Loving South Africa

Mamelodi:
On Saturday we went to a township to work with an organization called Africa Revolution. This ministry is partnered with a church called, Power House, and together they are working to reach out to the community be bringing the message and the ministry of Christ. We spent the day working on two houses, owned by elderly widows. We had the opportunity of cleaning and painting the houses. It was such a refreshing time to serve in this way. Even getting to work along side the church members and share stories and learn about what God is doing in their lives was beautiful. It was good to be reminded that God is God of the Universe, and His love remains the same no matter where you go.

Culture:
The African culture is much different from American culture and I am learning a lot from it. The Christians I have met here are very grateful to the God for everything he does. As a matter of fact they are very grateful to everyone. It has shown me how often I can just be about me and not others. Even those who have very little to give, are constantly giving. Lifestyle here is very communal. So people are always eating together and sitting around and talking together and enjoy each other. It has shown me that I don’t stop to do that enough. Everyone shares everything which I love, because most do not have a lot. The students we have been getting to know have an eagerness and a hunger to know God more like you would not believe. South Africa is beautiful. The people, the landscape, and the languages are all so beautiful. The Lord is really teaching me to slow down more and take those things in.

And.... we're... outta here!!

Oh wow! I cannot even begin to express the excitement and joy in my heart! First of all God is amazing, He has truly done immeasurably more ALREADY than all that I could have asked or imagine. As far as support...He provided not only for what i needed, my goal, or what i was trusting him for, but even beyond that! We leave in just two days to go to Johannesburg. I honestly don't know what to expect from this summer. I just know that I expect God to show up and do BIG, HUGE, AMAZING things for his Kingdom through and in us....He likes to do that ;)
Thank you so much everyone who has supported and who has been praying. It means more than you'll ever know! I'm ready! Let's GO!

"...Give me the love that leads the way, The faith that nothing can dismay, The hope no disappointments tire, The passion that will burn like fire, Let me not sink to be a clod. Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God." -Amy Carmichael

LOVE AND GRACE

Weekly Prayer Request:

Sunday- I would serve the Lord with zeal and passion, not letting the things of the world hold me back. 1 John 2:15

Monday - My team would be unified in a sincere love for one another. John 13:34-45

Tuesday - My own personal walk with the Lord. Pray that I would be saturated in His word and walk intimately with Him as his child. understanding his perfect love for me. Psalm 1:3, 1 John 3:1

Wednesday- I would think and live with COMPLETENESS in mind. And that God would use this summer to move us and the students in South Africa closer to being made complete in out faith.
1 Thessalonians 3:10

Thursday - My love and compassion for South Africa, the students and the culture. 1 Corinthians 13

Friday - My team would live according to the greatest commandment; loving God with all of our heart, soul, and mind, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Matthew 22:37-39

Saturday - The physical safety and financial need of our team will be fully met. Philippians 4:19

Keep praying for our team. We still have a need of about $17,000.00. But God is WAY bigger than paper, He will provide!

I cannot believe that our team leaves in just 20 days. This semester has been one of the most exciting semesters of my life. There are so many here that will be so hard to leave for a summer, but so many there that I cannot wait to be with. This weekend we found out the theme for out summer is going to be COMPLETE. My prayer for my vision for God's Kingdom this summer is that I would realize and live like God intended all things in the world to be made complete. The tasks He gives us are to be completed, our faith, the Kingdom itself, and this race we run called life. I cannot wait to go deeper with the students in South Africa and on my team and learn more about this idea of completion. Our theme verses are...

For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? ¹⁰Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and complete what is lacking in your faith.

I Thes 3:8-10