Catching Up from SA

Here's updates from the SA team!

We made it safe and sound! Thanks for all your prayers, our travel to Durban was almost perfectly smooth and we praise God for providing for us those few times it wasn't! The 14.5 hour plane ride from D.C. to Jo'burg was a bit long :o) but being here is well worth it! We were pickedup by Deb Austwick and brought to our Bed and Breakfast in a taxi bus. It may take a while to get use todriving on the left side of the road though!! It was dark when we arrived,so we haven't been able to see too much of Durban and are excited for our day tomorrow!! Not too much to write today, but we wanted to leave you with a few things we talked about in our debriefing time tonight after we ate a delicious meal from Steer~ burgers, chips and Fanta:)

The first question we discussed was how we have already seen God impacting our lives and about our experiencesso far. Many of us had opportunities to talk to people in the airports and on the planes about Quest. Because of that, one student even shared what it means for them to trust God in their own lives with a businessman! We've begun to recognize the awesome opportunity we have in coming here and the need to pray for boldness for sharing about Jesus.

The second question we talked about was what we hope to receive from God on this trip. A few students reallydesire to allow God to use this trip to change them permanently. That this is another step towards Christ's love being deeply embedded in their lives and that they will represent Jesus well in every situation and interaction; here and at home. Students said that they really want to share the JOY of following Jesus without fear, to not look back on this trip and think about what they could have done, to stop thinking about what "others" think of them and realize we live for God and God alone, and to simplify their live and learn to trust God in big decisions.

“You just ate a King Steer, feel the power inside you”- Jared to Amber
“if that makes sense..” Deva
“Deva for President”

Day 2
Greetings from South Africa! We are sorry we haven't been able to post, we have had some internet and computer difficulties! We had a great day yesterday! We spent the morning with Deb and Barry, getting our South African orientation. In the afternoon, we spent time in KWA DABEKA, a township in Durban. We spend 2 hours playing with toddlers and babies in a government run orphanage and did NOT want to leave!! We then got a tour of KWA DEBEKA from some of the local youth in the area. We had a fun encounter on one of the roads by some local 6-7 year olds whose job it is to fix potholes on one of the roads :o) The area is gorgeous, but the people there are very poor. We then got to hang out and share some testimonies with the local youth before going to another youth group and sharing there also! Two very different youth groups, but the same in the desire to share Jesus in their own community!

I'd like to finish with a reflection from one of our youth after the time in the orphanage. "Kids walked/ran up to us right when we walked in, wanting to be loved, played with and given attention. When we had to leave, one of them wrapped their arms around me and wouldn't let go. I want to be like that with God, running to meet him and not wanting to let go.

We are off to another orphanage, to play some soccer and build a gaga pit! it is WICKED hot!! thanks for your prayers!