I am just going to take few minutes for some general updates… again, internet time is at a premium. We are down the road just a half hour or so from Refilwe at a missionary retreat called Alabanza. It is a fantastic refuge and the accommodations are sparkling. And by sparkling I mean they are really great by African standards. I’m actually in my tent for these next two weeks, but I’m sleeping comfortably and have access to real toilets and hot showers. Our cook is fabulous and we are very blessed by her. She has a great servant’s heart.
We are in the heart of our second week of camp and this group has a totally separate personality. Although they are mostly middle class children who go to good schools, there is still a huge need. Yes, they know more Bible stories, but they still have generations of traditional African religious practices to overcome. The practice of ancestor worship and the presence of evil spirits and witch doctors are all prevalent in the lives of these children. We bathe every morning in prayer for the children; that they would ask questions and become curious and desire to dig deeper into God.
I’m branching out and helping to lead a small group this week. A wonderful woman named Charlie is carrying most of the burden, for which I am most thankful. The Bible study times are amazing and the kids are really opening up and sharing some of their lives. It’s really stretching me and I’m very thankful to have the opportunity to learn new things. I led recreation last week and it was not much of a stretch for me. God has called me to step out a bit this week and I’m listening.
The mornings have been amazing but crisp, and the sunsets are nothing short of breath-taking. We’ve been really blessed and covered with Jesus as a friend this week. Our church service Sunday was not a choir and preacher, but a family of believers speaking life into and uplifting each other. It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. We are all priests, we are all an integral part of the body of Christ and we were all encouraged to fulfill those roles on Sunday.
I got to drive! It was super-cool! Somehow I became the one they designated to get some experience driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road. I hope that I get to stay in that role all year. Please keep team concrete in your prayers; we have some family sickness and some financial issues. Also, Sean, from team Awaken, injured his ankle today. Pray for him as well. I forgot to bring the coordinates, so I’ll edit them in later. I pray that everything is well in the States. Happy 4th of July!!
S 25o 46.728′
E 027o 59.595′
