NATALIE - Jambo (hello loved ones)

Know it's been quite a while since I sent out an update on my life ~ but here it is finally! Internet has been quite hard to come by at times.

I just finished up a 5 week stent in Lusaka, Zambia serving at a street kid ministry called Chisomo as well as doing nutrition teaching in some remote villages and a TB/AIDS hospice called VK.There's so much to tell about my time there, but I think the details will have to wait a couple months more :)

Zambia is one of the poorest African countries with 50% unemployment and 80% poverty rate. It was so shocking though to see the joy and peace in so many of their lives even without the wants most of us mistake as necessities. It was an incredible experience, challenging at times, but nontheless incredible.

Our God is so good and CREATIVE! The ways He used me in my unique interests and abilities was remarkable, as was feeling Him bless me so deeply through the people I thought I was sent to reach and gain nothing much in return :) Isn't that just like Him? The base was wonderful and the staff members became like family - I will miss them so much.

We left Zambia for a 3 day train ride on an old Soviet train; followed by an 11 hour bus ride through the Tanzanian countryside to Arusha. I was AWESTRUCK by the scenery. So many times I had to sit back, take a breath and remind myself that I was actually experiencing these things ~

No animal sightings yet, but I've heard that while camping out with the Masai people, I'll get unbelievably unique opportunities. The animals are beginning their journey back to Tanzania from Kenya, so I should be able to experience their migration.

I've also enjoyed seeing myself pushed to the limit during the past week of traveling. There have been a few times when I've just had to laugh, take a deep breath and deal.

We are now FINALLY settled into the Arusha base which is much larger than the Lusaka one. There are about 100 people on base right now and it is totally different from our stay in Zambia. We only stay here on the weekends while spending the weekdays out on location.

We are coming up on a week at an orphanage down south and then the rest of our time living with the Masai tribe. I haven't met any yet, but I had such an incredible view of them periodically along the bus ride here. I have NEVER seen such intimidatingly majestic and royal looking people. They are on average 6.5 to 7 feet tall and wear bright red and purple robes with gauges in their ears and rings around their necks. I am VERY excited about finding out more about them in the days to come.

Going up against their nomadic religions of ancestry worship will be hard - but I serve a mighty and steadfast God. He's not surprised by the hurdles. You can be praying for continued energy, excitement and passion for me. I have to be filled up every morning due to the sometimes painful emptying of the day. I'm a bit tired so hope this is all coherent ~

I'll try to do weekend updates as much as possible! Thanks for EVERYTHING, you are greatly loved and missed :) Talk to you soon, Lord willing!!

All my love,

Nattie

NATALIE February 4, 2007

--- On Sun 02/04, natalie wofford <> wrote:

Well, i made it finally :) the connection in sydney was no big deal at all and i met up with YWAM perfectly. my luggage is no where to be found, but they are going to keep me posted on their tracking. i ADORE the people on base and ADORE the other students. There are 9 of us and the girls are phenomenal. i already met a staff member here who wants to take me hiking on the weekends ~ she's pretty great :) Chris (leader of my school) and Gloria (his fiance as well as base manager) took us to surrey hills park for a jazz festival and picnic this afternoon to mingle and relax. Chris is a climber and is going to show me all the walls around. he was very excited that i packed my stuff. Theres apparently an incredible bouldering wall under an old bridge in Melbourne!!. The weather is perfect and surrey hills is picturesque. im going to adore it here i can tell, and want to give you a heads up that i am very likely going to want to stay :) im pretty exhausted right now, but i will write more later (the flight was perfect: complete with empty seats on either side of me, showings of "The Illusionist" with Edward Norton and "Because I Said So" with Diane Keaton, and Cantebury hot cocoa ). the base is super gorgeous and very easily accessible - it feels like a home. there are three computers with internet right outside the girls' dorm as well as wireless that my comp can use. like i said though, im going to be very careful how much i allow myself to use it as not to create a habit.