Travelling to Zim

What do you see...? Sometimes all we see is dry bones in our lives but God comes and breathes life! Ez 37. (Zimbabwe, Bulawayo.)

I went on my first missions trip when I was 15, with a busload of young adults whom I did not know, to the heart of Africa.

Malawi.

I got baptized there, at the lake. In my pink dress. It was the prettiest dress I owned as a teenager- long and soft and pastel pink. Afterwards, it shimmered like the rest of the lake.

God took me to the heart of Africa (as Malawi is known), so that He could put Africa in my heart. It was the start of many trips across Africa and as a South African, I am thankful for each and every opportunity I have had to visit other countries on this continent- His continent! 

I have so many magical memories. Given by God, only to me. My past. My moments. My story. But, it is for HIS GLORY.

Recently we went to visit a church in Zimbabwe and it was the first missions trip that we took our kids with! As a family, it stretches and challenges each individual but in the end, we came back far richer than before. The greatest riches are the stories and lives of those we met. 

We all have a unique, one-of-a-kind story. And each one is beautiful and can bless someone else. But often, our own perceptions and attitudes stop us from viewing our story through our Creator's eyes. We often get stuck at how "mundane, "boring", "uneventful" our lives are, instead of seeing each day as another moment to make memories for His glory- even if it is laundry day!

One of my favorite quotes mention: "Two men look through bars, one sees mud; the other stars." We can choose to see the stars in our story or we can get stuck-up on all the mud.

The question is, what are you looking at? Are you lifting your head to see Jesus? In light of His choice, we can only respond with gratefulness and thankfulness for His gracious gift of life. 

Today, I choose life. I choose to live like someone who chose life! I choose to live like someone who LOVES the choice I made to live my life, alive, alight, out loud!

Bring on the dirty clothes!