Jana's Faith

let's go play on frozen lakes.

7.4.17

back when there was still buckets of snow and it was so cold your face hurt and your lungs protested every time you drew breath.

-20 is no joke.

we went and froze and laughed and were thankful the the radioactive lake (we're 90% sure it is at least...) was a pure white palate for us to traipse upon.

the archives, vol. 3: this place.

23.3.17

he sits in the dirt and plays with sticks cause mama's in the field with big brother + dad.

big sister cooks and cleans and brothers play in the sand with him, running in and out of the open wall in their courtyard.

his mama can't read cause she never went to school, and jula is the only language that warmly meets her ear.

so my mama and his mama work it out with laughter, smiles and help from the little kids eager to show off the latest french they learned in school.

national geographic has become my back yard.
the conditions that these people eat, breath, sleep + live in are unbelievable.

and yet, and yet they have joy.
such amazing, breath-taking, beautiful joy!!

and peace,
a peace that passes beyond all earthly understanding.
because it isn’t, it is not of this world, and you can see it miles away like a lighthouse shining forth for all to see for those who seek it.
it's the joy that we are called to have as those who are found in Christ, and yet we don't.
how is it that it's easier seen on the face of one who has no Everlasting Hope, that the one who has the promise of eternal life?

and people ask what i love about this place.
what is my favorite part.

and my mind goes blank, because frankly there is not much to like about it.
my flesh doesn't like the heat + the bugs + the buggy water + the hurt + pain that stares at me at every turn.

what do i like about burkina?
nothing, i don't like anything about it.

but i do love it.
i love burkina.
i love this place and the people that live in it.

i've tried, i really have.
i've wracked my brain every. single. time. after someone has asked that impending but terrible question
and i always come up with a blank state,
nervous smile
+ most times, end up with a random food item.

so i don't like this place.
i love it + the people that live in it.
i love the food that they eat + the languages that they speak.
the clothes that they wear + the places they live.

i love the little boy in the dirt + his mama that works.
the people that surround this life + invade the cracks.
even when they take away the plans for the evening that i had.