Being a Teenager in Africa

Have you ever had a day when you have so many things on your mind and you try to write them down but no matter what you do, all you can find are empty words that don't seem to mean anything? I'm having one of those days. So many things seem to be crowding my mind...I guess that's what every teenager goes through.
I am surprised to find that this new life here in Kenya has seemed so real. I thought that everyday would feel like a dream that I would constantly think that I would wake up from. But I can honestly say that it feels as though I have lived here for much longer than 5 months. I think that throughout my whole life, I was meant to be here and make a difference in the kingdom of God.
You may not be too surprised to know that life for a teenager here is still quite similar to life in the States. Although there is no American Football or cheerleading (which I miss), no good malls to shop at, and beauty products are more scarse, life here is much more similar to my life on the other side of the world than I thought it was going to be. Those things which seemed like everything then don't seem very important now. Other things have taken the place of these things which have more meaning and value. My mind thinks of the song Amazing Grace and the lyrics, "was blind, but now I see." In many ways, I think that God has opened my eyes to the world around me.
Being in Kenya has definately been the biggest and best adventure the Hodder family has ever had. Even for a teenager like me.