Did God call Me? (Thoughts from a new MK)

Mommy and Daddy talk about being “called” to go to Africa.  But I am wondering God, did you call me?  I was sad when we had to pack the big yellow truck full of all our things and say goodbye to my neighbor friends.  The plane rides were exciting.  I loved seeing lions just sitting outside our car at the Lion and Cheetah Park.  The car ride through bush and over bumpy dirt roads, slowing for chickens, cows and goats was a thrill.  But now I keep wondering, “when are we going back to home where my toys and my friends are?” 

Mommy talks with me about Abraham and how he went where God “called” him even when he didn’t know where he was going.  We talk about Jonah and when he didn’t obey God “calling” him.  I don’t see any whales around here!  

It’s very hot even at night and we have to sleep under mosquito nets or we’ll get lots of bites.  There are a lot of neat bugs I’ve never seen before, lizards with blue heads and yellow throats, and some really big spiders.  I do like wearing only underwear all day and shorts when I go outside.  I love climbing the “tickle tree” and playing games with Uncle Jon and the staff kids on Fridays.  But sometimes I feel sad because I can only talk to my grandparents on the phone and see pictures of their homes and the fun things I got to do with them.  I miss them and I tell mommy many times that I’m ready to go back home.  I don’t know how long 2 years is.  Did God “call” me to Africa too?

There are many sick kids in the hospital where daddy works.  We are going to sing for them on Christmas Day.  Every time I go outside to play, kids come around and want to play with me and talk to me but I can’t understand what they say.  Maybe God wants me to be a good friend and tell them about Jesus.  So maybe God called me too, because He loves me, He wants me to have many adventures, and learn more about Him.  I want to obey, but it may take a little while for this to feel like home.  Daddy says we are in this together as a family and I know that is true, so yes, I guess God did call me to Africa too, because He called our whole family.

“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”  ~Joshua 24:15b

*Uncle Jon is a fellow missionary here.  The kids call all the fellow staff aunt and uncle, because we are a family here, in a unique sort of way!
*The tickle tree is a beautiful short tree with sweet smelling flowers.  That is just our nickname for it.

 Beating the heat in our makeshift pools!



Our Christmas branch!

The boys in the "tickle tree".

Karanda Pictures

We'd like to share some pictures of Karanda: our home and the hospital.

The Guesthouse (our temporary home)

The front view of the guesthouse with a flamoyant tree in the foreground and a nice little gazebo, to escape from the sun, in the back. 

This is the guesthouse livingroom. You can see the deep freeze in the back where we store a lot of our groceries each month. It also is very helpful with power outages so food doesn't go bad.

 

The kitchen with both an electric and gas stove (once again for power outages) and even a microwave!  The silver container by the fridge is our water filter.  The structure on the wall (over the sink) is the water heater for nice piping hot water!

The boys' bedroom with mosquito nets as malaria is a common problem out here at Karanda.  We have enjoyed living in the guesthouse but do look forward to settling into our own home and getting competely unpacked.

Church

Sunday morning church in the chapel on the hospital compound.  We all enjoy the lively singing and clapping.  The entire service is in Shona.

The Hospital

The center courtyard. The Female Ward is on the left, the Pediatric Ward is directly in front and the Outpatient Clinic is on the right. The Male Ward is below the Peds Ward.

The side courtyard with the Maternity Ward on the left and the other side of the Female Ward on the right.

The Female Ward. The hospital's "ICU" consists of the first four beds on the right side.

The main operating room. It is one of three at the hospital. The lights and most of the equipment are relatively modern.