Ten days of “training camp” in Georgia, 10 hours of waiting in the Atlanta airport, 18 hours on a direct flight to South Africa, one night in a guest house, 4 hours on a bus to Swaziland, one night in an AIM house, 1 hour on a bus to Nsoko, and we have finally made it! It has been a crazy and long couple of weeks and I don’t even think I could begin to express all that the Lord has been doing.
I am co-leading (with two of the most amazing women, Erica and Sydney) a team of 15 crazy and incredible women ranging in ages 18-22. We had an intense time in Georgia, preparing ourselves emotionally and spiritually to begin this journey together. My prayer before the girls arrived was that the Lord would break my heart for these girls and allow me to feel their burdens. Well, let me tell you, be careful what you pray for. I have never in my life considered myself emotional, or an easy crier, but these girls have changed that. They are all incredibly beautiful and wonderful and have challenged me in so many ways. I have become heartbroken over things of their past, and amazed by the redeeming power of our Father. I know these next three months are going to be some of the most challenging months of my life. The Lord is calling me to go to those hard places with these girls, to pour out His grace upon them, and above all else, to LOVE them. We can believe so many lies about ourselves: that we’re not good enough, that we have to reach some spiritual place to be considered “good”, that things of our past are “too much” to bring to the Father. My heart for these women is that they know how much God not only loves them, but delights in them. There is nothing we can do ourselves, but it is by His grace that we have life.
On a more personal note, I am so incredibly excited to be back in Africa. This continent continues to grab my heart, and every time I return I feel more and more at home. I was in Swazi this past January for only a few short weeks, and was oddly at peace when the Lord cut that time short. It is such a blessing to look back and know that because I was obedient then, He has given me three whole months here. Since finishing the world race (www.theworldrace.org) only 3 short months ago, I have been struggling with processing everything that happened in those 11 months. But, I know that was God’s plan. He gave me those 3 months to spend with my family and friends and reconnect in so many ways to prepare me to leave again. Being back in Swazi has been so refreshing. The Lord has been speaking to my heart in amazing ways, and I daily wake up praising Him for everything: “Father, thank you for the cool weather to help me sleep, thank you that the car started today, thank you for this community you have brought me back to”. He has also brought kids back into my life who have given me so much joy. Seeing my little girl, Bongewe, chasing my little boy who I call “trouble”, and talking with my older girls who I connected with last time by playing netball (a form of basketball) has been so encouraging. The people here are beautiful, the ministry brings glory and honor to God, and the kids just steal your heart instantly. The Lord has blessed me so much in allowing me to return and I cant believe how lucky I am to be doing this.
I know it is going to be an amazing three months full of beauty, joy, laughter, tears, and freedom. The Lord is going to challenge me in my relationships, and grow me in leadership. I am so thankful for my coleaders and the unity that has come between the three of us and know I could never do this without them.
Prayer Requests:
– –Continual unity between our leadership team
– –Good communication with our contacts
– –Unity among our 15 girls
– –Freedom from the burdens of our pasts, and complete joy when looking into our future
– –Supernatural love and strength to be daily serving in this community
– –Protection over our time with the Father
– –A direction toward the heart of the Father above the needs of the people
– –Finally, for FREEDOM. The Lord keeps speaking that word to our leadership team and we desire true freedom for our girls; the freedom to be the women God has called them to be and know that we will provide love and encouragement in our community.
Thank you so much for supporting me through prayer and I will try to update my blog every couple of weeks!
