Well, I made it to Johannesburg!! almost two weeks ago, but yall already know I suck at updates.
The start of this month was a little rough. When I arrived in Johannesburg I instantly wanted to be anywhere but here. & I took that attitude into ministry with me for a couple of days before I realized my attitude sucked. I found myself longing for Jesus to reveal himself to me, and in some ways He did. He reminded me that He made the ultimate sacrifice and died on the cross for me, a selfish girl that sometimes doesn’t like being where her feet are. & at that moment I instantly felt guilty as I had been spending my days complaining about what we had to do or where we had to be. Jesus not once complained about dying on the cross for me so why am I complaining about what He has called me to do. And that has been my life for the past week. Jumping into the calling the Lord has placed on my life, and it has been so beautiful.
Tuesday-Thursday we have outreach in the morning and afternoon, which looks like walking around squatter camps yelling “coco” hoping someone opens the door and lets you in. Once we are welcomed in we usually help with any chores they may have or just get to know them. Our ultimate goal is when we leave that our new friends know the love of Christ. & let me just tell you- God is good. I have seen one healing and three salvations in about a week and it has honestly been life changing. I have also made friendships that will last forever, as they are routed on our relationship with God. & nothing can ever shake that.
One of my favorite people I have met is Ntombi. She is a mother of four but also cares for two other children because of the servant heart she has. When we asked to help with chores she told us to come back in the afternoon and she would have some things for us to do. So when we arrived in the afternoon we stood around a bucket handwashing laundry for a good hour, but in this hour we got to know Ntombi and her heart. She was raised in a Christian home and it is so evident that she loves the Lord. We got to share some of our stories with her and she shared with us. It was such a beautiful moment and one that I will remember forever. She told us she had never had visitors before and we couldn’t believe it. She welcomed us with arms wide open and loved us well (she even bought us cold soda!!). Our afternoon came to an end fast but hoped to see her the next day! & God gave me the opportunity the next day to go back to her house with a few other people from my group. I got to talk to her about what God is doing in my life and how I spend time with Him. I wrote down my favorite books in the bible and she is going to start reading some of them. We plan to keep up with each other and I will for sure be back to see her and her beautiful family soon.
Here is a picture of me, Hallie, Ntombi, and her youngest child Mia (whose first birthday is Wednesday!!)
also, side note- all of Ntombi’s children’s names mean gift (aww)
& this has been my life the past couple of weeks and I can not wait to see how God will use me over the next few weeks!
til next time (which will probably be in the states!!),
Ellen
