Out of Africa
from We Are That Family
by Kristen

I don’t know who I am.

It’s a startling realization to not recognize yourself: My own voice sounds hollow. My eyes hold a distant stare, remembering all I’ve seen in Africa this past week. My thoughts keep me awake at night.

Just days after I returned, I found my husband carefully watching me. "I don’t feel like I know you," he said softly, beckoning.

"I don’t feel like I know me either," I said.

And I cried.

I feel more than guilt for such an easy life, accessible food, clean water and abundance. I feel aware. The blinders are gone. I can’t pretend I don’t know how the poorest of the poor live. I can’t act like there aren’t children who go to bed hungry. I can’t ignore that 30,000 children die each day from preventable causes.

I can’t stop thinking about Vincent, living as an orphan and father, in squalor. When I close my eyes at night, his face is what I see. I see him in his "home" that’s not fit for an animal.

I see the joy of the Lord in his eyes. Peace. I see Jesus.

I think that is what is so hard. I cannot reconcile his lack of every basic need and such fullness in his heart and life. The two don’t mix.

In America, in my town, in my home and heart, I complain about a dirty house, yard work, needing a "break" from cooking or my children. Every basic need is met, PLUS more luxuries than I can count.

With so much, how can my joy be incomplete?

How is it that I can see true peace in one of the largest slums in the world, where the smell of death is prominent and it’s rare in the most blessed nation?

I’m not sure how to mix these worlds together; how to show my spouse all that I’ve seen and all that my heart holds, or parent my kids without guilt.

I don’t know how to find myself again. I don’t know how to return to my everyday life when children still need to be sponsored. But I’m trying.

I am so thankful for this place, although foreign and uncomfortable, I’m not alone. God is right here with me, leading me into new places.

I may be out of Africa, but it will never be out of me.

Read the entire post, with pictures & comments:

http://www.wearethatfamily.com/2010/03/out-of-africa.html

Dios de esta Ciudad

Cuán Grande Es Él

Fuego de Dios

Tu Eres Santo (Principe de Paz)

http://www.rockhonduras.com/wp/2009/03/07/staying-healthy/
http://www.rockhonduras.com/docs/heat-related-illness.doc
http://www.rockhonduras.com/docs/healthy-tips.doc

Remember the deadline to apply is this Friday.

To Apply:
1. Go to GCLA’s website: www.gclamissions.com
2. Click on Register Online (right column)
3. Select our project from the scroll-down list
4. Fill in the fields (4 pages total)
5. Click Submit at the end.

The January team spent about an hour on Sunday packing supplies for their trip, and sorting through our stash of shoes for our upcoming shoe drive. They are so pumped for their trip!

Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Dear God,

Strengthen our faith
Remove our inhibitions
Help us make the most of every opportunity
Give us a sweet life-altering week
Make our hearts sensitive
Give us a mindset of service
Help us to make a difference
Teach us to rely on You
Make us strong and courageous
Help us to soak up the experience
May we come home with no regrets

Solo Dios Puede Salvar

Cuan Grande Es Nuestro Dios

O Gloriosa Cruz

The top health issues:

• heat-related illness
• sunburn
• dehydration
• food & water-borne illness
• allergies

Start preparing now!

• Take your vitamins
• Eat healthy – remember your food groups, get plenty of protein and fiber!
• Drink plenty of water
• Get plenty of sleep
• Eating live-cultured yogurt daily for a week or two before the trip may help prevent stomach problems

What to bring:

• Sunscreen – lots of it!  SPF 30 or above, Water-proof/sweat-proof – look for "Sport" types
• Antibacterial gels & wipes
• Medicines for basic needs: aches & pain, allergies, stomach upset, motion sickness
• Flavored drink packets.  Some come with vitamins & electrolytes.  Try to get sugar-free and caffeine-free varieties
• Band-Aids and antibiotic ointment

While you’re there:

• Eat healthy
• Drink plenty of water
• Get plenty of sleep
• Protect yourself from the sun
• Use sunscreen – lots of it!  Reapply every 4 hours.
• Wash your hands before eating, use antibacterial soap, gel, or wipes.
• Drink only bottled water, use bottled water to brush your teeth
• In restaurants, don’t take ice in your drink, don’t eat fresh veggies or fruit
• Don’t eat anything that hasn’t been OK’d by team leaders

Links:

• Facts About Sunscreen
• Some Really Good Sunscreens
• How to Prevent & Treat Traveler’s Diarrhea
• How to Prevent & Treat Traveler’s Diarrhea 2
• How to Prevent & Treat Heat Related Illness
• Healthy Travel