A little overdue, but here we go:
Month 3 felt like an extended version of month two- it all kind of blended together and went by way to quickly. It started with normal ministry days. My team struggled with not having a set ministry/ being split up every day and doing different tasks. We finished off building the classroom, which was really cool to see because when we arrived in September, it was just empty land! I spent a lot of time cooking with my host again, and my team got to work with a man named Lucas. He is the school’s handyman/carpenter. We built a lot of things like desks and tables and got to spend a lot of time with him. He is so funny and wise, we got to learn a lot from his faith. His son Sangay was always running around campus. He is like our squad’s little brother. We continued on at the animal shelter and building relationships with the children in the townships. My last ministry this month was evangelizing to teenagers at night in the town. A lot of students graduated high school in November and would come to Jeffery’s Bay to celebrate and party. We would go into town around 9pm and pray for the streets as well as the whole town, that there would be safety and Christ would be found in the students searching for “what’s next”. People joined us in prayer and we shared testimonies and stories with so many.
In month 3, we had a World Race 11n11 team join us at GLA. A team of all girls who were absolutely amazing. They were a blessing to be around and to learn from. We had an amazing opportunity to visit Cape Town around mid month. It was such a dream. A place that I have wanted to visit since I was a kid. It was absolutely beautiful and I wish that we could have spent more time there. Also I’m the middle of the month, we had to move out of the Mission House and into some of the classrooms. The organization we partner with “Global”, has a program very similar to the Race, and their missionaries returned home after 11 months. They moved into the House for a two week debrief, so we slept and lived in the school. It was a challenge, especially when you are trying to brush your teeth in the bathroom while in your PJ’s, and a bunch of high schoolers walk in and it’s just awkward.. But, we did get to make really cool relationships with the Global team! One night we all had a dance party until 2am (the absolute latest I have stayed up since being away). Also I’m month 3, we had lice. ALL THE TIME. It never went away! When we finally thought we had conquered the bugs, we would find more. But, we finally got rid of them after a WHOLE DAY of treatment and picking through hair (I never got it, thank God). In South Africa, I started reading the Bible chronologically. Reading through the Old Testament has been challenging, but has allowed me to devote myself and to stick to something really cool. I love learning, so the history of the Old Testament has been really interesting to read about.
Month 3 was my last month in South Africa. While here, I took 5 cross country bus rides, had tons of ministry assignments, visited Cape Town, and was exposed to a community that would mold me and change me forever. Finally, in the last of month 3, we had to say goodbye to South Africa. After 3 months of living in and loving the country and the community, we packed up our bags. Saying goodbye to our hosts was not easy. There were lots of tears. We made our last trips to our favorite coffee shops and to the beach. Then, we took a 17 hour bus ride, a 11 hour plane ride, a 12 hour layover, and another 12 hour flight to Ecuador! Talk about a long travel day. We had a layover in Paris (12 hours) and I was in complete culture shock at how expensive everything was compared to SA… I mean, 25 euros at Starbucks????? I had an Air France voucher, that was the only way that I could get away with that on a missionary budget. Also, I have never experienced more swollen ankles then on two 12 hours flights. I thought my feet were going to explode. But finally we made it to QUITO, ECUADOR!!! A new country, a new 3 months, a new ministry. My team will be working with CRU, similar to Young Life. We will be evangelizing in high school and college campuses. We haven’t started yet, so I will update more when things are up and running. For now, I’m trying to get over altitude sickness (Quito is at 10,000 feet!), and I am adjusting to the new culture of South America and everything that it offers. Please be praying for this new season! Thank you for reading and checking in!
Sam
