Month 3, South Africa. Time has already flown by. What an adventure it has been. I came into month 3 not really knowing what to expect, after being in Asia and with the whole squad for 2 months. Africa has been not only new culture but our team alone for the first time. The first thing we noticed was lines on the road and how they follow traffic laws here! Crazy. We traveled to Somerset West and it was a breathtaking journey and its been one surprise after another. The best being our (the girls) Host family, The Barnes =))
We arrived at our host home exhausted after 21 hours on a bus after various plane rides. We hadnt showered in, ummmm, well lets just say a while. Emily, Al and Jane’s youngest daughter, welcomes us with open arms =) She is loving and caring and made us feel at home instantly! We then jumped in their amazing salt water pool clothes and all. Brandy, the dog, follows us in and boom we were home. Jane arrived about 20min later and made us sandwiches and after our long travel day they were beyond perfect! Thought the day we met the rest of the family, Aimee, Emily’s older sister, and Allen. Everyone hugged us, and made us feel so welcome.
We now refer to Jane and Al as Mom and Dad. They hug us before we leave and hug us when we return asking about our days and what we did. We’ve had great conversation and silly fun together. Their story as a family is a testament to what the Lord can do if you simply allow Him in.
The Barnes have made this month seem more like vacation than a mission trip. But when Jesus blesses you with opportunities like this you simple say thank you =) Ive been so blessed in South Africa, I couldn’t have imagined to meet and spend time with such a wonderful family, much less be loved and cared for they way they have loved us =) We leave in 6 days and for the first time, and most likely not my last, I will cry to leave this home.
