HAPPY 3 YEARS JESUS!

WHOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!! Today is my 3rd birthday in Jesus. Accepting Him into my life was the best decision I've ever made. Living for Him means living for love, people, and righteousness. I chose this lifestyle and I thank Him for giving us all free will. He is not forceful whatsoever. He is gentle and loving in calling His creation back to Him. A big factor in why I turned away from Buddhism(back in middle school) was the fact that I was forced into everything. I was forced to go to temple every Sunday(for 5ish years), kneel and chant for hours, and rituals were imposed on me. I don't mean to bash Buddhism but this is simply what I experienced. I was raised with those beliefs but as I grew up, I realized I have to live for my beliefs and not my family's. There is vast freedom in God. I'm not forced to do anything; going to church, reading the Bible, talking to other Christians, loving people, etc. I choose to do these things out of overwhelming love for Him. Christ's love compels me to love and learn. I love that the Lord loves me unconditionally and desires a relationship with me and really anyone&everyone. This is much more than a religion. It's walking with Jesus through every aspect of life, through the joyous of times to the gloomiest. He is my best friend, Savior, Redeemer, Provider, HEALER, Father, Shelter, and much more. This makes up a chunk of my testimony. It's pretty neat to see how amazed some of my team mates were about me formerly being a Buddhist.

It's also my best friend's salvation date as well. That would explain why we're so close! We were saved on the same day(May 28, 2007), baptized on the same day(May 28, 2008), but separated today?! :( It's okay though, it's radical to see our best friend connection work overseas. God spoke the same thing to both of us even in different countries, 23 hours away from each other. She is my best friend, my biggest supporter, my source of laughter, and my sister in Christ. She is also the epitome of a true follower of Jesus. Check out her inspiring daily blogs at: http://kristinetran.tumblr.com/

Well, today was the usual medical clinic from 10 AM - 4 PM. I had a wee bit of an embarrassing moment. But thank you Jesus for covering us with Your blood!! Anyways, assisting 150 patients yesterday was rigorous and today was just as long. Nurse Jana intervened and took over halfway through though...what a sweetheart! She was in the eyeglass clinic for an entire week before this. Her patience is astonishing.

Here I am with Afred and Sabrina. We're sharing the ecube and you can't really see it but I'm explaining how Jesus died on the cross for our sins, for us to be reconciled with us, for us to be with God forever in heaven. The necklace I'm wearing is made of paper!

Sabrina and her family after waiting for hours to be seen.

Joshua, Sabrina, and I. They're both so precious. Joshua was pouting because he found out he didn't need glasses but wanted them soooo bad. I explained to him why it's a good thing not to have glasses then I whipped out the bubbles and he was thrilled! I think he was more thrilled on the bubbles than the encouragement...oh well!

Libby - my BFF on the trip. She's from a small Baptist church in Tennessee! She has a crazy story about a lady who was demon possessed but through prayer, the demons were casted out. I'm told that demon possession is a normal thing in Africa just because some people worship dark spirits. Yah, this is real! The same Jesus in the Bible who heals the blind and casts out demons is alive and active today.
I know it can be an unbelievable and heavy topic but my teammates and I experienced Jesus' miracles and we testify for His sake.

Jana, Suz, Lori, Katherine, and myself. The awesome ladies on the medical team!
Myth: Africa is a hot desert. Depends where you go but look at this view!!! Tanzania is green and beautiful.