I went to the beach and spent time with my family.
I started nannying two of the cutest kids ever.
And most importantly, I spent two weeks in Africa.
We just got back stateside two days ago and I'm already aching to go back. I don't know what it is about that place, but it does something to my heart that I can't even describe.
I've tried summing up this trip multiple times in my head, but each time words don't do a justice for the prayers answered, the ways God moved, and the things He showed me.
Every time I've been to Africa, this was the third time and fourth different country, God has shown me something new, placed a new perspective in my heart as He shapes me to become more like him.
During my first trip, He placed in me a love for the 140 million+ orphans around the world.
While on my second trip, He revealed to me ways that my book needed to be changed and planted in me the idea of missions.
This trip...this trip I went in with a specific prayer. I've been feeling called to the mission field for years now, even before my trip to Uganda in 2013. But it's only gotten stronger as the years go by. And so my prayer was this: Lord, if this is what you want me to do, show me, breathe it into me so that I'd know without a shadow of a doubt.
That prayer made me beyond nervous. Both a yes and no to that request terrified me. Both came with so many questions and what if's.
But throughout the week, I don't know if it was at dinner with 50+ missionary families or during the day with their children or even playing with children at an orphan center...He showed me that at some point, Africa will be the place I call home.
I've never been more sure of anything in my life.
And I don't know if I'll be teaching or running an orphanage or working for another organization...I don't know if I'll be married or single or any of the details.
But I know that Africa will be home. And right now, that's all I need to know.
Because I already know He knows everything else. He knows the plans He has for my life.
So for now, I just thank Him that Africa will hopefully be a big part of that plan.
~Bailey
