I love Africa. The landscape, people, and, of course, the wildlife are all amazing. Chris, my husband, places himself in the category of wildlife, so how can I not be amazed by the creatures who reside here.
Take zebras for instance. When a baby is born the mother isolates the new life from the rest of the herd. The baby can only see the stripes or markings of the mother. He or she is not exposed to the uniqueness of the other animals in the herd. The mother will often simply stare at the baby. The idea is for the baby and mother to instantly distinguish each other from other zebras.
Zebras also bite each other. Sometimes they bite as a form of affection, and sometimes they bite as a form of aggression. Either way, whether a gentle nibble or piercing grip, zebras have no trouble communicating their thoughts to one another.
Living in a different country has it challenges. Without realizing it, I am constantly making a fool of myself. Almost everything is new and different here – from shopping, to traveling, how instructions are given and people are greeted. Because I can’t rely on the familiar, I find myself continually asking the Lord to guide me and give me understanding and wisdom.
Although my situation overseas is a little unique, I believe that if we permit the Lord, He will place us all in unusual circumstances. He will put us in places that are unfamiliar, so we are forced to rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit.
We need to be like the baby zebras. It is important that we spend time in God’s presence – simply staring at Him. When we understand more about the Lord, it is easier to recognize Him. Our eyes should be constantly searching, looking for the one we love. In the midst of the crowd, we should know and see clearly our Savior.
As Thanksgiving approaches and the busyness of the holiday season seems to permeate all that we say and do, let’s be purposeful in remembering Jesus.
Tonya Jewel Blessing
Author, Conference Speaker,
Ministry Director
Most of Tonya’s adult life has been spent in full time ministry with a focus on helping women. She has traveled nationally and internationally as a conference speaker. For a number of years, Tonya and her husband operated a retreat facility in Colorado for pastors and missionaries.
Tonya and her husband, Chris, recently celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary. The couple currently lives in South Africa. They are the founders and directors of Strong Cross Ministries, a U.S. non-profit organization that has been in existence for 20 plus years. Strong Cross operates as a support system for churches, ministries, and schools. The organization also sponsors feeding programs for children, the elderly, and disabled; provides educational and medical assistance; works with local leaders in the Limpopo region; and hosts numerous faith based events for South Africans.
Tonya is a well-known speaker on women’s issues and leadership principles. She is the author of the Appalachian books The Whispering of the Willows and The Melody of the Mulberries, and co-author of the devotional Soothing Rain. The books are available on Amazon. 
