"There's no place I'd rather be than here in your love". These are the lyrics I was listening to monday morning. As I sit on my bed, swaying side to side, thriving in pain from a burning sensation in my stomach, tiered from being sick all night, worshiping the Lord because there was really nothing else I could do; tears began to stream down my face. My teammates asked what was wrong and I somehow blubbered out, "I'm just so happy". Now that's a funny thing for a person to say when they're suffering from "the malaria". But I was. I didn't care that I had never felt physically worse. I didn't care that my back was sore from the rods that stick out in my bed. I didn't care that I had spent most of the night awake, sick in my bathroom. I didn't care that I wanted my mom to rub my back. I didn't care that it is impossible to get a popsicle in this country (or anything with ice for that matter). I didn't care that no matter how badly I wanted it, netflix was not going to mail a movie to Uganda. I was just happy to be here. Every bit of pain was worth it to get to have met the people I have met. Every bit of pain was worth it because I have gotten to feel Gods love in a new, dependent, and personal way. It was worth every bit of pain to hear little children's voices that answer "I am fine" when you simply say "hello". It was worth every bit of pain to have the privilege of praying over my sick friends in the hospital. It was worth every bit of pain to somehow get to be a part of Gods amazing plan for this beautiful country. There was truly no place I would rather be.
Here in His love I sit and write to you. I am here in His love. No matter where I go. No matter if I stray. No matter what I do, I will be here in His love. Want to hear something awesome- that's true for you too. That's true for everyone you've ever met. That's true for anyone you've ever laid eyes on. So tell them. There's this saying that says, "Always share the gospel, and use words when necessary". And I agree with that. We should be showing people Christ's love by our actions, that's true. But I think often times as Christians we hide behind that, we use that as an excuse not to share with our friends. But when Peter received the holy spirit did he just show people how much Christ loved them? No! He told everyone he met! This is peter we're talking about. He wasn't qualified. He was by no means perfect, but he did it anyway.
There is so much Joy to be found in Christ's love. Enough joy that you can cry out of happiness in the "worst of times". I thank God for the Joy that he's brought to my life, especially in this time in Africa. This isn't a joy that I can keep to myself. This isn't a love I can keep to myself. I've chosen to use my voice. I'm choosing to live a life that seeks that joy and love and shares with everyone WHERE that joy comes from. And I hope you will as well.
To everyone back home- I love and miss you lots! I can't believe I will be with you in such a short time! Start preparing the mac & cheese and chick-fil-a!
<3Darby
