This week my team and the three other teams from our squad that are in Johannesburg had our first FULL week of ministry with Impact Africa.
If I had to describe the week in one word, it would be just that: full. Our schedule has been full, but of such beautiful things.
Full of time to connect with God’s people here in Johannesburg. Full of time spent learning about the Lord and sitting in His presence. Full of laughter, card games, and deepening our relationships with each other.
Monday, our teams spent some time with the staff of Impact Africa talking about faith, world religions, and prayer. It’s such a blessing to be with a ministry host that is invested in pouring into our teams during our time here. They’re preparing us well for ministry here in South Africa, as well as for ministry in our next 11 countries.
On Tuesday, two of our teams spent the day helping a church prepare to expand their building by getting started on the foundation. The other two teams, including mine, spent the day in Zandspruit walking through the community to chat with the residents about Jesus, offer some encouragement, help out with laundry or any other household chores, and pray.
Zandspruit is an informal settlement or squatter camp in Johannesburg. People often move into Johannesburg from other parts of South Africa and the bordering countries for work and live in these areas.
My team spent Tuesday and Thursday in the community. For me, our days in Zandspruit were great practice for listening to what Holy Spirit was telling me to say and finding the boldness to actually share those words.
So far that has been a major theme in what the Lord is teaching me in South Africa. I’m learning to listen to what Holy Spirit is saying and act or speak accordingly. I feel like I hear from the Lord often, but I often let the lies in my mind talk me out of sharing or acting upon what I’m hearing.
Since we’ve been here God has been using people, His word, and the time I spend alone with Him to really get into my mind that what I hear from Him is worthy of sharing. Not because I have anything special to say myself, but because His Spirit lives in and speaks through me.
During our days in Zandspruit, our teams had so many God ordained, Spirit filled conversations. Many of which led people to giving their lives to Jesus. I personally witnessed eight people make that decision and got to pray a prayer of salvation with two of them. That was the first time I’ve had the chance to pray with someone to accept Jesus, and I’m hoping that’s a memory I hold onto forever. There’s nothing more beautiful.
Wednesday, my team spent the day in a school in Diepsloot, another informal settlement. We taught a “Life Orientation” class to four groups of students around the ages of 13-15. Their lesson for the week was on “The Plan of the Enemy.”
This was 100% my favorite ministry of the week. I got to introduce the lesson by spending about five minutes telling our classes about who they are, how loved and valuable they are, and the power they hold because of Jesus. I’m discovering that speaking to people about their true identity is one of my favorite things in the world.
We then got to share a video with the classes and talk to them about how Satan has a plan to pull each of us out of God’s purpose and plan for our lives through lies and sin. My teammate Jeff shared his testimony with our classes and told them about how the enemy pulled him away from the Lord at a point in his life, but Jesus had other plans.
Friday, we spent the morning in an Impact Kids school, a school for 2-6 year olds run by Impact Africa, in Diepsloot. We spent some time teaching the kids about Peter walking on water with Jesus, sharing a memory verse, and dancing. The rest of the morning we assisted the teachers in classrooms however we could.
In the afternoon, we left the school and helped with Jabulani Kids, a mobile children’s program, in Diepsloot. We again got to teach the kids about Peter, share a memory verse and do some more “jiving.”
This week was full. Full of learning experiences, full of love, full of Jesus.
A quick fundraising update:
I am currently only about $400 away from being FULLY FUNDED for the Race. My birthday is in ten days and there is nothing that would mean more to me than being fully funded by then (August 27:). If you feel called to partner with me financially in the rest of this journey, there is an orange “donate” button at the top of this page where you can donate.
That’s all for now. You’re so loved and appreciated. Thanks for being part of this experience.
