First day back in SA

I've arrived safely in SA! Got in last night around 5 p.m. My Supervisor Winfred Oppong-Amoako and his wife Juliet met me outside of baggage claim. My roomate Millie was there as well. It was so nice to finally meet them! We drove to a restaurant, Mugg & Bean, and ate dinner, then came to the flat where I'll be staying. It's very quaint - one bedroom, bathroom, small kitchen and "lounge". Very cute! I'm glad to have Internet here so I can stay connected to people back home.
I haven't been here long so there is not much to write for now. I will rest today (Saturday) and tomorrow go to church with Winfred and Juliet. Monday I begin the internship at TWR! I'm very excited but not nervous at all - that is from the Lord, I know. I'm looking forward to what the Lord is going to do here, and cannot wait to see how TWR fits into His plan. Whatever happens, I pray that God receives the glory.
I'll be updating you within the next week, as things develop.

I am walking everyday with Jesus, I feel His presence sweetly near;
Unto me He whispers words of wisdom that banish doubt and quiet fear.
For I'm walking everyday with Jesus, with Jesus, my Saviour;
For I'm walking everyday with Jesus, I'll go with Him, with Him all the way!

I am walking every day with Jesus, although His face I cannot see;
He has said 'I will be with thee alway', His promise is enough for me.
For I'm walking everyday with Jesus, with Jesus, my Saviour;
For I'm walking everyday with Jesus, I'll go with Him, with Him all the way!
-Alexander's Hymns, no. 60

Back to South Africa!

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He chose for His inheritance...the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine" -Psalm 33:12, 18-19

For those of you who haven't heard about my summer plans, begin reading here:

God has provided another wonderful opportunity for me to return to South Africa this Summer 2010! I caught the "bug" for South Africa in 2004 when I first visited, and after returning twice since then, I don't know if I'll ever recover! When I last returned in October 2009, I realized a need I had missed before - the need for discipleship among the people. There is a great need both to evangelize AND disciple the people of South Africa how to live as a believer in Jesus Christ. Without understanding what Christ commands are and why it is important to follow them, people are living hopeless lives that many times end in despair. After I returned to the States, I began to pray that God would provide a way for people in South Africa, specifically the Zulu (who I've worked with the most and have a heart for) to learn the Bible and live by the Bible. In November I learned about TWR, formerly known as Trans World Radio - an international Christian radio ministry located all around the world that provides programming on knowing Christ and growing in Christ...and they have a regional office in Johannesburg.

You know where this is going...=) After a process of seeking out the ministry and filling out paperwork for internship opportunities, I was offered a position as the Wholistic Health Intern for the Summer (actually, their Winter) 2010. (Continue reading!)

For those of you who know about my internship in South Africa, begin reading here:

In a matter of one month God has provided all of the money needed for the internship with TWR, and I am STOKED! I am now counting down the days until I go; about one month exactly (well, a little more, but I'm "rounding"). I'm not exactly clear on everything my internship requires, but here's a brief description: write programming on life-threatening illnesses, work on the human trafficking program content, provide some health workshops in primary schools, and help with needs analysis, research, and monitoring and evaluation . I cannot wait to arrive in South Africa, a country I absolutely LOVE, and bring hope to people in Jesus' name. I will also be able to connect with friends I made during my time in SA in 2008, which I am VERY MUCH looking forward to. Please pray for me as I go - that I will be able to write the programming with passion and in a way that people will listen, that I am able to invest in people's lives individually, and that I will know if TWR is a ministry I would like to work with full-time after I graduate.

I will be updating this blog while I am gone, so I'm posting this to let you know where to look for updates. I will attach it to Facebook and send it via email as well. Thanks for your support and prayers! For the South Africans reading this blog, can't wait to see you and hug your neck! My prayer for the Zulu is that one day they will be able to claim the rest of Psalm 33: "We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name"

Ashley (from The Summit Church) and me the last day of MK Camp.

View of one of the townships in Soweto.  People make their houses from scrap pieces; they have no electricity or running water, no AC or heater, and live very meager lives.

Standing in a circle to play a game with some of the kids in Soweto at one of our Kids Camps.  The kids would fight over who got to hold a white person's hand.  These two girls would not let go of me!  It was very sweet, and I was reminded how much they need to be shown the love of Christ.

I don't know this little boy's name, but you can see the glimmer of joy in his eyes just from hanging around us.

Sarah giving the Bible story.  Many of the kids knew basic English, so they were able to understand Sarah's story about Jesus and the little children. 

MK Youth Camp Dec 28- Jan 1

Trent and I singing during one of the worship sessions.

A modern version of "Jousting". So hilarious to watch!

Tug-of-war:  Team Narnia against Team Gondor....Narnia won. I was on the Gondor team so I was sad.

Some of the MKs showing Gondor spirit. They got into it!

Practicing with "the band" before MK Camp. I'm sitting with Tim; his twin brother Steve played the electric guitar. I played the keys (obviously) and sang, and Trent was lead guitar and vocals.

MK Youth Camp was a blast! After spending Christmas with Trent's family in Pietermaritzburg, we drove back to Johannesburg to help with the annual MK (Missionary Kid) Youth Camp for all MKs in Southern Africa. Trent was asked to lead music for it, and he asked me and some friends to help.  We practiced for hours(!) before the camp started, and ended up sounding really great (at least I thought). We wanted to provide worshipful, Biblical, youthful songs for the campers, and I feel like we did just that. 

Camp was a lot of fun! I roomed with several girls from all over; some were Journeyman or short-term missionaries, and others were from a church called The Summit in Raleigh, North Carolina.  I made lots of friends and was able to get my "fill" of youth because I LOVE working with them! 

Kurt Holiday, an IMB missionary working in Johannesburg, led the Bible teaching every night, and "the band" led the music. Every morning different MK musicians helped lead music with us; that was fun, getting to teach them the different songs and help lead them in leading others to worship.  The theme for the week was 1 Tim 4:12, "Don't let anyone look down on you because of your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity."  It was a great challenge to the campers, and to us adults as well!

For New Years, Trent and I led the worship service at camp, then drove into Joburg (about 45 minutes away) and led a watchnight service with Florida Baptist Church. We sang songs and prayed in the new year. It was very meaningful, especially because I had never been to a watchnight service before.  Afterwards  Trent and I drove back to camp and celebrated the beginning of 2009 with sparkling grape juice. Happy New Year! 

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.