One week from today, I will be on the way to Malawi, Africa! My team and I are going to put on an educational seminar for the Malawian teachers. I am absolutely beside myself with excitement and anticipation! [Fun fact: I love long flights. 21 hours of flight time, one way? JOY.] When I think about all of the amazing people I will be meeting.. the widows, the children… My heart can hardly contain the delight!
But completely honestly, my excitement is matched with a large amount of uncertainty, insecurity, and fear. A lot of it has to do with the fact that I have never been to Africa, or any third world country, and I simply don’t know what to expect, but most of it stems from something deeper.
My whole life I have been a perfectionist. It can be downright crippling sometimes. If I know that I won’t be good at something, chances are I won’t do it, or I’ll just laugh my way through it, because if I’m not really trying, then I can’t actually mess it up, right? Basically, I’m a pro at living inside of my comfort zone.
And let me tell you – going to Africa to speak in front of 30 teachers and present a lesson to them is so far out of my comfort zone.
That’s why this trip scares me. (I’m not a teacher! I’m barely out of school myself. How on earth will I be able to present a lesson that is helpful, entertaining, informational, and relevant AND so that the Malawian teachers actually kind of like me?)
That’s also why this trip is exactly what I need. Jesus has been at work preparing me for this trip from the second I applied, and way before that. He knows what He’s doing by having me go on this trip, at this time. He knew that I would feel nervous, unprepared, and unsure. I believe He still wanted me to go on this trip because this is a way that He is reminding me that all I can do (ever) is bring my meager best, lay it at His feet and let Him do the rest.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
I absolutely cannot WAIT to experience the ways Jesus works in Africa next week.
—
mikaela
with all my heart. 