I’ve written the blogs. Now it’s time to post them. Here’s part two of a four blog frenzy. Read Durban to Cape Town to get caught up on my month in South Africa back in January.
I entered into ministry with two of our squad’s teams in South Africa a week into the month. I had some catching up to do.
At the same time, I am so grateful that God allowed me to enter into the situation with fresh eyes.
Within an hour of being present with the team, I was asked to have a meeting with the two team leaders and the contact. Something was off.
I spent the next few days taking everything in. I watched as I saw people having to sift and sort through their expectations for the month and allow some things to be released. I had conversations about unity and choosing joy and needing grace. Both with the teams and the contact. I gave feedback to our contact multiple times throughout the month. And I had similar conversations with the women on our teams.
It was an interesting thing to walk into. But it was still good. I watched as the women from T squad lessened their expectations and established new hopes for the month. And while some things were not ideal, they bonded through laughter. And boy, did we laugh that month. It was a funny month, though not always fun. And like anyone, I saw a need for grace for the women on the team. Both for them and from them.
I got to know our contact better. Probably more than anyone on our teams because I ended up having more conversations with her. And like anyone, I saw a need for grace. Both for her and from her.
And I moved through the month in what is likely be the longest three weeks so far on my Race. I was frustrated, confused, proud of my teams and humbled by the position I was in to lead. And like anyone, I knew I needed grace. Both for myself and from myself to others.
But the lessons in grace were not always easy to learn, easy to apply, nor were they easy to accept.
Part 3 about my month in South Africa back in January is coming to you soon.
