{what I found at the market.}

A little girl reached for my pink sunglasses and put them on so quickly that I knew deep in our hearts we were sisters. In one swoosh the glasses were on and so was her sass. I think when you’re a fun, spunky girl you gravitate towards other fun, spunky girls. Because that’s clearly what happened –wink! One North American girl and one African girl ~ normally separated by 8,000+ miles just five days ago but this week the same “ness” and standing under the same shady tree, giggling over a pair of pink sunglasses.

My new friend is 12 and I’m 26. What I noticed about her pretty quickly is she already knows her purpose ~ and there I was, standing next to her, still half-looking for mine. I think being in Africa is showing me a very clear personal direction.

Let me share with you what I mean…

Our group went to the local market yesterday. Mary is our trip leader, helping us get to the different Child Development Centers ~ she’s like our personal travel guide and we love her! Naturally we said YES when she asked if we wanted to go to the market. Mary knew I wanted to shop for African fabric, I think I hinted just a few times that I was looking for local fabric, so once we found some at the market I just about died of happiness.

Plastic tarps were spread like a roll of carpet. Every square inch of the dirt-packed ground slash market was serving as a table, a makeshift table.

Women were peeling vegetables and cutting the heads off sardines while sitting on the ground; babies were crawling behind them, babysitting themselves. Handbags and shirts and dress shoes and hand-carved trinkets alternated between the foods that were for sale.

Everything was for sale.

And guess what else I noticed? Everything was handmade.

But wait, there’s more :)

Everywhere, seriously — I am not making this up! Everywhere I looked I saw foot-pedal sewing machines. Scissors were clicking and the presser bar lifter were gently tapping the throat plate. So many familiar sounds in a very unfamiliar place.

We walked a few streets over and still, the foot-pedal machine madness continued on. At one point Scott pointed upward. My eyes followed his hand and I sew a dozen sewing machines sitting on the roof of a 3-story building. Blue and black tarps overlapped each other and served as a makeshift roof.

And right there, another glimpse of the Lord and how He’s always nearby, He always has a plan and they are always good plans.

Spending all week with the Compassion kids has been such a blessing to me.

For just $38 a month you can be a blessing to these kids. Want another nudge? See what my fellow bloggers are experiencing + sharing.

Back to the market — Mary {remember, she’s our awesome trip leader} wanted us to move quickly throughout the market. If we weren’t stopping to shop we needed to be on our way.

The people working + shopping at the market have a purpose and they know it.

Just like my 12-year-old friend at the Child Development Center we visited today.

Just like you, you have a purpose to do good to others…

But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth, Exodus 9:16

Just like me…

Oh and look. ANOTHER glimpse of the Lord: while at the Child Development Center (CDC) today this woman named Mable gifted me with a cut of Africa fabric :) I bought some at the market, our entire group was given some as a thank you gift from yet another CDC, and now Mable gifted me with another cut.

I sense a limited edition Gussy + Africa line coming soon, yeow! ;D

So here is my question for you: Do you feel like the timing is right for you to sponsor a child? I know this trip to Tanzania was perfectly tailored just for me. Because we all have purpose and because the Lord has perfect plans {perfect timing} for us. But there was a moment where I thought of saying no. One thing I’m fearful of is missing out on these perfect plans. I mean, I know if it’s His will it will happen ~ but I’d be super bummed to think that there was some opportunity that He set up, and I missed my chance.

If you took a moment to look for a glimpse of your purpose, would you see it?