One of the things that took a bit of getting used to while in Africa was a phenomenon we entitled "Gambian time". It didn't matter if work started at 8 and you showed up at 10:30 or if you didn't show up at your scheduled meeting (and didn't bother to call) or if people unexpectedly stopped in to visit. It was simply how things ran.
Being a typical North American, I am familiar with and operate quite well within time constraints. Before departing for Africa, people would ask what I would be doing for my two and a half weeks. I knew that I would be involved in some sort of pharmacist-type work but all I knew was that there was no plan. I think I'm fairly laissez-faire but having no plan made me wonder how it was all going to work out.
Yet to see those weeks unfold was most incredible; We accomplished goals, identified opportunities, networked and established connections for future trips, made friends, remained safe and healthy. God orchestrated an infinite number of details and worked me, an amateur, into the masterpiece.
This is the crux of the matter: I am learning to have faith that there is a plan in play. During our debrief, one of the guys (Alan) told me not to worry about what I thought I should have or what others might suggest I need. He said, "Look around Jenn. What you have is good. God is with you and is using you and is blessing you. What you have in your life is enough just as it is. If you needed something else, God would have provided it."
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11