my back the Ghanaian way.
watching my (and my husband's) dreams come alive.
hearing the Word spoken in another mother tongue. Beautiful.
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| Tying E on my back in Northern Ghana (Taken by Joshua Wagner) |
I've also had a share of lows...
chasing chickens out of my kitchen.
not understanding anything said around me or knowing anyone around me.
desperately missing church services and liturgy in my heart language.
hand-washing poopy diapers, as my knuckles become raw and I'm pouring sweat.
being stuck without toilet paper.
throwing up Sunday morning from food poisoning, dehydration, or who-knows-what.
watching my Josh lose 15lbs in one week, living on oral rehydration solution and yogurt.
treating my 9mo-old for malaria.
being in a different country from my love for two weeks.
soaking food in bleach.
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| Keeping E entertained while washing diapers (Taken by Joshua Wagner) |
I love my life. I love Africa.
I'm so grateful for this time of learning, thriving, and refining.
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| The daily grind (Taken by Joshua Wagner) |
