Hey there!
I’m in Jeffery’s Bay, South Africa right now. I’m supposed to write this blog, but I didn’t really have any ideas. I asked a few people around me (because we are NEVER alone), “Give me the first thing that comes to mind, what should I write my blog about? Ready go!” and here’s some of the responses I got:
- Your mom
- Jesus
- What ministry looks like
- Living Area
- Waiting
- Dogs?
- I don’t know that’s too personal (thanks Sarah)
- Travel Day
- Ministry (again)
- Family
- Day in the life
YOuR mOm
I miss my mom more than I thought I would, but also way less than I thought at the same time. It’s weird, but cool I promise.
I miss having her scratch my back. I miss the way she would sneak up on me no matter where I was at in the house. I miss being able to call her whenever I had questions throughout the day. I miss her burnt cookies. I miss watching Hallmark movies with her. I miss being able to open up to her about anything because she was always going to listen. I miss my friend. I miss her less than I thought because I’ve realized how much I don’t necessarily need her. I know I will always need my mom in one way or another, but she taught me how to be independent and how to take care of myself. Living with 40 other people and starting life on my “own” has made me more thankful and grateful for her. I know how to do my own dishes, budget my money, clean house, go to bed at a decent hour, and plenty other life things. She set me up for success so well. And my dad. He was apart of all that too, but it’s not titled “your dad.” Anyway, to be honest, I’m thriving here. Thanks, mom… and dad. I love you guys.
Jesus
Lots of cool Jesus things are happening. I feel like my perspective on myself and others and the world has changed SO SO much in the first month of being here. To be frank, I’m not sure how to put into words what all He is doing in my heart, so to be continued on that.
I’m reading through the book of Acts in the Bible. Reading about how the apostles went into the world so radically to share the good news of Jesus is making my heart burn with passion. I want my life to reflect Jesus, and I want to be so filled with Holy Spirit that He spills out of me in every situation. I feel like I have so much to say about Jesus, and I want to say more, but I’m still processing everything. So, that’s all for that right now.
What Ministry Looks Like
We are partnering with a ministry called Global Leadership Academy (GLA). We start ministry at 10am and go until 4pm. This first month, each of our teams were split up to do different jobs for our ministry hosts. My team was put on desk and bathroom duty in the high school that GLA manages. Part of my team stripped down wallpaper in the bathroom and repainted the walls. Three walls are now a pretty blue color and one is chalkboard black filled with cute notes, encouragements and scriptures. The other part of the team (I did this part) sanded down desks and repainted them for one of the teachers at the school. This task was tedious, but so satisfying to see the transformation from where the desks were to the finish. Plus, my teammates and I were able to bond over something so small and have a ton of fun doing it. Who knew painting 30 desks could be so rewarding and life giving.
Living Area
I live in a 3-story log cabin with about 25 other women. We share 2 bathrooms, so you can imagine what it’s like to get ready for anything. I love living like this. We have tons of fun and make the most of every situation. For example, the other day we cramped 7 people in our little bathroom trying to get ready for bed. We rotated around the sink, and a couple girls were chillin in the shower brushing their teeth. I couldn’t imagine living any different at this point. We all have cozy little beds, and some people share bunk beds. My bed is right in front of a huge window that opens up to the most amazing view of the mountains seated next to the ocean and the windmills turning in the field with the horses and cows. We have beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and the stars glow like no other. Stay tuned for when I go to the beach at sunrise!
Waiting
I’m learning to wait on the Lord’s timing, especially when it does not match my own timeline. I’ve grown up hearing about how God’s timing is the best timing, and that’s what I have always believed and seen to be true. However, it is in moments of wanting to speed through a season of healing that God has been telling me to slow down and wait on His timing. I’m learning to have patience, and I’m diving deeper into what waiting on the Lord really looks like.
Dogs?
Yeah so I don’t know why this was an answer, but okay cool I’m using it.
A lot of people on my squad are dog people and have dogs. I’m more of a cat person. My teammate Sam and I bond over our cats which is fun.
I have one dog, Snickers. He’s been around since I was in third grade. I love him, but I think I’ll be okay when he dies. Which will probably be while I’m gone. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s still alive when I get home, though. He’s a survivor.
*A few days later*
Actually, scratch that. I just found out he passed away. It was a good 10-11 years, and I’m grateful for all the love he brought to our family. I know I was his favorite. You will forever be missed, Snickers.
I Don’t Know That’s Too Personal
This might be my favorite and least favorite response. It carries so much truth because your blog is your own and it’s important for you to make it personal. However, super unhelpful for my purpose of writing this blog. Anyway, love you Sarah, thanks for your truth.
Travel Day
We love a good travel day. It took 4 days to get to J-Bay. Days were long and strenuous, and I’m pretty sure we skipped Wednesday all together. We took 3 planes, a couple buses, a train, and a van, but I wouldn’t trade any of it. I got to experience many different people and bond with my squadmates in a new light. I watched so many movies, and if you know me, you know my soul was truly singing at that. We spent a whole day in an airport: sleeping on the floor, kicking around a hacky sack, singing songs to Jesus, and playing with some kids that were on a field trip. Learning to roll with what we were given and thriving in the unknown is what we got to do through those 4 days.
Ministry (again)
The second week ish of us being here we went to this church camp in town called UCSA. The camp was 5 days long, Friday through Tuesday. It was split into a primary school section and a high school section. Four of my squadmates were selected to be the “faces” of the camp. They bascailly gave all announcements and explained the activities to the group. The rest of us were paired off to be co-counselors for a group of kids. We lived in cabins with our campers, ate meals, had sessions, worship, played sand volleyball, went to the beach, did a scavenger hunt around town and lots more. My favorite part, though, was getting to know my campers and watching their relationships with Lord blossom. My teammate, Blaize, and I got the privilege of leading 9 high school campers: Star, Ivy, Meze, Ap, Smashy, Nekie, Naledi, Ed, and Bigga (that’s all their nicknames). At first, our conversations were awkward and slow because everyone was a little shy to open up. After the first couple of days, we were talking freely as friends. They taught me so much about their culture and I learned few words in their language to which they laughed at when I tried to pronounce them. And watching the Lord transform their hearts as they leaned into His presence was so beautiful. We had wonderful and fruitful conversations about all the questions they had about God and the Bible. You could definitely see God at work in all of their lives. Seeing the way they love and find joy in all moments was such a blessing. My time spent with them was too short for the impact they had on my heart, and I didn’t think I could grow so close and care about complete strangers in just a few days. It was sad to say goodbye after the week was over, but the Lord gave me peace knowing He was going to keep working and stirring in their hearts once they left camp. My campers gave me an African name (Nomathamsanqa which means “lucky”), a sir name (Kama), and a clan name (Mamqwathi, Manvulane). I’m honored to know I will always be apart of their family and to take a piece of them with me as I left a piece of my heart with them.
Family
I am a very family oriented person. When I was at home… I told my mom everything; my dad and I shared a meal almost everyday; my siblings are my best friends; I shared clothes with my sisters all the time; my brother and I have the same sense of humor and we were constantly laughing together; my niece is my favorite human EVER and I’m missing her 6th birthday TODAY; I hungout with my Gmama and Grandma Bell at least once a week; I saw at least one of my aunts and uncles once a week; I hungout with my cousins all of time (shoutout to Brea Brea bc I love you and miss seeing you every week); I worked out with family every morning @Brooke, Robby, Logan, and Drew. I don’t remember a time I wasn’t around/speaking with my family, so this time is very odd for me. I love my family so much and miss them like crazy. However, for this time, God has given me a new family. I’m surrounded by many many sisters who I can trade clothes with. Wendy is our house mom. She loves us, cooks meals for our whole team, and collects all our laundry to take to the laundry mat. Lehanie is my fill in cousin. We have coffee dates, go to cool places, and just do life together. Anita and Mulder are like my aunt and uncle. They love us so well and make us feel like family. I have 8 new brothers in Christ (BICs) that are so fun to be around. All these awesome people are who I get to do life each day, have holiday parties with, laugh with, cry with, and everything else in between for the time being.
Day in the Life
This is a typical normal week day.
5:45am – My first alarm goes off.
I continue to hit snooze.
6:30am – Wake up. Flash Karson the peace sign because I see her first every morning.
6:40am to 7:20am – Get Ready. Go downstairs.
7:25am to 8:00am – Team devotions
8:00am to 8:45am – Breakfast. I have a bowl of cereal and two pieces of toast with peanut butter.
8:45am to 9:50isham – “Morning session with _____” (That’s what I title my journal). Someone comes to bring the Word and share something the Lord put on their heart.
10:00am to 1:00pm – Ministry.
1:00pm to 2:00pm – Lunch. I probably nap for 10 to 15 minutes too.
2:00pm to 4:00pm – Ministry.
4:00pm to 4:30pm – Unwind from ministry. Change clothes if need be. Chill for a little bit.
4:30pm to 6ishpm – Team Time.
6ishpm -Din din.
6:45ishpm – Shower.
FREE TIME *kinda*.
9:00 – Start getting ready for bed.
9:30pm – Lock up house, anyone who doesn’t live with us must leave.
9:45ishpm – Everyone rushing to get ready for bed aka everyone crams in the bathroom.
10:00pm – Lights out.
10:05ishpm – Night night.
Anyway, there’s that. Thanks for reading! You guys rock and I appreciate the support thus far. God has been incredibly faithful through this whole process. Month one down! 8ish to go!
Have a fabulous day my dudes!(:
-Arielle
P.s. So sorryy it took me a month to write my first “hey I’m on the race” blog. I’ll try to be better about the next one.
