I’m a bit overdue for this one. In the last post, I mentioned my new team and leaving Asia. Well, I’m no longer in Asia and will be surrounded by African cultures for the next three months! It’s crazy how quickly times flies. It’s only been a week, and already, I love it here! The people are warm and friendly, my host is incredible, and the ministry is amazing.
This is the first month I’m spending with my new team. We don’t know if we’ll spend a few months together or the rest of the race, but we are all excited for whatever is to come. It’s another all girls team, and together, we decided to call ourselves team clutch! When coming up with our name, we wanted it to sound a little silly, but we also wanted the name to declare who we would be as a team.
Think of driving a stick shift. When trying to go anywhere, there is a certain precision that needs to exist while letting out the clutch and pressing on the accelerator. The Accelerator, break, and clutch have to work together to move a car, and if one is out of whack, the car has issues. We as a team want to work together as different pieces in the bigger picture.
We also believe that each individual on the team has a skill set that will push everyone else into success. We all “come in clutch.” See what I did there? Already, all of our individual skills are being used in ministry this month at a safe house here in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. From young mothers who are my age to day old babies, the center is a home for those who were physically and sexually abused. My team and I live at the center with everyone; we eat our meals with them, play games and make cookies with them. They’ve welcomed us with open arms. In the mornings, we play with the younger kids because some of the girls go to school outside the center. There is also a group of older girls. They stay at the center and study various skill sets at the center. Everyone on my team has gifts that the center can use! Those skilled in art teach art in a sustainable way. We want them to learn how to make and sell their creations. Those who know hair teach girls how to take care of Caucasian hair. From teaching first aide and dance, we all have something to do. For me, one of my skills is cooking. I usually have a hard time cooking for myself let alone using it for ministry on the race. That’s not the case here. Twice a week I teach a cooking class. From knife skills to practical recipes God is using me to take what I know and give it to others. That’s cool!
This month, there is incredible opportunity to love and pour into these girls. We get to love them for who they are and not what’s happened to them. We get to have fun and be silly. We get to live life with them, and so far, I am loving it!
