6 pounds of butter, 90 loaves of bread, and about 700 slices of bologna. It’s 6am on Saturday morning in Durban, South Africa and my 6 new family members and I are churning out bologna and butter sandwiches like it’s our job.
We’re tossing them into giant plastic bins to bring to the children living in government housing flats. They know exactly when to expect their Saturday breakfast, and by 8:00 there are countless little girls and boys running behind the white church van as it pulls into their humble neighborhood before stopping where the line forms. Some of them have dirty mugs or empty soda bottles to fill with their share of juice. Some of them can’t speak a word of English, but they are more than happy to tell you their name in their native Zulu. A few of them even have their baby siblings strapped onto their backs. Most of them are still in their pajamas, but they’ve all surely each got a taste for that bologna and butter combo, and they know exactly what we’re bringing to the table.
This is the world race.
It’s been nearly two weeks since my team and I arrived at our host’s home in Phoenix, exhausted and disoriented by over 48 hours of travel time. Phoenix is a huge suburb of an even more massive city, densely populated by Indian people. My team and I are staying with a local pastor, Julian, his sweet and personable wife Michelle, and their witty 9-year old son Christopher. They’ve been beyond hospitable to us and are graciously providing us with beds, running water, electricity, Michelle’s delicious home-cooked meals, and even a washing machine. Our first week of ministry has consisted of putting on two holiday clubs (Vacation Bible Schools) in the mornings and speaking and sharing at various church services and bible studies in the evenings.
Yesterday I got to celebrate my 22nd birthday! My teammates wrote me some beautiful poetry and I even got a princess themed birthday party, complete with crowns, a birthday barbie, brownies, and popcorn.
Tomorrow my team is getting interviewed as part of a local radio show. We’ll be getting some air time sharing what we are doing and a little bit about how we ended up on the world race.
I’ve been truly blessed to be a part of what God is doing in this community. My team and I have gotten to see some true faith in action as we’ve interacted with churches and the youth of Phoenix. It seems crazy that we are already almost two weeks in and heading to Swaziland in August! I can’t thank you all so much for your support and prayers. I absolutely wouldn’t be on this journey without you. On that note, I’m still raising support! I’m about 55% funded and have to reach 70% by October to stay on the race. Keep those prayers coming as my team and I are used to impact this nation with the Lord’s love.
Love you all!
Kelly
