I can’t thank everyone enough for the support you provided to get me here!
Our journey started in at Atlanta where we had launch from January 7th to the 10th. It was a few days of learning more about leadership, how to interact with ministry hosts, scenarios, being in intentional and real community, and much more. My mom was able to come to launch and it was amazing to have her there. The parents got to hear more from Adventures in Missions and share some really precious time with us and also connect with other world race parents. We had some coffee and teary eyed goodbyes after our last lunch together!
Finally, it was the day that we had all been preparing for the last year!!
We traveled from Atlanta to Johannesburg, which was a 14 hour flight! Another squad was on our flight, so we basically took over that plane with almost 80 world racers on it, it was a blast!
When we arrived in Joburg, my team got to stay with some family friends for the night (dankie tannie Elmarie!). We were greeted with champagne and a delicious meal, we swam and fell asleep to some amazing and much needed rain. The next day we left on a 17 hour bus ride to Port Elizabeth with another team. We got there the next day and were treated to an awesome welcome lunch by the beach and then we settled in to our home for the month. We are so blessed to live in a house with two bedrooms with bunks and twin beds, a hot shower, kitchen for us to cook our own food in and a really cute living room with a perfect view of the sunsets. We are sharing our home with our ministry hosts and there’s a door separating our sides of the house. Our hosts have been super generous, they bring us delicious fresh fruit to enjoy, they give us rides and are letting us stay with them for free.
One of our contacts here in PE is an associate pastor at the church we are going to. He preached on Sunday and his message was spot on for what our team needed to hear. The worship was amazing and I felt a peace come over us that changed our attitudes completely. Suddenly it wasn’t survival mode anymore-we could start thriving. We all felt refreshed and spiritually fed. After the service we enjoyed popcorn and cappuccinos with everyone. We are all excited to partner with this church and seeing how God works in their lives.
The work we are doing this month is teaching at a school in a nearby township. So for now, I’m “teacher Lene”. Each of us got paired up with a teacher and we help teach the class. I’m with the 1st graders and the school only goes up to 3rd grade. The school was started and is run by the hosts that we live with! It’s a program for children in crisis, all the kids come from the township. Townships are areas on the outskirts of cities which are impoverished and very unsafe. The reality that most of these kids face each day is something our worst nightmares can’t even touch. The school also offers counseling to families, a Christ centered environment, after school care and a close eye on their overall well being and safety.
When we drive through the township, spiritual heaviness affects us really strongly. It’s like a heavy cloud that’s present and it’s hard to shake. I am learning about discernment and guarding my heart in places like that. Even though the conditions are rough and these kids come from hard places, they completely melt my heart. They love secret handshakes, being picked up, playing soccer, laughing and running around at the playground.
I have already seen God move in beautiful ways and it’s only our first week! We are learning so much as a team and about what real and raw community looks like. We have a house full of laughter and jokes and its such a joy to be a part of this team. Sorry for the long blog but just a glimpse into our first week here in Port Elizabeth! See my facebook for pics!
From South Africa with love,
Lene Botha
