Writing has been harder this season. I've felt like I've had too much to say and not enough at the same time. I think moving around regularly can do that. 

Since arriving in Malawi, I've been part of evangelism in villages where people gather because they are drawn by the sound of singing voices. I've danced with widows, been in classrooms with children, done door-to-door evangelism, and sat in several church services. People have accepted Jesus into their hearts. I've been with 5 out of the 8 teams on our squad. We've gone on some adventures, several of which included hikes. 

This has been a different experience with Africa than the past. If I'm being honest, it's been more challenging than I expected it to be, but there is one thing that I've continued to enjoy. While we were on the very top of a mountain last weekend, the sound of several different groups of people singing together drifted up to our quiet, peaceful perch.

It's the music that's made the difference. 

A quote that I read from Oswald Chambers today helpfully sums up my process:

"Sometimes God puts us through the experience and discipline of darkness to teach us to hear and obey Him. Song birds are taught to sing in the dark, and God puts us into "the shadow of His hand" until we learn to hear Him (Isaiah 49:2)"

In those moments when things are challenging, I think there is always something to be learned. I love that song birds learn to sing in the dark. In a way, I bet their sense of hearing is heightened because their sense of sight is removed. They are attentive to the world in a unique way and are thus, able to learn to sing. 

But so much of what I've just mentioned uses "I." In reality, one of the bigger lessons that the Lord has been teaching me is that He doesn't need me, but He will use me. He's got this. Over and over and over again I've been reminded that He is more than capable of handling everything. His wisdom and ways are far greater than my own. Thank Him for that. While refinement can be humbling, it has been a joy to go through this lesson on humility because it has increased my awe of Him. I'll take the darkness if it means I get to listen to beautiful melodies in the midst of it. Maybe I'm not learning to sing, but I'm in a culture that can't help but sing.