I am so sorry for not updating this very often. I have been back in the states for 2 weeks and I have returned to Birmingham and am working again. I have been super busy since I have gotten back with a last minute road trip with my sister to Knoxville to see my cousin's new house and moving my sister into her first apartment in Athens. I have to say it was an adjustment coming back. Part of me really really wanted to stay longer and another part of me was ready to be home. I really learned a lot on my trip about myself and about others. There were times of frustration and sadness and there were times of joy and laughter. By the end of my trip I could understand most of what was said, but there were still some mix ups. The last day that I was in Liberia I went to an orphanage that I normally did not visit on Tuesdays. One of the girls was telling me about how she hurt her knee. I thought she said it had been burned. So I sent my driver to go get burn supplies from the house. About 5 minutes later I noticed some commotion outside and everyone was heading toward the kitchen. There was a huge oil fire in the kitchen that was getting out of control. I started gathering kids away from the fire when all of a sudden there was an explosion. My first thought was oh my goodness there are probably a lot of people who got hurt because there were still people in the kitchen. Only one kid ended up getting his eye burned pretty badly, but he was able to still see and they took him to the eye hospital. By this time the driver was back with burn supplies which was originally for what I had heard was a burn but turned out to be a scrape. And then the burn supplies were needed. It is crazy how God works sometimes.
That same day I went to check on Emmie the girl previously mentioned. Her head was healing nicely from the chemical burns and she seemed really happy with the people she had bonded with in her new home. She is still in need of prayers of healing.
I have had a lot of going back and forth with God about what to do after I graduate while I was in Africa and when I got home. I have officially come to the conclusion that it is not up to me and all I can do is come to God with my desire and pray that He will lead the way. I know I want to work with babies and eventually I might go somewhere across the world long term but past that I have no idea what is going to happen after graduation.
I also learned that fear and anxiety are not of God. There were really not any moments when I did not feel safe in Liberia. There were some time of doubt after the man who worked next door was shot by armed robbers one night and ended up dying. That night I was anxious, but I think a lot of it was the adrenaline rush from all of the commotion. I learned that prayer is essential and praises are crucial. Time with God is as important as staying hydrated and serving others is a blessing. Hearing rough news from back in the states about a friend brought me to my knees and that is when I realized that I really could not do anything and God was the only one with power and control. Worry was useless and prayers were all the help I could offer.
Thank you so much for all of the prayers and the support. I could not have done this without it. I am ready for my last semester to start and eager about all the new things to come.
That same day I went to check on Emmie the girl previously mentioned. Her head was healing nicely from the chemical burns and she seemed really happy with the people she had bonded with in her new home. She is still in need of prayers of healing.
I have had a lot of going back and forth with God about what to do after I graduate while I was in Africa and when I got home. I have officially come to the conclusion that it is not up to me and all I can do is come to God with my desire and pray that He will lead the way. I know I want to work with babies and eventually I might go somewhere across the world long term but past that I have no idea what is going to happen after graduation.
I also learned that fear and anxiety are not of God. There were really not any moments when I did not feel safe in Liberia. There were some time of doubt after the man who worked next door was shot by armed robbers one night and ended up dying. That night I was anxious, but I think a lot of it was the adrenaline rush from all of the commotion. I learned that prayer is essential and praises are crucial. Time with God is as important as staying hydrated and serving others is a blessing. Hearing rough news from back in the states about a friend brought me to my knees and that is when I realized that I really could not do anything and God was the only one with power and control. Worry was useless and prayers were all the help I could offer.
Thank you so much for all of the prayers and the support. I could not have done this without it. I am ready for my last semester to start and eager about all the new things to come.
