Greetings from South Africa!
After 27 hours of direct travel, our team made it safely to Durban Thursday afternoon. We were greeted by Deb, Barry and Mike-- friends from Westville Baptist. We settled in and ate a meal-- not knowing whether it was lunch or dinner since our bodies are still adjusting to the time change. It was an early night for most of us.
We had an early morning and headed to Hillcrest AIDS Centre where we met John, a man who has "retired" about 3 times and still finds his way back to Hillcrest to serve & volunteer. At Hillcrest we learned about the food and work development programs and how their goal is to share God's love in a palpable, practical way. We learned that many are learning how to farm, make pottery, make beading, sow, sell goods, etc to provide for their families and how many are stepping away from ancestral worship and experiencing a living, loving God. We also learned about the medical resources provided and the tender care that their Granny program provides many who are facing the last stages of HIV/AIDS.
Hillcrest was followed by lunch and then the afternoon at Kwadabeka. We learned that Kwadabeka was established as a settlement for Zulus in the days of apartheid-- its residents were forced into a 7pm curfew and the only entrance/exit road would be blocked after curfew. With apartheid ending in 1994, most adults remember those days vividly and often show grief over such a sad part of their national history.
The boys spent the day playing basketball and sharing how their faith has shaped their sportsmanship and life. The ladies spent the day playing with young children on the playground and briefly sharing with teenage girls who passed by.
After showers and dinner we headed off to youth group at Westville Baptist to play games, get to know South African teens and share testimonies and faith stories. Tomorrow we are looking forward to spending the day worshipping in various congregations, in various languages!
Thankfully, jetlag has not hit us too hard after yesterday-- praise God! Please pray for continued opportunities to share and live the gospel as we go throughout our journey! Thank you for your prayers!!!
Buh-bye!
22 comments:
Hello questies so glad to hear yall made it safely. Praying for your time spent in South Africa. May it be a time that you all would truly see our God work in mighty ways. May you all allow Him to work in your lives as you are there. Praying for you all. So excited to continue reading about your journey.
Praise God for your safe arrival without wild jetlag!! We are praying for you all as you share your testimonies and His love. You are doing a great kingdom work this week. You remind me of 1Timothy 4:12- Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for believers in speech; in life; in love, in faith and in purity. Blessings, Katie B, First Baptist Manchester
Praying for you all, love you Renéeeee!
Many blessings to you all... We are thankful for your safe arrival :)
So happy to hear you made it safely! Praise God. He will use you all in such amazing ways this week. Just be flexible and willing and put all your trust in Him. You all have worked so hard throughout the year for this trip and I pray that it doesn't just end when you get off the plane coming home. I'm praying hard for you and the other teams. I miss Marilyn and can't waot to see her and hear all about it when she comes home! Say hello to everyone over there for me! -Irene
Hi Daddy!! We love you and miss you! We have a calendar that we use to mark off how many more dad til you come home.
Caleb and Asher
“But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” Psalm 3:3
Rejoicing in God for all He has done and is doing through each and every one of you!! Keep praying believing prayers, keep trusting our big God to move mountains, and keep choosing to allow Him to be your glory for all to see and give Him praise!! "Only God can move mountains, but faith and prayer moves God!" E. M. Bounds
We too will continue to pray for you all!! With love, the Donaldson’s
Hello everyone. We are so happy to hear all three groups arrived safely! I honestly have to say I was watching the plane on the internet every step of the way lol. We are so very proud of all of you for what you are doing. Can't wait to hear your stories on how God is working through you. Kelly - we love you & miss you! We are praying for all of you.
John, Annette & Shannon
Hey Questies,
So happy to hear that you all made it safely and hopefully with all of your luggage too! I miss it so much and to hear about all you are doing fills me with great happiness.
Praying for all of you that God will open doors for you and give you incredible opportunities to share about His love and grace. Even more importantly I pray that your eyes will be opened to the opportunities he provides and that you won't miss them or let fear keep you from changing lives. You may never see the people you meet again so make the most of every moment you have over there.
You may not realize it right now but the impact you are having on these people can make a lifetime difference and you'll be surprised to find how much they will impact you at the same time. Only God can do that. He is with you every step of the way so be open to Him and how he plans to use and change you at the same time.
Think about you guys everyday and will continue praying for you and your trip. OVERFLOW.
God Bless,
Dan Flan
Q12
Hi Uncle Ken!I miss you!I also hope you have a great time at South Africa!LOVE 'KATLYN!
Thank God for your safety, God is good and may he use you for his glory to the utmost while y'all are in SA. Praying for you all, we missed you at YG Renee! Romans 10:1, may Paul's heart and passion for the lost be ours too. Stay strong!
So great to hear about your trip ~ SA team! We are lifting you guys up daily and praying for your faith in Christ to be built up as you serve Him! Love, Robert and Melanie Krumrey
HEY Q13!!
Sounds like you are all already having an amazing time!! It is so encouraging to read about!!
Praying for you all the time!
Mar- I love you so much, I am so proud of you & thinking about you all the way in South Africa I miss you so much!
Praying for health, strength and perseverance as a team!
Love,
Nat Q9 <3
hey isaac!! :) i miss you!!! i hope you're having fun in AFRICA!! oh man that's so exciting!! God bless!! love you :)
SOUTH AFRICAA! im so glad you all got there safelyy :) so isaac....AHHH being there must be so exciting! im sure the plane ride was one interesting trip...well i hope your enjoying every second there and im positive that you and the rest of your team re blessing the lives of each of the people you speak too..have fun! love you God blessss<3
Hey Isaac! Hope you're having an awesome time! I hope you and your team are doing everything you can and everything you hoped to accomplish where you are :) That you've already gotten used to talking to people there and are open with them... God bless you are the rest of your team see you next week! :))
hey isaac!!! hows africa? it looks really fun. i hope everything went good so far and i hope everyone is ok. whats up. i havnt seen you in like... days. i dont miss you yet but the feeling will be coming soon. goodbye because dre is a loser. =P
hey isaac its your best friend!!!i hope you have a nice time there and may god be with you and your team. i hope you come back with lots of stories to tell us
hey Isaac:) i cant text you anymore but i can sure blog you! lol hope your having fun! dont forget to give a hug to all the kids:) And to all of you dont forget to shine your lights nice and bright to all of us to see here back home! hope you all are having lots of fun:) with lots of love <3
Isaac, we missed you at Celebration Church this morning, but we know you are there for a good cause. We pray that God would keep blessing you and those who are in your group. See you soon, Pr. Roberto and Zenilda.
Hope you are having a chance to see God at work in your life and in the lives of the other teens. Remember to ask God to give you His eyes, ears and heart so you can take full advantage of the opportunities He has created for you. We have been praying for you! Blessings!
Hi Isaac! We miss you so much!!!! Can't wait to hear the stories of God using you and your team to touch others in a mighty way. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love you! Mom and Dad
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