Okay homies, Month one is done. ShEs In ThE BaG.
Home boy was way different than I could have ever expected. Im gonna be real with you guys. I was expecting it to be scorching hot here. I was expecting ministry to be with little kids in like the dirt or something. I thought we’d be sleeping in tents, without toilets. But none of that is the case haha, instead the “worst” thing that has happened to us is the excessively long toast line in the morning.
The Lord has provided us with so many comforts that remind us of home, but I know that’s because he’s stretching us in ways that my squad and I could have never prepare for. The fact that J-bay, and South Africa in general, is so similar to the states has been a blessing but also so challenging. Initially many of us felt guilty, that we were so blessed. Especially after getting to spend a weekend with another squad that has been living in similar conditions to the ones that I listed earlier. We felt guilty that after ministry we could walk to McDonalds, get a McFlurry, and use wifi. But despite these distractions, this was the kind of environment we didn’t know we needed this first month (and for my team and I the next two months). The fact that this journey so far has looked so similar to home has made it that much more fruitful. We’ve been learning that going to get coffee, riding in a cab, sitting on the beach, or going to the grocery store are all ministry opportunities. The way we look at our day to day has changed so much already, and it’s so applicable to life at home, in the states. If I can start conversation with my waiter and tell her about Jesus in Jbay, why the heck can’t I do that in Illinois.
Just the other day my team and I decided to grab lunch together and go to Pick-N-Pay to grab some snacks and things for dinner that night. A couple of my teammates were still checking out so the rest of us got some ice cream from a stand outside the store. The women working could tell by our accents that we weren’t South African so she asked where we were from and my friend, Braeden explained that we were on this journey, traveling across the nations because we love Jesus and we want to tell others about Him, then the women got kinda quiet and gave my teammates their ice cream. 5 minutes later we heard her say “excuse me” so we all turned around and then she literally said “Can you tell me more about Jesus please?!” So collectively we all came over and asked what she wanted to know. She then pulled out a notebook and said she wanted to take notes to tell her kids about Jesus too…
Her being so thirsty for the Lord brought me so much joy. We simply came to get snacks and the Lord placed us there at the perfect time to be able to tell her about our father.
He’s not quiet folks. Not here in Africa, and not at home either. We just have to open our eyes to see all the small opportunities the Lord is lighting up right in front of us. And we have to be obedient and say YES to following His voice.
I’m so thankful for all of you that supported me on this journey so far and allowing me to be there and help water those seeds in that women’s life and so many others. Im expectant and excited for these next two months I get to spend continuing to grow my relationships with my brothers and sisters from Jbay.
Over and out
-Morgan M
