JOY. the feeling of great pleasure and happiness. the fulfillment of happiness and satisfaction. the feeling you know only comes through one source. the joy from God.
I have been given the blessing and opportunity to spend 4 and a half months in Arusha, Tanzania, East Africa for the Spring semester. I know that this is the Lord’s plan for me and it has been such an amazing learning experience to watch Him provide for me every step of the way. I will be studying at Arcadia University taking Swahili (the national language), a course studying the peace and conflicts in East Africa, a women's gender study focused on the women of East Africa, and health issues in Africa. I will be studying with 10 other Americans, mostly from the northern half of the US and a few East African students in country. I am the only one from A&M and as far as I know, the only one from Texas, much less the southern half of the states. While I am there I am hoping to be able to fully live and understand the African way of life and use this opportunity to build relationships and bring others closer to Christ. I am more than excited about the relationships I will build with the locals and the village people. If you have any questions, I would be more than happy to answer them, just shoot me an email!
Waiting and watching as God has provided and planned out my route for every step of the way has been such a cool thing to watch and help me grow. As he has provided me a place to live this last semester, given me the opportunity to become a full time student at A&M, granted my acceptance into Arcadia, blessed me with friendships, and opened up doors for relationships that connect me to Africa. He has taught me that I truly can rely on Him fully and He will not let me down. I can be a control freak, I like to plan ahead, I don’t like not knowing what will happen, but I now can hold everything with an open hand. I can plan ahead but I know that His will always prevails and that His plan is better than mine. He has taken away my stress and taught me that as long as I fully rely on Him and give Him the opportunity to show me how much He loves me, He will exceed anything I can imagine. I am so excited to find out what the Lord has in store for me the next few months I am out of the country.
I have been given the blessing and opportunity to spend 4 and a half months in Arusha, Tanzania, East Africa for the Spring semester. I know that this is the Lord’s plan for me and it has been such an amazing learning experience to watch Him provide for me every step of the way. I will be studying at Arcadia University taking Swahili (the national language), a course studying the peace and conflicts in East Africa, a women's gender study focused on the women of East Africa, and health issues in Africa. I will be studying with 10 other Americans, mostly from the northern half of the US and a few East African students in country. I am the only one from A&M and as far as I know, the only one from Texas, much less the southern half of the states. While I am there I am hoping to be able to fully live and understand the African way of life and use this opportunity to build relationships and bring others closer to Christ. I am more than excited about the relationships I will build with the locals and the village people. If you have any questions, I would be more than happy to answer them, just shoot me an email!
Waiting and watching as God has provided and planned out my route for every step of the way has been such a cool thing to watch and help me grow. As he has provided me a place to live this last semester, given me the opportunity to become a full time student at A&M, granted my acceptance into Arcadia, blessed me with friendships, and opened up doors for relationships that connect me to Africa. He has taught me that I truly can rely on Him fully and He will not let me down. I can be a control freak, I like to plan ahead, I don’t like not knowing what will happen, but I now can hold everything with an open hand. I can plan ahead but I know that His will always prevails and that His plan is better than mine. He has taken away my stress and taught me that as long as I fully rely on Him and give Him the opportunity to show me how much He loves me, He will exceed anything I can imagine. I am so excited to find out what the Lord has in store for me the next few months I am out of the country.
It was a joy for the Smith family to share a roof with you this last semester! I missed seeing you last week. We will be checking in here regularly to see posts from "our daughter". Ha! We will be praying for you... please continue to pray for the Smith 5 + 2 dogs and CBC! What a blessing you are!
ReplyDeleteBrian Smith
Thank you so much Brian! Sorry I wasn't able to stop by and see you. I will be praying and I appreciate your prayer as well! PS the emails are looking good!
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