An excerpt from my journal while in Swaziland

[Erica Cohen]

So here I am, on a plane headed for Africa. I’m amazed that I’m here and wouldn’t have believed it if a year ago someone had told me I’d be here today. So how did this all start…let me tell you.

Cascade UMC had a Saturday event with Bruce Wilkerson, author of The Prayer of Jabez, as the speaker. I was very excited about hearing him speak and eagerly listened to his message about stepping outside of our comfort zones, so that God could grow us. (You know it was a great message because I can remember it six months later!) After setting the stage by speaking about breaking the boundaries of comfort, he began sharing heartbreaking statistics and personal stories about the state of Africa and its great need. Bruce, with the help of the Holy Spirit, had convinced me that I could actually do something to help all of Africa. I would help individuals!

I was going to Swaziland! I started telling everyone! I shared the good news partially because I was so excited and partially because this would create a stronger personal commitment to the idea of me going. I knew that I couldn’t let vacation days from work or a lack of funds keep me from doing everything I said I would!

I eventually shared the news with my sister, Malia, and she too jumped at the opportunity. It’s a good thing she did, because I may not have been here now if she hadn’t. Malia encouraged me to fundraise, sent out thank you cards for me, and kept me updated about the trip’s logistics. I know this trip will be a great opportunity for me to know God in a new way and my sister, who lives thousands of miles away…

…I was surprised by how cold we were while waiting in line to cross the Swazi boarder. I would guess that it was around 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind was blowing. There was a lot of talk about how people hadn’t packed warmer clothes, even after checking the weather on the internet and learning how cool it could get. It’s funny the misconceptions we have about Africa being a place were it is always summer, even after our research proves otherwise. If we can’t get the weather right, I wonder what other misconceptions we may be holding onto…