"November 12, 2010
This is it everyone. Today is my last day in South Africa! It feels like I’m having an outer-body experience. It’s very much that bizarre, almost sickening feeling, like you don’t know what’s quite real and if this is really your life. It’s been an adventure to say the least. I feel like the adventure of over now, but it really isn’t. The chapter of “South Africa” is now over in my story, but I know that the adventure will continue in other parts of the world, even Kansas...
I didn’t meet my wife here, but I think that’s a good thing. I know where my priorities are and where I get my value- it’s all from Jesus. It wasn’t there before and I cared way too much about what people thought of me. I still do some of course, but not as much. I’m slightly concerned that I may not care enough about people anymore, and I've maybe lost seeing the value in relationships, so I’m going to try to be aware of that.
I’m excited for what’s next. It will be a good time to reconnect with my family and maybe help out with church somehow for a few months, and then I’m off to Wales for a year, if it’s God’s will. I’m going to miss it here though. The people, the land, the weather, the food, the kids, pretty much all of it- except for the Nomad rules. It’s been great overall, I had a few low points, but you can’t rate happy without sad on the chart. I know I’ve changed and I know that God has worked through me to change many lives.
God, You are so awesome. Thank You so much for these past 10 months. Thank You for using me and for the friends I’ve made here. Most of all thank You for You and for our friendship growing closer in South Africa!"
"November 12, 2011
Today is a special day for me, it’s the one year anniversary of my return from Africa!... Wow, it’s been a year… Honestly, I didn’t think I would be in Kansas right now a year ago, I thought I’d already be in Wales
Looking back at this year, I don’t know if I’ve really given all that I could have. Lived with abandon to Christ like I should. Grown closer to Him like I should… But at the same time I’ve learned a lot. I’ve been blown away by God’s provision once again, raising my budget for Wales in 9 months, and it wasn’t even an intense effort. I remember coming to the realization this summer that God loves me, yeah, for real. I’ve known it, but it became so much clearer to me. I’ve learned to read the bible better, even though I continually need to put more effort into that.
Overall, I think the thing that I’ve learned the most through this year back in Kansas is that I need to trust God and realize that it’s Ok to not be in active ministry for a while. God loves me and I love Him. That’s what really matters. He’s more concerned with me than what I think I can do for Him…. This year hasn’t been quite as “exciting” as last year, but it’s all a part of the grand journey God has for my life. The key to that journey is sharing it, sharing it with Jesus. Part of me really wants to be sharing this journey with my wife (wherever she is), but I have to realize that sharing it with Jesus is so much more important. He is always with me, she won’t be.
God, thank You for these past 2 years and what’s happened. The crazy adventures in Africa: living with zebras and giraffes in my back yard, taking a zip-line across Victoria Falls, climbing Table Mountian, doing silly dramas in front of thousands of kids... My daily adventures back in Kansas: reading with kids, breaking up fights, washing all of my roommates’ dirty dishes, taking online bible classes, playing with my camera… I’m thankful for it all. You changed me so much in Africa, I’m still realizing how I’ve changed to this day. I cherish those memories, but I’m not going to live in the past and how you spoke to me then. This is today, and I am thankful that You are with me and speaking to me now. That You love me and want me. That You’ve chosen me to be a witness for You and to share Your love, it’s such an honor! I’ll never forget Africa, but I’ll never forget this year either. Thank You for the journey, for traveling it with me, and most of all for being my guide!
Right now as I'm looking back over the past 2 years I’m taking the last drink of my last bit of Five Roses Tea from South Africa. 2010 was a great year, 2011 has been great, and I know that 2012 and whatever follows that will be as well. Why? Because God loves me and He’s the one writing the story."
God bless!
