Is this normal?

It amazes me how fast a total change of life can become 'normal'. I realized as I was driving through the sand-roads of Benin in a Landrover filled with people, dodging zimijans (motorcycles by the trillion) and waving to people as they yelled out 'YOVO YOVO! (white-person)....that life in Africa has already become what seems, a 'normal' way of life. I know that my journey here began with me trying to figure out if I was moving to Africa for an adventure in my own will... or if this was actually the path God had chosen for me thus placing a desire in my heart to leave my comfort zone and go.

After now being here for six weeks and having never felt more 'in' God's will than before, I can say with all confidence that God has led me here and I couldn't be happier! I will definitely admit that it took me a while to adjust to the fact that I am in Africa, living on a ship floating in the ocean.....and I am likely still adjusting. What I find amazing is that being here actually feels normal. I think it has alot to do with that 'peace that passes all understanding'....but every now and again I like to have little reminders that God has led me on a road less travelled (as I wrote about before).

Tonight was a reminder. I finally had the chance to take part in a program on board called Adopt-a-Patient. This program allows crew members to choose a patient in the hospital and visit them, play with them, talk to them (through translation) and really, just love them. I was nervous about doing it and I'm not really sure why. Walking into the ward and seeing my smiling little 5-year old was one of my favourite moments so far. Jenga with my patient....soon turned into Disney Memory with 4 other children, a mother and a room full of laughter and cheers. I have never enjoyed 'Disney Memory' so much! I got to see joy tonight....I got to see evidence of lives transformed....I was reminded tonight, that life here does not have to become normal. And that a life with God, is the complete opposite and farthest possible thing from 'normal'. In fact, it is really the only way to have and live 'life to the fullest'.