That’s a Wrap!

Well, I’m back in Minnesota! I am already missing SO many things about living in Africa, but it feels so good to be back with my family and friends.

I have been wanting to recap the end of my Africa trip for a while now, but life has been so busy! Between my re-entry into the states, visiting Paris and London, house hunting in Nashville, and my U of MN graduation, I haven’t had too much time to reflect on this crazy adventure of mine.

Since being back in the states, I’ve realized how much simpler life in Africa was. And for that, I am so grateful. In America, life is very past-pace and there is so much pressure to live up to societal norms. But in Africa, it didn’t feel like this. What mattered most to people in Africa was each other. Lots of people have told me that I looked so happy there in my pictures. I think this was because I haven’t felt so loved by everyone around me ever in my life. Africans genuinely care about you and want to know you. They taught me so much about how to love like Jesus.

 

My last week in Africa was filled with many dreaded goodbyes and “see you in heaven”s. My heart aches when I think about all the children I grew to love so much. What I would do to give them another squeeze or see their million-dollar smiles one last time. It was especially hard knowing the little ones would be on the playground waiting for us early Monday morning and wondering where we were. I already miss playing games, reading books, singing songs, and hearing their belly laughs when they’d say something in Siswati just to see my confused face.

One of the hardest goodbyes was 16-year-old Nothando. My time getting to know her, giving her advice, and telling her about Jesus was cut far too short. I wrote her a letter my last week, and to my surprise, she had one ready to give me as well. Not only did I get one letter, but one of the teachers dropped off an additional one from her at my homestead right before I left. I am not quite sure why I was “the chosen one” by her and her friends, but I thank God for giving me the opportunity to disciple them. I will never forget sweet Nothando, and I pray she never loses sight of how loved she is by the Father.

 

In my final week, a prayer I kept saying over and over was that we would leave a lasting impression on the care point kiddos we met in Africa. I prayed that this impression would be nothing about who we were and what we did for them, but rather our ability to show who God is and all He can do when we accept Him into our hearts. After all, that is why we were there.

 

Perhaps the hardest goodbye of all was to our homestead host, Babi Steven. He insisted we take a high-5 picture after our last 5 am run to celebrate all the hard work we had accomplished (see pic below). During another one of our runs, he complimented my fundraising shirt that says, “do everything in love”. Since he does this so well, I had it on my heart to gift him the shirt before leaving. I gave it to him my last morning at his home and thanked him for loving me and the team so well. He jumped up, invited his whole family into the living room to see, put the shirt on, and insisted I take pictures of him in it. That is just a little glimpse into why I love this man so much. If time is on our side (as he always says), I would love to come back and visit him one day.

I’m also missing chunky Yandi, Babi’s grandson. Although he didn’t love being away from his mom for too long, I absolutely loved having him at the homestead with us. He is the cutest (and funniest) African baby I met.

Right before I left in January, I had the opportunity to meet with my old high school ministry leader and mentor, Megan. I remember her telling me that sometimes she likes to envision herself nestled in the Father’s armpit. In my last week of ministry, I had an aha moment where I knew exactly what she meant by this. I got to comfort a baby who quite literally fell asleep nestled in my armpit. I reflected on how much I have been in this posture during my time in Africa. When it felt like there was so much chaos going on around me, the Lord reached His arm around me and allowed me to rest in His comfort. This comfort allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and do the things He had sought out for me in Africa. As I enter a brand new season of my life, I know there will be times when I need to remember this posture and rely on the One who can get me through the hard times ahead. Thanks God, for being a God who always has His arms wide open, ready to calm our anxious hearts and remind us that we are Yours.

 

The past 3 months have been some of the best (and hardest) months of my life. I will forever treasure this time with the wonderful people that made up my squad. These friendships are some of the purest I’ve ever known. They’ve poured so much wisdom and love into me and I know I am better because of it. I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for each of them.

 

So, what’s next? I’ll be in Minnesota enjoying my last summer here for a while. Come August, I’ll be moving to Nashville to start my Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Belmont University. I’m excited to see what these next 3 years will bring! I know my time in Africa has helped shape me into the kind of OT I want to be—one that pours hope, love, and encouragement into others!

Thanks to everyone who donated, prayed for me, and followed along with my journey. I am so grateful to have had all the support that I did. You were just as much a part of changing the lives of those in Africa as I was!

Missionary Kelly is signing out one last time—I love you all and so does Jesus!

 

PS— American wifi means all my pictures have finally been uploaded to previous posts! Be sure to take a peek back 🙂