A Lot Going On

• There has been a lot going on here. The Byrnes took me to Lusaka last weekend, and we had fun there. It's a city of 2 million and very few traffic lights. The malls are very American and so is the food. We went to the Agricultural Show, where every country in Africa brings things to sell. I got a purse from Nigeria among other things. It was an experience bartering for a price and having every seller run to me because I'm white. It's very strange to stick out so much. (Ok, more than normal). The four-hour ride there was marked with many smells. We had a dog in the back to give to a pastor there. Let's just say, the windows were rolled down a lot. It was a good trip, and it was interesting to see the big city of Zambia.
• We had a Bible Club this week out at the church. I taught the Bible story and helped out. I discovered I have no great desire to teach. I enjoy teaching children that I know in my church, but this just scared me. I did a lot of praying and studying. Andrea became my practice dummy and that helped. I learned how to teach long enough, and by the end I felt pretty confident. I appreciate your prayers; they have been a great comfort to me through everything. I know that God was in the lessons.
• I wish I was better at explaining what God has done for me this past month. He put me in a place completely out of my comfort zone with people that I wouldn't normally be around so that I had to rely on Him. Everyone always talks about God "being your best friend," but I always thought that was a little off. Who actually runs to God when you could run to a person? I never did, and here I had to do that. God had to be my closest friend because He was the only option, and He is the best thing that will ever happen to me. He is teaching me so much through experiences, people, and good books. (I highly recoment Humility:True Greatness by C. J. Mahaney. It changed my entire view on the subject). I've learned the value of talking to myself instead of listening. Every time I get discouraged or homesick, I think about all God did to get me here and all the people that are praying for me. It has helped me have a good attitude about every little thing that happened. I miss home, but it doesn't make me sick. I want things, but it doesn't overwhelm me. Do you know what I mean?
• Please continue to pray for the Byrne's. They're going through a lot, but I know that God has something great for them at the end of it. I feel bad leaving them, and I wish I could always be here to help them. Please pray for them.
• I will be home in ONE week. Wierd, huh? It feels like this has been my whole life, and the world of TV, Internet, and fast food was a dream. It feels like Philadelphia was just a place I used to live. Don't get me wrong, I miss it. I can't wait to worship with Bethel, laugh with Jess, Brenda, Amanda, Jeanette, and Gabby, do crazy things with my youth group, fight with Doug over who does the dishes, and talk theology and life with Mom and Dad. (Don't tell anyone, but I also can't wait to get back to my school. I can't wait to see all of my friends there and get involved in things at school again. ; )) It feels like time has slowed down as I wait. Sometimes I think that the dream will never become real, that this is it. Then I get an email from my mom, and I know that home isn't all that far away. Wow. Home.