Inbetween Borders...

Zabo! So I can't even believe that it is already my last week here, not even. I only have like 3 days left. It's so sad!

So the safari was AMAZING. We had a great ride there because I took motion sickness pills and was out but I didn't like the way it felt so on the ride back I didn't take them and we ended up breaking down and having to wait to get it fixed and almost missing the time where the Zambia and Malawi border closes. We thought we were going to have a night stuck between borders. It ended up working fine but it was the first time I drove at night in Africa which is totally different experience because there are no street lights. It was well worth the 3 hours of dirt road we had to drive on. The animals were amazing. I got the closest to the male lion. Oh my goodness, I could of spit on him I was so close. I will show some pictures but that isn't the lion I am talking about. Anyway it was just awesome, seeing God's amazing untouched creation. So it was really good but we were ready to go back and not have to get up at 4:30am to go out. Altogether we did 16 hours of safari so we got in what we wanted.

So today was our first day of debriefing and the Chiwengo group got to go to the only coffee shop in town. It was great.We now have a bit of free time before dinner and then we will have some fun and stuff tonight, more debriefing but in different settings tomorrow and then back to the states. So sad, but I am so ready to see my friends and family.

I guess I came hoping that God would say either DO MISSIONS or DON'T! I didn't feel like God was saying this is it for you Kara Missions 24/7 but there is no doubt in my mind that missions will be a huge part of my life either all the time or not but oh my goodness I have learned so much. Today they handed back to us a letter that we wrote in the very beginning to ourselves of what we wanted to achieve and learn and I feel like I have learned so much. One of the main things is LOVE. The extent of that word is endless. The definition I had in my head when I came here to Malawi is totally different than the definition I have gained while being here. I think we all think of Africa and want to come and help these people we feel pity for. We want to give them money, or clothes, or food or whatever we think they need. After being here I have realized that that is not what they need they need love and encouragement. They need to realize their potential here in Malawi. The last thing they need to do is go to America.

It was so hard for me to get used to kids seeing me as a walking dollar bill sign. I just kept thinking I am a college kid and barely have anything you know? But to them I am so rich. As we were talking today one of the girls kind of broke down and talked about how hard it is for her to pass by kids who are asking for money or food. I guess I feel like the Lord has taught me that what we might think the answer is in the perspective of our country isn't the answer here. They need love and not just any but the love we share in Christ. By giving them things we have we are just telling them they don't need to work for anything you know? I don't know it sounds harsh but it's so true. These people depend on one another for money, but then I look at our nation and we are all in it for ourselves. There has to be a balance somewhere in that. Well that is just a tiny bit of what I have learned. I am going to try to post pictures of some of the adventures and loves and lives that I have encountered here. (And no I am not taking anyone home with me, even though some of those kids I would of loved to take home).

I will write once more Saturday and that will be it. I love you all so much and look forward to seeing you or just talking with you. I miss you. Thank you so much for your support and may the Lord bless you for it!