Coming home

These last few months in South Africa have been amazing! I have accomplished what I came out to do: God has confirmed in me a call to missions and a heart for the people of the world and has taught me all about the South African culture. I have so many stories to tell when I get back to the States and can't wait to speak with each of you more specifically about my experiences here. Which leads me to the next step...
Many of you have heard that I was trying to extend my stay in South Africa for another 3 months to refine what my niche is in missions - what ministries I fit into in this country of endless possibilities. I was approved to extend my Visa, was offered a part-time job, a vehicle to use, even a place to stay (which was amazing!) but substantial ministry opportunities did not arise. Also, there was an underlying "unsettling" that maybe it wasn't the right time. I talked with many people, and it seemed everyone pointed me towards the "next step" - seminary. "But I don't want to go to seminary!" was my answer, "I want to serve the LORD now!" I'm not opposed to learning - that part I love - it's just the time involved that is the problem. However, God has been at work in my heart over the past few weeks, and has surprised me and everyone involved. He has lead me to a Scripture that spoke specifically to me; it's Proverbs 19:2 - "It is not good to have zeal
without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way."  And again in the same chapter, "Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise," Proverbs 19:20.  So, I am returning to the States as originally planned - Friday, January 30! From there the path is not quite known as of yet, but things are in the making. I am going to pursue seminary and begin the learning process. It's exciting and crazy at the same time!
I hope to see all of you upon my return and will keep you informed as things develop. THANK YOU so much for your prayers and emails of encouragement; I have needed them!

I will update my blog with the rest of my adventures while here as soon as I can. Don't have the photos on my computer yet but as soon as I have them, I will show you info on my last month here. 

Back in Jo-burg

Carol Ann, Lee-Ann, and Belinda by the thatched hut in Peter and Lee-Ann's back yard. I stayed with Peter and Lee-Ann for a week. Peter is the Youth director at Florida Baptist. They are great people with a love for the Lord. Lots of fun, too! I felt right at home. This day they had invited all of the young adults over for a potjie ("poiky" - sort of a stew cooked in a big iron pot) and fun in the pool. We also played a big game of volleyball that lasted hours b/c it was so much fun. My team lost, but we had so much fun, so it didn't matter.

In the pool at Peter and Lee-Ann's house. The group in the pool (starting with me and going clockwise) is Peter, Kim, Tony, Archie, Conrad, and Anne. In the background are Grant, Trent, and Justin (another American missionary). They were tossing the rugby ball while we hit around the volleyball in the pool.

Playing 30 seconds. Trent was on a roll! Pictured sitting down are Gareth, the associate pastor of Florida Baptist, Tony, and Justin. We had SO much fun with that game. The girls won - yes!

Practicing music for MK Youth Camp in Steve and Tim Mew's studio. We all wore headphones and the sound was awesome! I think we sounded great, if I do say so myself. =)

Tim on drums and me on keys and vocals.

Transkei - the end!

Celia, me, and Mark once we arrived back in Joburg from Transkei. They were staying at a pastor's house right down the road from Trent; how ironic! So we went and had dinner with them the night before we left. I had a great time getting to know them and hope to keep in touch with them.

Umfundisi Mimi (pastor Mimi) dancing during morning worship at Cebe Baptist Church. It is very common to have a woman pastor, or leader in the churches out in the bush, because there aren't any men who can lead. 

Outside church with Nosipho (left) and the other maid (I can't remember her name!) We became good friends the week I worked with them.

Me with Trevor and Celia the night we went fishing late. We only caught one fish! But it was still fun.

I'm posting a few more pictures of Transkei because I feel like I haven't gotten to sit down and finish it all! Everytime I'm online it's for just a short while, so I never get everything out that I need to. =) Now it's been a few weeks since my trip to Mozambique and Cebe in Transkei, but I want to finish so that my readers will know more of the details and how to pray for me. 

One thing I've learned here over and over is that people in Africa, and all over the world really, just want to be loved. That is a God-given desire, and can only be filled by God. He is love, and since we are His hands and feet, we need to be loving others like He loves them.  So that has been one of my main goals - to simply love people where they are and because they are special to God. I have really enjoyed hugging on kids and telling them "Jesu Oingitanda" - Jesus loves you. The kids just soak that up; they love being held, and love touching! Sometimes I've had to tell them to stop fighting over who can hold my hand or sit on my lap. Another thing I've learned is to make the most of every moment, because you never know if these people will hear about Jesus again. So when I've shared my testimony, I've tried to make it so clear that they will know how to accept Jesus from hearing what I've had to say.  

I met some really sweet girls while staying with the Hessells in Cebe (Ashley and Melba). Their maids Nosipho, and Ngumisa (I can't remember the other maid's name! but she was very sweet, too). They are in their early twenties and have been working with the Hessells for years, and have come to know Christ. I tried to encourage them and just be their friend. They taught me songs in Xhosa and we laughed a lot together when I messed up the language. I pray that God continues to teach them and draw them to Himself. 

Ashley is a very godly man. He is fluent in Xhosa, which is very unusual for a man who grew up in aparheid (segregation). Apartheid only ended here in 1994, so there are still a lot of repercussions happening now. Many blacks and whites still dont' associate, accept on a very generic level. So I've tried to show God's love and be very accepting, and sort of "prove" myself to the black Africans. Ashley has very high standing in Transkei, because he knows the language and even preaches in it. He visits people in their homes, supports several ministries and churches, and the people respect that. He and his wife have made a huge impact on the Xhosa people. 

It was sad to leave Transkei in a way, because I felt like I hadn't been able to do as much ministry as I had hoped. But the Lord knows my heart, and hopefully He will provide ways for me to make an impact in the future. 

More Cebe

Uncle Ashley leading the children in song. I called him "Umnumzaana"- man of the house.

Beautiful sunset behind the church we ministered at. We powered the lights inside by a generator. 

One of the maids, Ngumisa, who wanted to learn the guitar, playing on mine. I taught her a simple song and she was ecstatic!

Outside the church one evening. The sun was setting and it was the perfect light for a nice photo. Celia was overlooking the town as children walked up for church.

On the beach at Cebe. The weather was foggy but really pretty. It looked like Scotland. I'm with Chelsea, Trent's parents dog.

My time in Transkei was brief but wonderful. We basically went on a road trip with Mark and Celia Houghton, a father and daughter from the UK. Ashley and Melba Hessell, an older couple from the Transkei area, organized the trip for Mark and Celia, and since they are good friends with Trevor and Marilyn Eayrs, who I'm working with, they arranged for me to come along with them.  I dont' remember everything that I've written before or what got posted, but I'll try not to repeat much. =) 

We went to Kruger National Park for a few days (which was totally awesome!), then do Mozambique for a day - that drive took us through the country of Swaziland, which looked exactly like the rest of South Africa but is totally different governmentally. They are ruled by a King and Queen. We were only in Mozambique for one day because our trip came earlier than expected. We dropped off Christmas packages and shared during the church service at Ponta do Oura Baptist Church in the morning. Then we headed down through Zululand (the town of Manzibomvu) for evening church service on our way through to Transkei. The church in Manzi was awesome! The people were so friendly and welcoming. Everyone hugged you upon meeting and wanted to talk to you about the Lord. I sang a special and Trevor preached. The singing from the Zulu people was amazing - very loud, harmonious, and with passion and dancing. 

In Transkei we ministered in the small town of Cebe (pronounced with a click on the C). Each night we went to a different place and shared testimonies, sang songs, I shared a special music, and someone preached. The first night we went to a hospital and ministered to the patients. Many there were terminal, but were excited to hear from the Bible. Another night we went to a youth group and shared with the wild children there. =) They loved hearing from us and wanted me to play guitar more! The other nights we spoke at churches. The churches in Cebe are very small, but very diligent in their service to the Lord. They need a lot of encouragement and discipleship. Again, we shared testimonies and sang. The kids loved us. Cebe itself is an amazingly beautiful coastal town, so we were able to spend lots of time on the beach (although the weather was bad many days) and I got some sun. It was a great week! Will write more later!