Some days...

Some days it's hard to believe that I'm half way across the world from the country that I've always called home.

Some days I dream of the chilly Iowa autumn with colorful leaves swirling to the ground and warm Mexican Mochas.

Some days I miss my friends and family, the long heart-to-heart talks, and the crazy moments.

Some days...

But EVERY DAY I am so glad that I am here. Even in the difficult moments, I am so glad to be right here in Africa – right where I know that God has called me to be for this time. I am blown away at how God can take people from so many different cultures and countries, and make them into a family. I love the people here! God is so good, and I'm amazed at all He is doing.

A Heart Full of Joy

Well, it's now the end of week three of my time in Africa, and I love it. God is working in some pretty amazing ways, and although it has been hard at times, I'm so glad that I'm here.

Yesterday I took my camera along with me to a feeding program in one of the nearby communities, and I left with a memory card full of smiles and a heart overflowing with joy. The kids love having their picture taken, and it brought me so much joy to see the joy that it brought to their faces.

God is so good, and it is exciting to see what He is doing here in Africa through ministries like Ten Thousand Homes. He is bringing hope into a world of hopelessness and light into the darkness. I'm in awe at His amazing compassion and love, and so excited to be a part of what He is doing.

If you would like to read more about my time in Africa, you can visit my trip blog at rebekah-mae.blogspot.com. I try to post there at least once a week if possible, and also include lots of photos!

Greetings from South Africa!

As I write this I am on South African soil.

The past few days have been full of good-byes, flights, layovers, and more flights. At times it feels very real, and at other times it feels like I could wake up at any moment and find that it is all a dream. It's been an exciting adventure, and it's hard to believe that it's only just begun!

I can't guarantee many posts, because I want to be fully focused on the time that I have here. I'm not leaving this blog forever...I just may not be very consistent over the next 5 months. I really do enjoy posting stories, photos, and thoughts here, and hope to get back into it once I'm in the US again. Actually, a little bit of a break will be good for me!

It's exciting to see how God has worked up to this point, and I trust that He will continue to work in and through my time in Africa. Let the adventure begin!