A Piece of My Heart Will Always Be In Africa

 I can't believe it is almost time to get on the plane and leave South Africa

 We only have 20 days left in this beautiful country

Soon we will be asked to speak about our mission experience in Africa

 

I have wondered, what will I say?

It sounds so cliché to say that a piece of my heart will always be in Africa, but that is how I feel

Each time I take a child's hand in mine

Each time I watch a brilliant sunset

Each time I drive through the bush
and feel the warm African sun on my face  

 I feel a tug at my heart

 

Each time I put my black missionary name tag on 

Each time I walk into the Area Office
and see the faces of all the people I have come to know and love

I feel a tug at my heart

 

A few weeks ago my friend Kathleen came to visit

 and we had a chance to go into the Bush for what would be the last time 

I was filled with gratitude  

With each sunset 

Each time we climbed into the game vehicle

and witnessed God's creations

 I marveled at how blessed we have been
to have experienced such beauty
 

It isn't a surprise that  I have considered

Sunday's in Orange Farm one of the greatest gifts of our mission
It doesn't matter how difficult the week has been
I have always felt renewed, recommitted and full of God's love when I leave Orange Farm 

I am so grateful
for these sweet Angels who truly have stolen my heart
In 20 days I will feel like I have left a piece of my heart with these sweet souls

What will say when I am asked to speak about my mission?

That I know that Heavenly Father is aware
of every detail of our lives
That this mission wasn't really about what we could do for the people of Africa
It was more about my own personal growth
and the lessons I had to learn about myself and my eternal companion
I know that my Heavenly Father knows and loves me and that he wants me to have joy in this life
I know that he knew there would be days that I would be discouraged
I know that he knew there would be difficult tasks for Bruce and I to accomplish
I know that my Heavenly Father believes in me
I know that I can do hard things
I know that he doesn't leave us comfortless
I know that he knows how much I love my family and that I would miss them terribly
I know that he knows that Bruce and I would much rather be in the field working with the people and not in an office all day

I KNOW THAT HE KNOWS BECAUSE

 he gave me beautiful African sunsets
THE WARMS AFRICAN SUN ON MY FACE 
trips to the bush
 great friends
 wonderful people to work with
  a Perfect Companion
who loves me in spite of my weaknesses
and
ORANGE FARM

 

I guess I will say that I left a piece of my heart in South Africa