Solitude

Harare Botanical Gardens

This week has been a great week of reflection and rest. Last Wednesday I literally spent the whole day in solitude at the Harare Botanical Gardens, most of it hanging here in my Eno. Training has focused more on practical skills I can use and learning to really spend time refilling myself when I pour out all my energy and passion into others. I can't believe how quickly time has been going by. I am already halfway through the month of February. Soon I will be able to really start what I came here for. I'm excited to get to explore more of town and get myself established.

Resting after running... look, I'm
smiling and it's not even 6am!

One of my favorite parts of each day, believe it or not, is waking up early to run. There's something so satisfying about knowing I've been awake as long as the sun and haven't wasted away my morning. The city of Harare is so beautiful and green... I have grown to love running into an orange sky while dodging the many potholes in the road. The consistency in running has started to help form some small relationships with people in the neighborhood. I now recognize the faces of many other morning joggers and walkers. While our greetings may be brief and short of breath, it makes this place feel more like home.

Serving supper

Please be in prayer for me as training winds down and a whole new world of opportunities awaits around the corner.

Learning Points:

• It's not just okay to take a break, it's necessary. Pray I continue to have time to rest and reflect during these busier weeks.
• Walking to the shops for groceries almost every day provides great opportunities to get to know faces and connect with people/employees. Why don't we do this more at home?