South Africa: Month 6
Outreach (evangelism, kid’s ministry) in local townships
Muizenberg (on the outskirts of Cape Town)
Team Sozo
I always:
+ cringe when reflecting upon the freezing cold weather, the drafty rooms, the wearing of every item of clothing I could possible fit into. It was cold. REALLY cold. Praise the Lord we had hot showers this month. If we hadn’t, I truly do not know what I would have done.
+ smile when I hear the song “Diamonds” by Rhianna. It was the soundtrack of our month due to every child constantly singing it. I can still hear them in my head.
+ am convinced my favorite “off day” on the Race happened this month—Simon’s Town, leisurely lunch, sunshine, fantastic dinner, quality conversation, delightful company.
I sometimes:
+ forget I went great white shark diving!
+ take great delight when my faith is made complete by sacrifice (James 2:21-23).
+ And…dislike it. Praise God for His patience in our journeys.
I never:
+ thought my whimsical, dreamy brain would focus on logic long enough to learn how to solve the Rubick’s Cube. Thanks to my lovely teammate, Mary Douglas!
+ had a harder month on the Race than this one. The month 6 crazies, personal journey, teaching from the Lord, words of truth from my teammates—all contributed to this. It was hard, but it was good. As my dear friend Nicole so wisely has told me, “Hard things are not bad. They are just hard.”
+stopped marveling at the stunning sunset I saw every evening. It was glorious!
Mozambique: Month 7
Kedesh Santuario (a home for boys)
Beira
Team Sozo
I always:
+ think upon this month with a smile and a sigh. A smile, for it was pure delight to be present here. A sigh, for I miss it and long to return for a visit.
+loved the popcorn and movie time in the tree house that we had every night before bed.
+ will have a special place in my heart for Blande- my Mozambican little brother.
I sometimes:
+ forget we at the boy’s home were attacked by a group of armed robbers (armed with machetes and old guns). It was a big deal. And, I often forget about it. But, when I do remember, I always remember with thankfulness, for we were protected by the power of our God—no one was hurt, nothing of importance was stolen.
+ miss having to dodge goats and cows in our yoga sessions (and having to run from the irritable bull who was determined to constantly walk through the midst of us.)
+ still check underneath tables and chairs to make certain a handsized spider isn’t living underneath of them. (which was a good habit to begin before Asia)
I never:
+ tire of watching the videos from our last night here. Dance performances, martial art demonstrations, games, slow dancing with Blande—it was simply the best.
+ think of this month without remembering a beautiful, holy truth the Lord taught me through Blande (read about it here)
+ did learn how to braid challah bread just like Tito, but I did become skilled at baking other types of bread (and supervising 13 year old boys baking—a full-time job).
Swaziland: Month 8
The Anchor Center (anything and everything of which you can think)
N’Soko
Team B.A. (this was “feministry” month- the men & women were divided for the month and new teams were temporarily formed)
I always:
+ want to live in authentic community the way I did this month. Truth, challenge, love, and encouragement were consistently and boldly declared.
+ would see someone eating popcorn, no matter what time of day it was.
+ love “dreaming sessions” with good friends. I firmly believe in the importance of sharing dreams/goals/visions. Much fruit comes from it.
I sometimes:
+ still want to kill the cricket that kept us up for hours one night with its obnoxious, shrill, unceasing chirping.
+really miss listening to the voices of Swazi’s rising to the Lord in morning church. Everyone had a natural ability to harmonize. And everyone could dance. Sunday mornings were fun.
+ think I always want to have morning walks with friends like I did here. And, then I remember how cold it can get in certain parts of the world. I think I will make it a solely summertime activity.
I never:
+ gave much thought to yoga, nor did I imagine I would become a yogi. But, this month changed that.
+knew I would have such a difficult time sharing my tea mug. It was a constant lesson in selflessness. Over a tea mug. A super cute whimsical tea mug. But, a tea mug. God has to laugh at me sometimes. I can be such a two-year-old.
+again want to run out of water while shampoo is in my hair. I learned my lesson—to always keep a bucket of water handy when you are in a place where the water will randomly stop running.
