Hello, from South Africa! It is MONTH #6 here on the World Race, and in 3 days, G-Squad will hit its halfway hump! Some days, it is difficult to believe we have been gone this long, and other days, it feels like we've been out here for much, much longer. I must say that today, though, it feels like we're halfway there (and livin' on a prayer)!
After last month's emotional, spiritual, and physical battles, I was feeling pretty exhausted. Prayers for renewed energy, patience, endurance, and joy escaped my lips quite often as my time in Swaziland progressed. As we said our goodbyes, my emotions were mixed: I loved the beautiful scenery surrounding me and the wonderful people I had met, but I had grown tired and weary. As we made our way to Durban, South Africa for debrief, I was feeling quite defeated – "Lord," I cried, "I need a change! And I need rest!"
Soon after getting to debrief, I learned that I would be on an all-girl team this month (yay, no boys! don't worry, they were just as excited for a month with just the dudes), and that I would be serving in Jeffery's Bay. Upon arriving here in J-Bay, I was showered by a wave of peace. It was 1:30am, but I could hear the ocean waves crash behind me as I grabbed my bag, "Come rest, my daughter," the Spirit whispered. As it turns out, God had something up His sleeves! Shocking 😉 I am spending this month in a little surfer town on the Eastern Cape. The beach is right outside my front gate, my host Lyndon is a warm and friendly guy with a huge servant heart (and mad skills in the kitchen), and our ministry is a ton of fun! We are helping with a youth camp in a rougher area of town, playing with and loving on children ages 3-12 (I'm on the dance crew, so I get a mini groove session in every morning, too!), and the guys who lead are really stinkin' awesome – so filled with energy and the love of God. Yesterday, we helped them paint a woman's house and I cannot believe how much we laughed! During our lunch break one of them pulled me up on stage to sing, and later, my new friend Vovo and I had a bit of a paint fight (he TOTALLY didn't play fair!). I am already amazed at how much I love them and am going to miss them once camp is over next Friday.
If there is one thing I have learned through walking life alongside my Father, it is that He doesn't half-ass anything. He loves me and He always pulls out all the stops when showing me the depth of that love. Hello? He died on a cross for me! For US! And as if that weren't enough, He continues to lavish us with life and goodness and favor. A life of complete surrender unto the Lord is usually SO much brighter and SO much more free, I don't know why it takes us so damn long to get there! Dear friends, PLEASE trust the Lord with your life, SURRENDER all at His feet. There is a life of wonder and adventure and LOVE awaiting you! It might not look like my life or the next guy's, and you can bet it will get a little rocky at times, but it'll be worth it. I promise. How do I know? Because He promised. And so far, in my life, He has been faithful.
I am only week one into month #6, but I am already feeling…different. Good different. I suppose it is hard not to with this ocean breeze blowing (who doesn't love beach hair?!) and the waves crashing on the sand. I cannot wait to share how God moves the rest of the month. He's already been so good to me, and even though I am still working through some things, I am hopeful that He is using this month to prepare me for the second half of this journey 🙂
Which reminds me, I am still in need of $2,200 to stay on the Race and I need it BY January 1st! That's only 3 WEEKS AWAY! If you'd like to be part of how God is blessing this missionary girl, PLEASE donate here online OR email me at: [email protected] for details about mailing financial gifts!
I love you guys. Thanks for loving me back 🙂
