Rachel's Reflections

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for what we have, but for me it has also always been a time to be with family. This year I knew would be very different so I tried to plan ahead with my housemate Lauren.  We ended up going to another missionary families home with a few other Americans to celebrate Thanksgiving dinner. ( thankful for all the delicious food and everyone who contributed) I'm thankful we were able to have that time of fellowship. It meant a lot to me, being away from physical family, to have that spiritual family united with one purpose: to serve our Lord where He has called us. One of the other families there that night have been working with the Mwani people in another town for around six years. It was captivating listening to their stories, their knowledge, their experience, and their heart for these people. I was encouraged to hear how God has been working and is continuing to work in their hearts and lives. I'm thankful  for ...

Wednesday: Just a regular team meeting, or so I thought. Suddenly my heart tightened as Ana told me they had already sold everything and would be leaving in less than a week. My closest friend in Pemba, the one who always understands how I'm feeling, who has always been there for me whenever I needed someone. Her son Theo, my favourite little boy to play with, who calls me "auntie". Her husband, Jhonatan who changed my flat tire when I got stuck and protected me from creepy guys. Leaving. On Tuesday. I had been trying to process the news of their decision to leave for family reasons back home. But thought I had more time to spend together before saying goodbye. I tried to hold it together during the team meeting, but during prayer time I couldn't do it. Here I am, responsible for the remaining team members who are still new and adjusting to life in Pemba and all I could do was weep. After everyone else left I went to my room and cried out to God. I can't do t...

I called out to Mama R as I walked into her yard my first day back in Pemba. She responded from inside her house, asking if it was one of the neighbors. As she came out the door and spotted me she said "it is you!" and gave me a hug (which I've never seen her do before). (the view from my first week back in Pemba) When the church service ended several of my friends came over to greet me, welcoming me back, and giving me hugs. Mama S sat up with a big grin on her face,  despite having a cold and a headache,  as she saw me coming.  Mama J was bubbling with excitement as I stopped in to visit her with Lauren. These are the reasons why I love living in Pemba. What makes it worth coming back after being gone for a month. What I miss when I'm away. What makes difficulties or unexpected leadership responsibilities easier to deal with. Yes, I said unexpected leadership responsibilities... My team leader and family are now in the U.S. raising support until the...

My heart was racing. My head was pounding. Dashing down the hall, up the stairs, and into my room, I grabbed my backpack and started throwing essentials in. Passport, money, change of clothes, good shoes, vaccine history card, other important documents, snacks, water, toiletries. Less than 6 minutes later I was racing back down the stairs to meet up with the rest of the group. That was a drill during our safety and security session at the Africa Based Orientation training I have been attending the past three weeks. I succeeded in grabbing almost everything our security officer had on her list of important things needed in a To Go Bag in case of emergency or evacuation. (A ready dad during our security drill) I tucked my hair underneath the scarf covering my head and shoulders as we walked toward the imposing building to observe a typical, afternoon prayer time and listen to the leader explain about his religion. Part of learning about one of the major world religions prevale...