March 2024

Processing Africa- Part 7 Retreat Day 2- Bus Accident

General, missions, trauma /

Over the course of day two, was filled with small group discussions, one-on-one counseling sessions, and workshops focusing on navigating life’s transitions. Each encounter brought forth a tapestry of stories, ranging from marriage struggles, moral failures to instances of spiritual abuse and unhealthy boundaries. Amidst these challenges, we also confronted the harsh realities of frontline spiritual warfare, where demonic influences seemed to the only way to explain what was happening. As the evening descended, a […]

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Processing Africa-Part 6 -Retreat Day One-Not what I was expecting

General /

This retreat began like many others, with the initial sign-in marking the start of what we anticipated would be a transformative experience. However, the atmosphere shifted when the first woman to arrive seemed visibly embarrassed, ultimately leaving the room in tears. While not an uncommon response, it sparked a sense of concern. Sensing her distress, I approached her by the pool, offering a listening ear and reassurance. As we conversed, she revealed that she had

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Processing Africa-Part 5 Rediscovering the big city (Dar Es Salaam) and getting ready for the Retreat

missions /

The biggest change to Tanzania was the main city of Dar es Salaam, and let me tell you, the changes were astounding. The city has grown so much in eleven years – they now have a few Pizza Hut and KFC fast food joints (because, you know, they definitely needed another spot to sell chicken!). There were other noticeable upgrades, like updated businesses, other restaurants and the airport. The airport specially was a lot different,

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Processing Africa-Part 4 Morogoro, Tanzania

General /

Returning to Tanazina after 11 years was an emotional yet profoundly enriching experience. Serving in this community for five years left an indelible mark on my heart, and being back stirred up a whirlwind of emotions. Tuesday night, I found myself grappling with questions of whether we had done enough and if we should have stayed longer. Tears flowed freely as I wrestled with these thoughts, but I recognized them as natural reactions to such

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Processing Africa-Part 3 Liberia-Trauma Training and Children’s Hospital

missions /

During our stay, the majority of our time was dedicated to volunteering at the Deborah Kaye Moore Foundation. Engaging in various activities, such as painting and providing assistance, we had the privilege of supporting the community. The highlight was the opportunity to conduct a few brief but impactful trauma informed session with the teachers. In this sessions, we delved into the significance of understanding trauma and the importance of processing it. We explored concepts such

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Processing Africa-Part 2 Welcome to Liberia

General /

Liberia, the small yellow country on the west side of Africa, holds a rich yet turbulent history. Civil wars, famine, disease, and other challenges have marred its past. However, what’s particularly intriguing is its post-civil war narrative. Following the conflict, Liberia became a destination for those who had been sent back to Africa, a pivotal moment in its history. As I learned from a Liberian acquaintance, the country lags about 10 years behind most other

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Processing Africa-Part 1-How It Started

General /

Two years ago, during a conversation in Romania with a friend who had established a school in Liberia, Africa, she expressed her desire for teachers to adopt a trauma-informed approach. Little did I know that this conversation would sow a seed that would eventually lead me back to Africa. A year later, while assisting with a women’s retreat in Vietnam, the organizers mentioned plans for the following year’s retreat in Africa. When asked if I

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