Life: A lot of Love and a lot of Faith

I've spent the last three days at my best friend's house with their dog, which I loved!, but I am happy to be back in my own space with my own bed. I just woke up from a quiet afternoon nap with my cat!.A change of scenery can really help to put things in perspective!

This particular blog post gives me great anxiety, but perhaps that is why I need to write it. I've met new friends, but I have been guarded the last year I as move forward one day at a time. I am feeling very happy and healthy these days. I'm so excited to see what God does in the next year and to see where He leads! I would be amiss to downplay what He has already done.

I first went to South Africa in February 2013. I didn't meet any of the Hands US staff until October 2013 at the Hands US Family Reunion. Going into 2014, I assumed I'd see everyone at the next October event and that was it. But God knew better.

• On July 10, 2014: my father died of a heart-attack with no warning and no prior symptoms.
• On July 15, 2014: I was invited to go back to Africa in 2015 as part of a team.
• Late September 2014: my best friend of over 15 years told me she was pregnant! During this time I was also busy with meetings and assignments for the Communications team as we prepped for George's fall tour!
• October 10-12, 2014: I traveled to Minnesota to see George and to meet the friends and families that support Mwaiseni and Chisamba in Zambia. The one time I knew I'd be with Hands staff in person instead of just a computer screen, but God had other plans! I was already working with the Communications team, but this is when Brooke encouraged me to go to Celebrations, and to be with and learn from the Communications team at the HUB.
• After returning from Minnesota, I joined the symphony band sponsored by the local university's Community Music School. This forced me to play the French horn on a regular basis. It's been awhile, so this has been both challenging and relaxing!
• January 24, 2015: I joined a book study with a new group of ladies. There were old friends and new friends, and baby Liam! Moms of babies, teenagers, and even grown-ups! Women in all sorts of seasons of life. We meet weekly to be together and quiet the chaos, to talk, pray and laugh together. And eat together, we love desserts! 
• February 6-7, 2015: I traveled to New York to see George, Hands staff, and former Hands volunteers.
• After having the chance to be together, Hands US decided to move its prayer meeting time to allow more volunteers and advocates to join in. We meet weekly over Skype to take time out of our hectic lives to sit, be still, and lift up prayers of praise or concern to our Father. It is a time where we can shift our focus from our to-do lists to build each other up and lean on each other.
• March 25, 2015: Communications meetings picked up again. This meant more meetings and more assignments that challenged me to change my routine, step out of my comfort zone and trust that God would make it work for His glory!
• Last November some ladies from church found out that I played the French horn. A few weeks ago I was approached by the choir director(who is also a trumpet player) about forming an orchestra to play during first service. We've played the last two Sundays and it's been fun!
• Since I've been playing with the orchestra during first service (which is obviously traditional), I've been going to a second church for second service. The second service I've been attending is a contemporary service that is real, no frills, and full of people I love! And two churches = two different sermons, two opportunities for God to challenge you(me)!
• April 28, 2015: my best friend's water broke and baby Madelyn decided she didn't want me to miss her birthday (she was supposed to come when I was in South Africa!) I've spent the last three days at my best friend's house taking care of the dog, and doing what I could to make their homecoming a little bit easier. I put away a load of clean washes from the dishwasher, loaded up all the dirty dishes I could find and hand washed everything else. I also bought a supply of snacks for her husband and bought two quarts of ice cream from The Meadows. One fruity flavor and one chocolaty flavor: balance is key! (This may be the most helpful thing I've done, lol!) I met Madelyn last night and I got to snuggle her for over an hour today. What a blessing to celebrate new life! (And a testimony to what God has done in my life these last nine months!)
• And next week, on May 9th I'll fly to South Africa for International Office Celebrations where I'll be with Brooke, Jennifer, Sara, and Suzette from Hands US(it will be the longest I've been with them in person!) in addition to old and new friends, and of course George! This will be my third trip for Hands in eight months and my first trip to Africa since 2013!
• And next week, on May 9th I'll fly to South Africa for International Office Celebrations where I'll be with Brooke, Jennifer, Sara, and Suzette from Hands US(it will be the longest I've been with them in person!) in addition to old and new friends, and of course George! This will be my third trip for Hands in eight months and my first trip to Africa since 2013!
• Finally, this August(right before my birthday!) I have the opportunity to go to Zambia as part of a team. Old friends and yes, even more new friends! And my fourth trip for Hands in eleven months! I do not think for one second that the increase in my travel and responsibility for Hands is coincidence. God not only knew what I needed in this season, but also how to use this season to grow my faith after my father's death(a loss that so many people struggle with and could easily be paralyzing!)

At first thought, I think my life is pretty uneventful but when I write it down, it's obviously not!

Lastly, I want to thank each and everyone of you that has reached out to me before my trip. I sent out photo cards to many of you. I really had no expectations. I know I can't control what other people do or do not do so I just left it up to God. I have been touched by each donation, each note and each encouragement I've received! Whether you gave $2 or $200, I am so grateful! I know a local bakery that sells amazing cookies for $1 and I realize you could buy two cookies with the $2 you gave me. That might be a silly example, but I'm food-motivated and you get the point. Everyone has responsibilities and priorities in their life and the fact that so many of you chose to make my trip one of your priorities has been truly humbling. If you were unable to donate financially, don't fret - pray! Prayers are the most worthy currency and the ultimate gesture! Pray that over the next week everyone would arrive in South Africa healthy and in one piece. That jet-lag and travel would not completely drain us. That we would arrive ready to worship, to be stretched and to be challenged. This work is so rewarding, but it does not get easier. Our hearts are continually broken for the children of Africa: as we strive to care for more vulnerable children, we are inevitably met with more terrible stories of injustice. 

Thank you for all of your support. Thank you for taking the time to read this! (I know the perils of the internet. Facebook, buzzfeed, and candy crush - oh my!) And please, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to use the contact form on the left or email jessinsafrica@gmail.com. I'd be happy to write about what you want to know more about!