Rachel's Reflections

I arrived safely in South Africa Wednesday evening and have had a wonderful time so far, although I was a little jet lagged on Thursday.  I am leaving Monday morning for Mozambique (traveling by bus). Please pray for safety as I travel.  Friday night I had the opportunity to go to youth at the church I attended most of last year. It was so great to see everyone again! A few of the girls were not expecting to see me and their reactions were priceless. :)  One of the missionary families in Mozambique is here for the weekend, on their way to the airport tomorrow afternoon. They are leaving for Brazil for their furlough. I am really glad I got to talk with them today before they leave for a few months, and I got to practive my Portuguese.  My accountability partner/best friend and roommate from last year came to visit me this weekend!!! :) What a joy to my soul to see her again after 3 months. We have talked a lot, updated each other on how our lives have been going,...

On Tuesday I board a plane for Africa and land in Johannesburg, South Africa on Wednesday. Why did I have to wait so long? God knows the full answer but a few blessings inlcude: extra time with family and friends, having several much needed conversations, seeing my brother interact with his new girlfriend, and spending time with my first Portuguese tutor. There are still other areas of my life where I am waiting to see what God will do. It is hard to wait, but I frequently go back to this poem and am reminded of God's most precious answer. He has a purpose in all He does, including extended periods of waiting.  Wait by Russell Kelfer Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate And the Master so genlty said, "Wait" "Wait? You say wait?" my indignant reply "Lord, I need answers, I need to know why! Is Your hand shortened? Or have you not heard? By fait...

Departure Date: February 21 Arrival Date in Johannesburg: 22 February Possible Date for Maputo: 27 February Torn. Divided.  My heart has longed to return to my African home. I miss all of my friends and family in the Lord.    How is my desire so great to return to Africa when I have been with family and friends in the U.S.? Why does it feel like I am going home when I have been sitting at home the past several weeks? I was born in Africa; I know and love the culture and the ministry. I am a Third Culture Kid (TCK). I call many places home in two distinct cultures but one day I will have one, true Home with God for all eternity. I am looking forward to being part of the ministry in Mozambique again. I have been keeping in touch with several girls and can't wait to talk with them in person.  My foot  has finally healed enough for travel as long as I am still careful. Please pray for safe travels and a fast adjustment so I can jump back into ministry....

I am still in the U.S. waiting to head back to Mozambique because of an unexpected health issue. Back in December I got blisters on my feet from new shoes. The blisters were healing well until one of them got infected in January. It turned in a staph infection and I was immediately put on antiobiotics. The infection took much longer to heal than the doctor expected and though it's not fully healed yet and I'm still on the antiobiotics he is happy with the progress it has made this past week. My departure date is delayed because of the infection but I am hoping to leave around February 15, Lord willing. Along with the infection I was struggling with my visa situation. I now have a 30 day visa that I am going to try to extend once I arrive in Mozambique. A new intern to South Africa, Nikki, is still waiting for her visa and we hope to fly out together.  My prayer is that I use this extra, unexpected time wisely with family and friends.  It can be hard to sit still and wait...