We just crossed over the border from South Africa to Zimbabwe. We took an overnight bus and had been traveling roughly 11 and half hours already when we arrived at an extremely busy border crossing at 3:30am! As we pulled up all we see is a gigantic line of people. I knew it would be a longer one, but I never dreamed what was about to take place over the next 11 hours. Most border crossings take about an hour. The crossing from South Africa into Lesotho and vice versa took a little over two hours. Apparently South Africa doesn’t want to let you go easily! When you have 10+ hours of standing/sitting in line God likes to start reminding/teaching you things. I am going to share with you 11 things I was taught/reminded during our 11 HOUR border crossing.
11. Even though we would have liked to spend our time together in other ways he reminded me how to be creative about spending quality time with my squad mates. Some had deep conversations, some played games, and some just laid on the asphalt and took a nap together.
10. God taught me patience in a big way. 11 hours enough said!
9. People are people no matter what country you are in. Some are patient and want to help you and others don’t care to stomp on you to get ahead. We all need grace folks, but I was especially thankful for the ones who would help us!
8. I was reminded of the language barrier. Being in the South Africa I almost forgot that was a thing. But even when it exists God is faithful to send someone to help translate. He never fails!
7. I was reminded to listen to God’s voice and pray for people accordingly.
6. I was reminded how important rest is. We didn’t have a lot of control over the amount we have had today, but it’s a good reminder to take it when you are able and make time for it. Standing for 11 hours will remind you rest is essential.
5. I was reminded how much you can learn about God by just observing the people He created in his image. I saw His love, his gentleness, His patience, His kindness, and of course I saw some non-Godly character as well. It’s just a reminder of the grace we all need.
4. I was reminded of God’s favor even in a seemingly difficult day as the guard who was supposed to check all 43 of our packs decided after a few that it was good enough. It probably would have been a 12 or 14 hour border crossing if he had gone through each one.
3. I was taken back to month 3 in Greece at the refugee camp. The place we were at looked very similar and being in a large group of people in a line triggered this one. I was reminded this was pretty much their life now. Waiting in huge lines to get food, go to the bathroom, get clothing, or trying to interview to leave the camp. I felt a very tiny morsel of the frustrations they experience on a daily basis. Never stop praying for the precious souls around the world that are displaced and looking for a safe place to live.
2. Evangelism is a great way to spend 11 hours with complete strangers.
1. God is so good even if you have to spend 11 hours crossing a border!
So X squad survived our 11 hour border crossing. Even our mentor, who has been to over 40 countries around the world made the statement that this one was one for the books! After 27 hours of travel we are here! You know just another fun story from the World Race! Please continue in prayer for us as we have to cross back over into South Africa to fly out at the end of this month when we head to Haiti! Pray for our last three months of this incredible journey!
