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.