Sawubona, dear readers!!
This month, my team is in Pretoria, South Africa, partnering with a ministry called POPup. POPup is a local ministry that mentors individuals intellectually, physically, mentally, and spiritually. They have three different centers in South Africa, and we are at the location in Salvokop. They provide medical service, counseling, hot meals every day, a clothing closet, and even a center for children! All of this is done with the main goal of sharing the hope of Jesus.
With all of these ministries in place, there is more than enough room for my team and the other team that is staying here. We’ve all been placed in ministries that Russel (our contact) thought we would fit best in. of course, I was placed in children’s ministry!
For the next few weeks, I’ll be working with the POPkids program along with three other girls in our group. The children are actually on holiday this week, but that doesn’t mean we get a break! We jumped right in on Monday, sanding and varnishing an ENTIRE jungle gym! The whole job took us a couple of days, but the rest of our squad jumped in and helped us on one of the days, which made it go by so much faster. Today, we spent the whole morning painting tires for one of the POPkids centers. I am COVERED in varnish and paint…and I love it!
I thought I was in love with Africa when I visited last year, but with every passing day here, I can feel my heart expanding for this place and the people that live here.
Here’s a glimpse at what’s been going on in the time we’ve been in Pretoria:
1) We got to reunite with our WHOLE squad. Our team came in early due to a scheduling conflict with our contact in Zim, so I actually got to go do ministry with a couple of the teams at an orphan care center. We spent a week here just enjoying being together again.
2) We went to Passion: World Tour in Pretoria. Saw Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, and Louie Giglio live. Worshipped God like crazy.
3) Explored the city near where we’re staying. Ate at a McDonalds(don’t even pretend to be surprised), went to a park, saw the local mall, did a LOT of walking.
4) Said goodbye to almost every team on our squad as they left for their various ministries around South Africa. (Love you, I Squad! See you in a few weeks!)
Stay tuned for another blog chronicling everyday life here and what God’s been showing me/calling out in me! I am SO SORRY I haven’t been keeping up with blogging, lovely readers. We get internet every other day here, so I promise I will communicate with you all more. And maybe have a few pictures to show you!)
Love and thanks to my sweet supporters! I wouldn’t be here without you!
-Anna
