by Julia Greif, 3-month Namibia IMMERSION team member
Three months in Africa can't be summarized. The way Jesus worked can't be put into words. The way my life has changed can't be shown. The love that I gave and received will always be held in my heart. People are going to ask me about my time in Africa, and I'm not sure what to say. Africa has changed my view, my perspective, my plans—and I'm okay with that.
Coming into this trip, we learned about Africa being rich in many things. While many people look at Africa as being poor, I realize what they meant when they said rich. Africa is rich: Rich in love. The love I experienced here is nothing short of the father's love for us. From the minute we stepped off the plane, the relationships we found of people who were praying for us before they even knew us to children who were complete strangers who now hold a giant place in my heart. I've never experienced love quite like I have here in Africa. A full, beautiful, unique, without-limits love, just like God.
Africa is also rich in beauty. I've found Jesus in nature, in the stars, in the sand dunes, in the ocean, and just about anywhere. God is present in creation. One night my team walked out in the desert with no lights around and worshipped Jesus under the stars. That night I fully felt God and his purpose. He didn't want anything but for us to realize his love for us in that moment and how not even the sky's the limit for that love.
Rich in JOY. A word that we use too often but you probably wouldn't think of when it comes to Africa. I didn't. But joy is so present in God's people here in Africa. Joy is present when worshipping Jesus but also joy is present in the mundane. I'll never forget the smiles from the kids, smiles of complete joy when we showed up at the school. The kids and teachers didn't know us, they didn't know our past or our hurts and faults but they loved. They loved with the joy the Lord gave them and in turn, taught me how to love.
I can't exactly put into words what this trip means for me. It's changed my life. I asked for this trip to wreck me and turn my life upside down and it has. "I'm no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God." That verse of a song rings true in my heart. I don't know what my future holds, but I'm holding onto what God taught me here about beauty, love, and joy. The joy of the Lord is our strength and that's what I'm holding onto with an unknown future. I'm thankful to experience Namibia, although I'm not sure where the next road leads. God made us rich and I'll be forever thankful for His love and grace.
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