I cannot believe that just a couple of weeks ago I was in Africa, the continent of my dreams.  Since I was young thats all I ever wanted to do.  I didn't want to be rich or famous, I didn't invest in talents or hobbies, all I could think about was Africa.  I wanted to bring hope to the hopeless.  So here I am, back in Sheboygan Wisconsin and it feels like it was all just a dream, it feels as though I never even left.  But I did, I spent 8 months in Africa and I wouldn't trade a minute of it for the world. 

   I always had this idea that I would step off of the plane and immediately fall in love with the people of Africa, I pictured my entire time in Africa as a spiritual high in which I had a continual supply of love pouring out of me.  It was rough when a couple weeks into ministry I realized it was not that way.  African children can get on my nerves just as much as American children can.  There were days I felt I didn't have any love in me.  It took me far too long to realize that in and of myself I do not have the love that is required of me, it's only through Christ that we can love.  As time went by I started to see the people, not as a ministry project, but as my friends, my family.  They were no different than you and I.  They stole my heart away and a peice of me will always be in Jeffreys Bay South Africa.  This past year was not easy by any means, I am grateful for that.  God did not want us to have a good time in Africa and that be all, He wanted to shape us.  He didn't want us to just learn things as head knowledge, but He placed us in the fire and allowed us to experience His truth.  The death of my friend and teammate Sarah Buller changed me in a way that I could have never experienced through words on a page.  God has taught me that our lives are just a moment, we are NEVER guarunteed another heart beat, we are NOT invincable.  This should not cause us to be always fearful or avoiding death but rather give each day everything you've got.  Don't live with regrets and never leave a person at odds.  Love with your entire heart and do everything for the glory of God.  God didn't intend for us to stay on this earth so why do we cling to every opportunity to prolong our stay?  We aren't meant for this place, we have a heavenly calling and the end of this life will be the most beautiful day ever, the day we run into the arms of the One who holds our hearts.  

   Africa was amazing, I loved it, and I will never forget the things I have been taught there.