"The Real Africa"

Wow the safari has already come and gone and we are back at work planning our next event, The Ark.

The Ark is headed up by us, the interns and happens every other Friday on campus at African Bible College (ABC). It is a place for people to gather during the transition season of their regular community groups. Just like in San Diego when every one leaves for the summer so does Flood Malawi have a winter season when everyone is gone visiting families and taking a break from school. Community groups that usually have a consistent amount of people during the rest of the year diminish. This also means that people are in town visiting; people like us who are here to serve on a short-term basis and looking for a place to experience God and community. Therefore we host The Ark. Two weeks ago was “Won Love.” Our theme was based around games and learning that we don’t, win God’s love, He has already won us. This next week is In Love. We will focus on being in love with Jesus. The night will be filled with prayer, worship, and communion.

However, since we were on our safari all week there was no time to plan it. Since The Ark is happening tomorrow night, we will spend tonight planning. We will also be doing our regular Friday ministry tomorrow. We have a staff meeting in the morning, make lunch, and travel to Kudoku Village for the afternoon. Although we had a fabulous time on our safari we needed more down time to rest and just be humans.

Unfortunately we were playing catch up on our safari. Four hours into the trip in Chipata (passed the Mchinji/Mfuwe, Malawi/Zambia border) our driver pulled over to the side of the road (the left side). Having been on a South Luangwa Safari before and with the same company, Land & Lakes, I had a flashback of a nightmare. On our return home in 2009 our vehicle broke down on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. A piece of the rear axle had dislodged itself and we waited for 4 hours for the part and fixing. This time it wasn’t the rear axle; instead the engine of the 20 passenger bus was overheating. The driver wasn’t sure if it was the fan belt or the water pump but the bus began to fill with a burning plastic smell.

We all got out of the bus, and after urinating in the reeds, settled about 3 feet above the road on another dirt road/path thing. It was the four of us, American Interns + Edith, our Malawian supervisor; 2 Brits, a mother and her son, who were working with endangered species with the organization, Born Free; 10 Norwegians who were Lake Malawi divers, and on Holiday; 1 German who was a very liberal, English, German, Literature teacher on vacation. The British son, Oliver (15yrs) made it into my quote book when he said, “that German guy is crazy.” Let’s just say we became a big family while we were stranded on the road from 2pm until after dark at 6pm. To make a long story short we finally arrived at Thornicroft Lodge around 11:30 pm. It was one of the happiest moments we’ve all experienced after enduring the bumpiest, dustiest, most exhausting ride one might have. Not to mention being squeezed into a mini-bus with absolutely no suspension, having to pee, having a scratchy sore throat, stomach cramps, and being on the road at night with drivers that have never driven the route before makes for a great story. Fortunately, they held our dinner for us and that dinner was worth all the trouble. It was the most warm, mouth-watering, 3 course dinner I have had in a long time. Our beds were real mattresses and the blankets were so snuggly.

The next morning our wake up call was at 5am, tea at 5:30am, and our first game drive at 6am. We were all like zombies but were blessed with the fragrance of God’s creation! We saw more animals than I know how to describe…God is so awesomely cool!! There is nothing like hearing the roar and purr of a male lion. There is something so unique and calming about sleeping giraffes. Honeybadgers DON’T CARE! Civets are weird. Hyenas stocking Impalas are gangsta. Hippos are just funny. Crocadiles are so suave. Mongoose are sneaky. Porcupines are legit and extremely fast. Elephants are intriguing. Baby elephant trumpets are like music to the ear. Lion cubs are the cutest thing I have ever seen! Mama lions aren’t kidding. Leopards are beauuuutiful and stealthy. Water buffalo are like water buffalo. Zebras blend in despite their black and white. Warthogs (Hogwarts) are brats! Baboons need wet wipes.Vultures are crazy especially when there are like 30 eating a dead hippo. 1 day old dead Hippos smell worse than the toilet hole at Kudoku village. Frog living in my closet…you are so cute and can stay anytime!

In conclusion, the excitement of living in Africa has not gone away and ABC feels and smells like home now. (Mom, Pop, and Alyssa don’t worry, I’ll be home before Christmas haha.) I am excited to relish in this next month. This last month went by so slow and fast all at the same time.

In Pursuit of the King,

Sarah

p.s. Malawi = "The Warm Heart of Africa." Zambia = "The Real Africa"

It's A Whole New World...

So about the new pictures...not sure how to make them smaller, but I figure it will give you a better sense of what it feels like being here.

Tomorrow will be our 3 week marker of being in-country. I can't believe how fast the time is going! Today is Malawi's 47th Independence Day so we have a holiday! The Human Rights Flood San Diego team arrived on Saturday. Therefore, instead of taking my rest day on Monday I decided to go to the Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre and take my rest day today. Although it was really informative and I gained a lot from attending the meeting today took forever to come!

Last night was so much fun! A couple who are from Costa Mesa but currently live here in Malawi had a birthday party for all those whose birthdays are in July. There were four of us birthday peoples. We ate lots of pizza and then had birthday cake and ice cream. It was SOOOO good!! I ate more candy and sugar yesterday than I have for more than a month. The Riesens that were sent from my mom with the Human Rights team are definitely gone too. We played Twister, "danced off" to Christian Hip-Hop music, and reminisced about Keith Greene. There was also time for us birthday peoples to be affirmed by the rest of the crowd. The first thing I heard was, "TALL!" I also heard, "responsible young leader," "laughter," "funny," "y misala," "crazy," and "beautiful." At the end of our time we each shared a moment where we God wow'ed us. It was really a sweet time.

In the last week we have moved houses. The seven of us are now living in a 4 bedroom 2 bath house a couple doors up from where we were living. We're just a big 7 person family and color doesn't matter whatsoever. We are forced to trust each other and love each other faster than we've had to trust and love before. When someone is missing it really affects the whole team. We miss each other quickly. I am cherishing the moments we are sharing and the laughs we are having because it won't last forever. I am so blessed to be part of this family.

The new house is closer to the Flood offices which is nice because a lot goes on there. We also have 3 dogs that we (mostly Cameron) are caring for. Terra the Great Dane that was living at our first house has followed us to the new house. We can't get rid of her. Lol

The Holy Spirit is showing me just how many things are gifts from above. "Every good and perfect gift is a gift from above." Simple things like receiving a piece of gum from Annie, or a whole pack of gum from my mom and sister via Rachel on the Human Rights team mean SO much and bring me so MUCH joy!!! The moment that cobalt mint or spearmint start crackling in mouth is seriously a reminder of God's love lol! Today, the simplicity of the only garbage truck in Malawi coming by the house to pick up our trash was a true blessing!

This Friday we will head to Kudoku village and we will stay the night there. I am looking forward to all that means: sleeping in the dust, peeing in cockroach infested holes, eating mysterious foods, suscepting myself to disease, receiving the best hospitality from African woman, playing with the happiest kids on earth, blowing black boogers out of my nose, and possibly praying for the 22 year old witch doctor AGAIN = Experiencing life to the full for the glory of God, so I can continue to see, hear, smell, feel like He watches, listens, breathes, and loves.

The First 2 Weeks

WOW there is SO much I could tell you…I don’t even know where to begin….It’s been 2 weeks since we’ve arrived.

Okay so we have a pretty rigorous schedule. We were all surprised by the fact that there was actually a plan considering we had no idea what we were in for.

Our weekend begins on Sunday afternoons after church. Monday is our rest day J. Monday has ended up being a sleep-in until 8am, then catch-up day on laundry and cleaning day. Wednesdays have also been a day that’s been sort of relaxing. We usually work in the morning until about 3pm and then are able to take a nap in the afternoon. Wednesdays are designated “family nights.” That means the 7 of us (Cameron, Brock, Annie, Me, Edith, Humphreys, and Ndaba) have a family meeting and then hang. Last night we prayed over one another. We are all trusting each other more and in turn are able to be more vulnerable. Last night was unifying.

Everyday we have group quiet time at 0630 for 15 minutes, then 30 minutes of personal devotional time. After that we eat breakfast, clean it up, and go to the office for staff devotions, meetings, etc. (depending on the day).

Saturdays are service days where we go out to the community. We have been to Onesimus in Chitipi Village, which is a home for boys who previously were living on the street; Crisis Nursery, which is an orphanage for abandon infants; we will go to Kachele Juvenile Hall this Saturday, and to a widows home, and other places in the future.

Friday is Kudoku Village day, but we couldn’t go last Friday because there has been a really bad fuel shortage. There will literally be lines of cars and trucks 2 miles long that need petrol or diesel. Every so often there will be a delivery. When there is a delivery we’ll send someone out to wait in line, but sometimes the filling station will run out before our vehicle gets filled. The situation has arisen as a direct result of decisions made by the government. [please pray for the government, authorities, and leading officials not only in Malawi but the rest of the world too.] It has been really cool to listen to world news on the radio instead of just hearing all American news.

We have ended up walking from ABC to Flood, the nursery and to some markets. ABC is like the Beverly Hills of Lilongwe. There also are huge houses that the wealthy Malawians are building. So much development has occurred since I was here last. I was looking forward to riding our bikes almost everywhere, but instead we pile as many people into a car as we can.

I also have a little friend. This is a friend that wakes me up in the early morning and middle of the night. It is a rat that lives in my ceiling. The first time I heard this pest I was so scared!! I just kept reciting Joshua 1:9 “Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Ana. Adam Wright, Ndawa J) I ended up praying one night as I blessed the food that the rat would go away haha. I didn’t hear it for 2 nights and the next day there was a rat in the kitchen. The Great Dane, Tara that we are taking care of took care of it. I ran away screaming when I saw the rat. There is ANOTHER rat in my ceiling though and it keeps waking me up!

There is also a Mosque nearby. If we aren’t sleeping soundly at 5am, it will keep us awake for about 30-45 minutes, which stinks when we are waking up just after 6am.

We’ve been able to play with so many kids!! We’ve interacted with kids with special needs at Children of Blessings, changed the worst smelling diapers ever, and taken care of the smallest baby ever. Her head and body fit in the palm of my hand and I’m not sure that it was even healthy that I was holding her. Her legs looked like like doll legs but like pruned…you know how your hands get when you have them in water for too long? I had no idea what the heck I was doing.

The babies have melted my heart. There are two other babies we often hang with. One is Jordan (Pastor Sean’s son) who just turned 1 yr, and Thomas (Pastor Tom’s son) who is almost 6 mo. God has been showing me His faithfulness. He is faithful to remind me to become more child-like in my dependence on Him.

My team and I are bonding well. We are definitely a little family. For these first 3 weeks Annie and I are living in a 3 BR 2 BA house with Edith, who is our leader. Edith is the epitome of me except black and weighs around 90#s. Her and I laugh SO much because we just understand each other and have similar joyful spirits. We seriously have so much fun together.

The boys: Cameron and Brock were living with Humphreys and Ndawa in the dorms, but now they have moved into our house. Humphreys is an old friend from last time. Ndaba is 20yrs and is an intern like the rest of us. Humphreys is the boy’s leader. We are still figuring out our housing situations.

On Sunday night Annie, Edith and I made the shopping list for the next week. Let's just say it reminded me of Yours Mine and Ours. Everyone loves to look at my shopping list especially Pastor Sean. "Sarah, what exactly does 1 pile of potatoes mean?" Things like the biggest one they have, 10 loaves of bread, 20 apples, and "tomato paste-HUGE" are commonly found on the list. On Tuesday, we bought 20 kilograms of sugar which is about 44 pounds. Yeah...that better last us at least 1 month if not 2 LOL!

So that's the latest/the best glimpse I can give you. I am happy to expound if you would like to know more specifics. Just post a question and/or rate this post below.

Thanks for Reading :)

Sarah C:

It’s hard to write when I hardly have words for what I’m experiencing. I find myself in the very last row of a United jet. I am in seat A, which is a window seat and I love looking out the window! I still can’t believe this is really happening.

Our plane took awhile to taxi. Apparently there were “technical difficulties.” When planes run on technology and you hear something like that, it’s a little unnerving lol. But, I know whom I serve and have no worry. I was worried about all our baggage making the 50 lb weight limit. God showed me straight up that I should quit that worrying!!! Our heaviest bag was 45 lbs. We made it through security just fine too. Brock’s shower gel was confiscated so if any of us are gonna be stinky, it’s gonna be him haha. I’m sitting right next to him on this flight…

Our prayer time that was held right before we got to the terminal was amazing! I was truly overwhelmed by all the support. There were at least 20 people outside the Starbucks in Point Loma. The team and I sat in the middle of the circle and everyone laid hands on us. This may be the most filling, enriching, and loving time I have felt by my Flood family. I have been praying for the last year that God would soften my heart and allow me to cry more easily (except at funerals haha). Boy, God is faithful even when I don’t want him to be. It meant so much to have someone I look up to grab my hands, look me in the eyes and say, “do you know how strong you are? Do you know that you are beautiful? Do you know that you are a good investment? Do you know you are worthy of His love and grace? Do you know you were meant to lead this trip?” It was hard to say yes.

I have been practicing my leadership skills as well. As a person who wants to be a part of ALL the action ALL the time, it is hard to take time for myself. It was really energizing when I took myself to the other side of the terminal for about 30 minutes. I had my own special time and when I returned my team was so excited to tell me about what I had missed. Could this be God? Perhaps ;)

One more thing I realized this morning during my devotional time. I am fond of the book My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers (well I knew this prior to this morning). As I looked at the title of today’s devotion it spoke to me rather boldly. I was hesitant to begin my day because I knew that it would end on an airplane. I was feeling a sense of loss. The title read, “Get Moving!” I decided to look at all the titles for June…Here they are:

The Staggering Question. Are You Obsessed by Something? “The Secret of the Lord.” The Never-Forsaking God. God’s Assurance. “Work Out” What God “Works in You.” The Greatest Source of Power. What’s Next To Do? Then What’s Next To Do? And After That What’s Next To Do? Getting There. Getting There. Get Moving! Get Moving! “Will You Lay Down Your Life?” Beware Of Criticizing Others. Keep Recognizing Jesus. The Service of Passionate Devotion. Have You Come to ‘When’ Yet? The Ministry of The Inner Life. The Unchanging Law of Judgment. “Acquainted With Grief.”

I can’t help but to see from this that God has been preparing me in so many ways; most of which I don’t even recognize. This morning I felt like I wanted to call up Oswald Chambers and his wife to share what they made helped me see today. Imagine how many lives each of us touch. Most of the time we don’t even know that we have and impact. I encourage you to keep or start planting seeds by seeking out the Holy Spirit.

We made it to Washinton Dulles!! It is crazy how modern and space-age the airport is here. It has changed a lot since my last trip. We had to take a train to the other terminals and it was such a trip to see life in D.C. (at least life at the airport). I am really excited for our next flight because I haven't slept at all! I am saving up my sleep so that I can knock out on this 13 hour flight.

...So we finally made it to our terminal and about 10 minutes later Cameron says, "We have to go back to the plane right now." "Why?" "Because I left my computer on it." The boys went back to the terminal and when they came back, they didn't have the computer with them. So please be praying that it will miraculously get back to him.

We also just found out that there is a 15 lb weight limit for carry-on bags on Ethiopian flights. Brock's bag weighs about 25 lbs. He said, "NO, you are kidding me. " "Nope, I'm serious." "Ah, this trip is just getting crazy." Haha indeed it is...this is how we grow :) (myself included)

I will not be posting on my blog for 2 weeks as we are taking a break from technology. We are posturing ourselves as an act of surrender to fully see, hear, and feel what the Almighty King desires.

Until then…

Gettin’ Real Uncomfortable in Jesus’ Name,

Sarah Colin :D

TWO WEEKS!!

Well HELLO!!

Time certainly goes by so fast!! It has been almost one month since I have posted...woah.

"It's a new day, peace has come, Jesus saves, hope is here, raise a sound to let all the world know that Jesus saves, broken hearts can be remade, see above the storms of life..."

- Jeremy Camp

I constantly need to be reminded that Jesus saves!

The spring semester officially ended on May 23rd! It is hard to believe I have finished 4 years of college. The end of something, always means the beginning of something greater. Whether it looks like it is going to be greater or not; it is. "It is" because each opportunity is one that grows me mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and sometimes physically (LOL).

This Africa thing is really starting to get to me. This is something in which I KNOW will be greater than most things I have experience in life thus far. At our last family meeting last Wednesday, I admitted to my team that I was a little bit scared. They're eyes all got big and they stopped talking.

They exclaimed, "what?! YOU are scared?!"

I hesitated, "yeah..."

"But you have been before."

"So?"

Just because you have done something before doesn't mean it is not scary the second time around in fact, sometimes it is scarier. So yes, I am a wee bit scared. I am not scared about flying for 2 days, eating strange food, or sleeping in villages. I am scared about what God is going to do in my heart. I am scared for what He will extract and what He will inject. I know whatever it is will be vital to my maturing, but it will be hard.

This is the life I have chosen to live...one that is hard, yet brings more joy than I could have ever imagined. I know my Creator created me to be a variety of colors. Right now, I am full of some neon colors, but just like solar panels need the sun to generate the light, as do I need the Son so I can keep shining :D

I feel honored to be part of something so bright!

As I prepare in these next two weeks for the coming months I am anxious, yet hesitant. I want that day to come, but I feel a little resistant. I think it will be like skydiving (yes, this is kind of an abstract reference). Once you get strapped up in that garb and up 13,000ft in that plane you ARE jumping out. There is no other way down. You just jump. Oh the adrenaline that pumps faster than you fall, my oh my it is thrilling. I am anxious to feel the thrill of this trip. To feel the challenges as well as triumphs of leading my team, and experiencing things greater than myself.

When I think about the things that make me hesitant (some of which I mentioned previously) all I remember is that Jesus saves. He has saved me, provided the way to Malawi, and is going to bring me home with a new heart and a clear mind for serving others for His sake.

I will admit I feel a sense of loss. I feel like I will lose the summers I have known: spending time with my family, best friends, wakeboarding, camping, river adventuring, sprinkler running, shooting star finding, etc. But, "to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phillippians 1:21).

Huh. What the heck is she (me) talking about you ask? Yeah, that verse sounds a bit contradicting eh? The way I see it is this: truly living is living for Christ. Dying to myself means that I gain Him and lose myself. I'm pretty jacked up as an individual so I hired Jesus to piece things back together lol. Actually it takes all of me to LET Jesus break me, and then piece me back together. He is "peaceing" me back together as well.

I have a bit of packing to do. It is kind of hard to pack for two months. I currently have an ongoing list of what to buy. I am not only thinking of me, but also my team. I am creating their packing lists as well and have to critically think about what they will need and what I will need to keep reminding them of. Luckily, God knows. He knows what we need, what we will bring, what we will forget, and will continue to provide!!

Please pray for me and my team. Please pray for clarity, direction, guidance, travel safety, renewing, and cohesiveness. We are in it for the long haul and coming out of this summer I know I will have three more best friends :)

Love Always,

SC

$978 in 4 DAYS?!!!

So here is the deal:

Only 2 days until the weekend, and 4 days until my deadline!

(BTW I do NOT mean May 21st "Judgment Day" no in fact remember what Jesus said, that no one knows the hour or the day Mark 13:32)

My "grace extension" ends SUNDAY, MAY 22nd to raise my last $978.00!

This means that I need to raise $978.00 in 4 DAYS! I know that with God all things are possible (Matt 19:26). I also know that God is faithful to finish the work that He has begun in me. (Phil 1:6)

Let me break it down:
This is $244.50/day (~1 college text book, ~50 frappucinos, or < 1 night at The Hotel@Mandalay Bay in Vegas)

I honestly, have no control over anyone reading this message, or when, or what anyone will/can give, but YOU DO! Can you trust that God will bless you for blessing not only me, but others around the world? Will you trust that God is uniting His kingdom through His saints (you and I)? Will you GIVE ONLINE TODAY? Or, will you pass the word along to someone else that might be able to?

"For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did..." Romans 8:3

Will you UNITE with me as we fight this battle against evil together?! I need financial support and prayer support during this time!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
DONATE ONLINE:
-Go to http://www.diveintoflood.com/give/
-Register for an account (to ensure tax receipt)
-Select my team code MA611SC
-Select my name from the "commemorative' drop-down menu
-Memo my name, Sarah Colin in the comment box
-Please notify me with the amount for my records

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!!
-Sarah Colin
sarahcolin@ymail.com
colinsarah.blogspot.com

Need Your Help!

WOW! I was in a time-machine...

The spring semester is quickly coming to an end and has caused me to survive 4.5 all-nighters. That would be 2 sets of 2 in-a-row. I do not believe in pulling all-nighters; I do not believe they are biblical, healthy, or something to be proud of however, they happen. One was for my own personal test, and the other 3.5 were for group projects.

Now, after 2 nights of sleeping for 12 hours I feel that I have almost caught up on my sleep. My next final is on Tuesday and my last final is on Thursday. I can't believe I have finished 4 years of college!

This week has also been filled with praying, dialoguing, planning, thinking, hearing updates and such for my trip to Malawi.

Right now, our biggest goal as a team is to raise the rest of our funds!

I have raised:

$3,392!

I need to raise:

$2,808!

Technically my funds are due May 13th TODAY! However, I have received a "grace extension."

Is it crazy to think that God might provide $2,808 in just a few days?? Let's see...

I need your help! If you personally are able to give/partner in this journey with me you can give online by following these steps: If you are unable to give personally, do you know of anyone who is? If you do, please direct them here or send me their contact information and I will contact them.

1. Go to http://www.diveintoflood.com/give/

2. Register for an account (to ensure tax receipt)
3. Select my team code MA611SC
4. Select my name (Sarah Colin) from the "commemorative' drop-down menu
5. Memo my name (Sarah Colin) in the comment box

6. Please notify me with the amount for my records email: sarahcolin@ymail.com

If you are unable to give personally, do you know of anyone who is? If you do, please direct them here or send me their contact information and I will contact them.

Please continue to pray for me and the rest of the team!

If you have any additional questions about the trip, feel free to contact me by leaving a comment here, emailing me at sarahcolin@ymail.com, sending me a facebook message, or calling me.

Believing,

Sarah Colin