Things I learned on the African Mission field this last year...

• Keep the Gospel simple “This command I give you, Love one another.” People are so hungry for love. I saw the joy that I brought my sweet Mozambiquan leper friends and that they brought me…
• I realized I kinda like eating the fried white ants
• I saw it’s so key to not let myself get offended by others and to seek to be ‘un-offendable’ like Jesus lived. It may seem unrealistic, but it’s the Gospel. I can’t let those hurts rule my heart as it will eat away at me and I will miss the beauty in the situation.
• I learned we actually can love our enemies. The opportunity of loving and treating in the Nuba clinic the patients who were killing people in Darfur was life changing, yet strange, and hard to explain.
• I realized I really, really, really miss eating my Mom's bran muffins when in Africa
• I experienced the importance of being myself, being fully Catholic and praying for unity in the whole Body. I can feel how much unity in the Body is burning on God’s heart
• I can see my love for those with leprosy is so given by God and that He has a plan for me to serve them in some way at some point in my life.
• It was so cool to experience how ready God is to heal the sick, keep dying children from dying, and encourage people. And what a privilege this year to literally see the blind see, lepers cleansed, almost dead come alive and the lame leaping and hugging me with joy! God, you are so nice!
• I saw how generous people around the world are who donate $20,000 per month to help 800 Mozambiquan malnourished kids live healthier
• There are so many people around the world who have no idea that there is a God or people who love them so much. They are living in such suffering, fear, physical pain, bound to witchcraft and in utter isolation. I grew in compassion for these many tribes from so many nations who could be so much more happy and free if they had hope and confidence that God is greater than their fears and a ready help in their difficulties. I also realized more than ever there are so few Christians willing to ‘Go’ and reach out to Muslims and those who have never heard or seen the love of God. Pray for more courageous missionaries to go!
• I’ve learned that I’m not as physically strong as when I was in my 30’s which is quite humbling. But that doesn’t mean I’m not called to missions, just that I have to take care of myself and also trust God that He knows every hair on my head and if He calls me, He will provide and sustain me.

And lastly but most importantly…
• I learned to long for God to be my primary treasure… not the lepers, not my mission team mates, not my family or friends, not chocolate and icecream (though those are great things!) and certainly not the good works that I do. Him alone. Loving and worshiping Him with all my heart and resting in His love for me have to be my primary goal and aim.

What did you learn from your life this last year?
I'd love to hear!

Thanks from the Africans and myself for your prayers and donations this past year!