This past weekend I was able to go with my group of APU students to the birds of prey rehabilitation center to see some of South Africa's rare birds and even experience a bird show which was pretty spectacular. The owls had to be my favorite to see, they were too cute. After that we got a tour of Pietermaritzberg where we got to see all the major landmarks. One being the trainstation where Gandhi had been thrown off of the train for sitting up in first class when he was not allowed to because of his skin color. This is what marked the start of his passive resistance march and what dramatically changed the country of India. That was a sort of neat place to see and especially funny timing because my previous blog was about him. I did not plan that at all. I got to go on Sunday to one of our coordinators home and lay out by the pool which was just so relaxing and of course fun to get off campus. We ended the night with a McFlurry run to McDonald's with a whole bus full of us. It had to have been the best night here because we just broke out into a dance party on the way there and back. I even got one of South Africas kind of McFlurry's called the Cornetto McFlurry where it has crushed up ice cream cone, chocolate sauce and chocoloate chips. It was super yummy.
As for this weekend besides all the fun things I was able to do, these past couple of days have been a challenge. I can feel God trying to push me to my limits and see me grow. For a moment this past weekend I had never felt so alone even when being surrounded by 54 other people. I felt sad and alone and had moments where I could not even enjoy being here. I know crazy right? If I am being completely honest it sucked. In that moment of feeling alone it made me really think about why I came to this country and that was to be challenged by God. I had to take a step back and really look at this place I was surrounded by and figure out where in the world God needs and wants me to be concentrating. Finally I broke down and had to turn to him for guidance. There were two bible verses that just were able to comfort me.
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad. Proverbs 12:25
In the day of my trouble I will call on You, for You will answer me. Psalm 86:7
On Sunday I was on my way to church and in the bus I asked God to please give me a good day. That I just needed a good day today. Never the less did I recieve the best day I had this semester so far. The day was filled with new relationships, people investing into me, uncontrollable laughter, feeling loved, and great converstations. I geninuinly felt happy. On the way back from McDonald's in the mist of people singing and dancing I looked out the bus window with the cool, night breeze blowing on my face and the beautiful starry night out in the distance and grinned from ear to ear and thanked God for giving me the most amazing day. For answering my prayer and giving me exactly what I had needed. It is in those moments I realize how great he is and just how much he loves us. It is from that, that my days have just continuely been going up and I finally am feeling confident in being here.
Today in chapel one of our cordinators gave the sermon and it was about finding our identity in God but also allowing God to do the things he is wanting to do in your life. Opening the door for change. This just got me excited to spend more time in journaling and reading my bible to see what is in store. I can only hope that I allow him to do all he wants. I again like I do most of my blogs eagerly await. We got to sign up for d-groups today and cannot wait to be able to get into fellowship and to be held accountable.
Something I am truely thankful for is all my friends back in the states and even more my family. I miss everyone so much. Talking to good friends from APU and even back home makes me appreciate how much I have.
P.S. Pray for me because I still lack the motivation to do school here. I am doing the bare minimum right now. :) haha
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