Guy Fawkes

So yesterday was Guy Fawkes day and even though it's not a South African holiday it is still celebrated within the country. I am not exactly clear of the meaning or origin of the holiday, all I know is that one year ago yesterday, a man lit a tire on fire and dragged it down the street and then abandoned it. I remember looking out the window with my friend Melissa freaking out because we weren't sure what was going on, and frankly we thought it was some weird voodoo ritual. Anyways, I was thinking about that night and began to miss days gone by. It breaks my heart to think that in a few months I will have been home for a WHOLE year!! The longer I'm home the more I miss Africa. I think I see some study abroad in my future :) But what follows is a list of the top ten things I miss about Africa:

10. The food - It's odd that I say this, but I actually do miss the food. I miss the rice and grilled cheese and apple snap soda! I found that I loss a decent amount of weight, simply because I was no longer bombarded with fast food and greasy food everywhere I turned. The Commons needs to step it up!
9. Cafe Kima - Their cake and coffee was delicious!! $4 for an enormous slice of cake and a latte. I can't even get a latte for $4 let alone with a piece of cake!
8. The base - I miss the comraderie of constantly seeing everyone. I will admit, it got tight and was difficult to find quiet time but it was so easy to find someone to talk to when you needed it!!
7. The adventure - Even though life in Africa became somewhat normal and routine, there was always the air of adventure. Be it going on a safari or cliff jumping, I experienced more adventure in six months than most people ever will in a lifetime.
6. My one on one - Ashlee Krull was the loudest person I have ever met! She is crazy, a little obnoxious, incredibly outgoing, and insanely crazy. It was comforting to be able to talk to someone who reminded me a bit of my sister, came from the same culture as me (she is also a Texan) and has a similar past and is able to relate. I miss our chats over at Cafe Kima over cake and coffee and visitng her at the Sunflower. (With her screaming like we were lifelong friends reuniting, every time we stopped by)
5. The CHOCOLATE! - I know that this is the third food related point in my list (most likely because my stomach is growling as I write this) but seriously, this chocolate was so good. Behind internet and souveneirs I think I spent most of my money on Top Deck (chocolate). Milk chocolate with a top deck of white chocolate that melts in your mouth in the size of a gumbo bar for only $1? YES PLEASE!!
4. All of the spirtuality - Americans (well North Americans) have a way of being incredibly reserved. You learn that crying is weakness, not to show your emotions and not to get overly passionate about God. Yet, Africa has fully embraced this and challenges the logic of why we reserve ourselves. One of my first days in Africa people were encountering the Holy Spirit, shaking, laughing, fainting, and crying. And though it was terrifying it was eye opening and challenged me to break out and really try to understand the Holy Spirit and the unexplainables of Christianity that so often us westerners try to shove in a box and explain away.
3. The children - OH MY WORD!! I miss the children! I miss kids running up to me on the streets simply to give me a hug. I miss kids begging to braid my hair, simply because it was different. I miss kids rubbing my skin because they were astonished by the fairness of it in comparison to their beautifully delicate coffee colored skin. I miss kids laughing at me and my accent or silly words. I miss their beautiful and joyful laughs filling neighborhoods seemingly everywhere you went. I miss being able to play with them and let them know that they are loved, a message that is often not received at home.
2. Tannie Petro - The mother (to translate literally my Auntie Petro) I so desperately needed on this trip and the divinely sent angel who restored so much of the trip. I don't think I could write an entire book about Petro and have said enough good things about her. This woman is the most compassionate, yet bold, woman you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. Petro not only stepped in my DTS to help lead our outreach but sacrificed her plans of travelling to Brazil to help us out! I don't know many people that would do that. And even those that would, if they would do it with the same joy and passion that radiates from Petro. She was an inspiration and drill sergeant, challenging me to become a better person. Advocating for my team that had already lost so much. And on top of it all, one of her first weeks with us, she served us communion and washed our feet! Talk about a true servant!! She never once expected anything from us expect unabashed love for our Creator and his people, her leading the example! I love you Tannie Petro!! :)
1. My team - I know that those six months were hard and there was a lot of hurt, but the friendships gained are irreplacable and when it comes down to it what made the trip so great. My realtionships with Melissa and Renette are the foundations upon which we made it through the DTS. I know this all sounds so hokey and I apologize, however, I don't know how else to express my gratitude to these ladies. Some of my favorite memories revolve around the relationships that I built with my team including, but not limited to: New Years Eve in Hong Kong playing board games and spending time in prayer, going to Victoria's Peak with Melissa and Renette, walking to Steer's for ice cream, watching LOST with Justin and Melissa, and hanging out with Renette at "Auntie Gertie's" in Cape Town.

I so badly want to go back, and it's hard, wanting to just quit school and hang out in Africa for the rest of my life with the children. I know, though, that this is where God wants me to be so for now I will be patient and wait for the next time I get to go back. (Lord, please make it soon!!!)

Q: Why isn't gambling allowed in Africa?
A: Because of all the cheetahs! :)