Africa is...

"AFRICA is amazing. Africa is a million and one things. It is a land of contradictions, and a land of great controversy. Africa is more diverse than any other place on the planet. It has experienced the greatest combination of foreign thievery and foreign goodwill. It is plagued with individuals who are hurting, dirty and dying. It is plagued with rich leaders. It is strong, joyful and resilient. Africa is filled to the brim with song, dance and soccer. It fills your lungs with life with every burnt breath. It fills your eyes with tears with every sight. The sun blazes, the rain pours. It has more sky than your eyes could possibly take in. Africa is humbling. Africa rips the heart out of your chest and buries it in the rich red soil, knowing that you will someday return, to see the growth. And there is no doubt it will grow. Africa is dangerous, welcoming and addictive. It is prosperous. It is poor. It is all too overwhelming. Africa knows the value of friendship. Time is not money in Africa. And money goes a long way. Africa holds a mirror up to your soul - letting you see all your selfish desires, and not letting go, until you're completely broken."
(stolen from Katy's blog...but is my experince exactly..this is why I cannot stay away.)

Today God has broken me and humbled me once again. I am AMAZED at His people, His ways of connecting us are unthinkable, He never does things the same way twice. I stand in awe of Him.

My friend Monica came to give me a donation for my trip. She told me that a very close friend of hers passed away just days ago in a car accident. Josh was a servant of Christ who had been on multiple mission trips, the most recent I believe, to Kenya. At his funeral Monica said that they showed video clips and pictures of his life and one just completely struck her. It was Josh surrounded by a crowd of Kenyan children. She said she immediately thought of me. (Yes, I was holding back a well of tears at this point as she was talking;) She made a generous donation to the trip in honor of Josh's life. He was 26 years old. (Not coincidence that we were the same age I think!) I hope that like Josh, I will have a legacy to leave on this earth some day. We have no idea how the simple actions of our lives can effect eternity.
Humbled by His grace and mercy today,
Mel :)