Nearing The End

In two months I will be boarding a plane back home to the US of A. Wow, that almost doesn't feel real. I approach the end of my time here with very mixed feelings. On one hand I am absolutely ecstatic to see my family and friends again, have practically (literally, actually) been drooling at the thought of Fast Food, and the realization that I will be in a city where everyone speaks English and that I will understand and be understood by everyone is truly exciting... like really, really exciting!

 However on the other hand there is so much that I am going to miss about Madagascar. I am going to miss the fun of winning a barter battle...which happens less and less as I have gotten quite lazy. :) I am going to miss my pouse-pouse adventures, and running and jumping onto moving busses. I am not however going to miss taxi-brouse trips (brutal!)! I am going to miss buying nem and sambos from little street vendors. I am going to miss the little boy who lives by my flat and shouts hello at me as loudly as possible whenever I walk past (naturally I always respond in kind). I am going to miss the fun Malagasy/English attempted convos between myself and my butcher. I am going to miss volunteering at the CFCA. I am going to miss teaching (there I said it). Is God amazing or what? Who would have thought that He could change this stubborn heart! I have really come appreciate and love my students and found joy in watching them grow in their English skills.

 I am really going to miss speaking at the prison and partnering in ministry with YFC team as they share the truth of the Gospel with these inmates. I am going to miss my Friday Bible study with Heretina, Feno, and Cerillia! I am going to miss all the wonderful friends I have made here; Bailey (i am really gonna miss our hand & foot dates)!! Eleo, Mamia, Julie, Sitrika, Preska, Odile, Power, so many others, and especially my dear dear friend Nina. Oh how I am going to miss her friendship! She has been an incredible source of joy and support to me. God really blessed me so much through her! I love you dear friend! I am sure I missed a ton of thigs, but these are the things that come to mind at the moment!

This year has been amazing! I learned to cook (against all odds), sadly I am still a slob (maybe that change will happen in this next year). I learned how to teach and to be taught. I learned a (little) Malagasy. :) I have made cherished friendships. I learned to understand and appreciate a culture so very different from my own. I have grown in independance (which may or may not be a good thing...Nina would say not) =)! I have grown in boldness and confidence, and in my ability to share my faith with others.  I have been brought low by illness, loneliness and my own sin, and found comfort in family, godly friends and most of all, Jesus. I have drawn closer to God even as I have made (many) mistakes and stumbled (often), only to be lovingly picked up by my gracious heavenly Father.

 In short (or rather long) I wouldn't trade or change this year for anything. I think it will have huge impacts on the rest of my life, practically and most importantly spiritually. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported me financially and those who supported through your prayers this year. They have been invaluable to me! I can't say thank you enough! I had intended for this post to be about all the new ministries God has brought to me in last few months, but this came out instead. :) Perhaps next time!

Blessing to you all! All glory to God!