feels right.

Ryan, Amanda and I arrived in Durban about 5 days ago and have been running around trying to learn the city, start ministry, and re-settle in. This past week has been a hectic and busy transition, but a wonderful one nonetheless. Immediately after stepping off the plane and out of the Durban Airport, hills of lush vegetation and vibrant shades of green surrounded me. Among the hills were scattered homes of every color, made with anything from brick, cement, wood, tin, even old fabric or heavy cloth. The streets were clear of traffic and the sky was a bright blue contrasting beautifully with the green that surrounded it. Durban sits along the eastern coast of South Africa and the ocean breeze can be felt amidst the tall trees and grassy hills. My heart smiled as I watched the women outside of my window balancing heavy baskets of fruit on their head and children dressed in their school uniforms holding hands and skipping home along the sidewalks paved with red dirt. The feel of Durban is nothing like that of Pretoria. Pretoria was constantly busy, with people rushing to go places, taxis honking on every street corner, tall buildings and new plazas, beautiful homes and private schools lined up with little nature left in its place. There was construction blocking the roads and traffic at every time of day. Pretoria is a city where everybody is engaged. I loved being in Pretoria that first month, believe me...it was wonderful and God did incredible things and still is! But Durban, lovely Durban...has been so good for my soul. It's quiet, quaint, and absolutely beautiful. The Durban mentality is, "go with the flow," "take it easy," "don't you worry about it." Since coming here, I feel like I've been able to take a moment to slow down and care for my heart. Some people need the city to feel connected, I need Durban. It feels so right to be here. I can't wait for God to move through me..but also in me as I spend my time in this place.