Hey friends,
Where is the time going? My time on the World Race going by so quickly it almost doesn’t even feel real. I have just started my second month in Africa (Zambia is my current location) and I wanted to share my three biggest updates so far since being in this amazing continent.
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I’m a squad leader now! For the first five months of being on the field, three alumni world racers chose to be with us to squad lead. They were like mother hens and we (the racers) were their chicks. They loved us and ministered to us so very well within those five months. Their time is up and the alumni have served us well on the field and are back in the U.S. and myself and two others will take up the role of Raised-up Squad Leaders.
I am now a team of three and will rotate within teams throughout the remainder of the race. Same adventure. Smaller team. New twist. I am very excited for this role because I get to build closer relationships within my entire squad- which is my ultimate dream!
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Everyone should visit Africa in their lifetime. Y’all. Africa is unbelievable. My first initial thoughts prior to arrival were… Lion King. Depending on where you are it’s not too far fetched. It’s quite a change from Asia, that’s for sure. The people are warm and welcoming and real. Meaning, you will know if they like or dislike you. It’s refreshing.
It’s nearing the winter time on this side of the world so it becomes cool at night. You would think it was 40 degrees by the way we dress. Turns out, you really do acclimate to weather! To top it all off, baboon sightings are very normal along with warthogs (pumbas from the Lion King). It’s the best part of my day when I see both animals in the middle of the street. Also, African time is a real thing. 10am could legitimately mean 1:30pm.
Church services in Africa may be the funnest thing I’ve ever experienced. We dance, clap hands, sing really loud and I think I may bring some of it home with me to America.
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Ministry in Livingstone, Zambia. This month’s ministry is located in Livingstone, Zambia. We are just on the other side of the Zimbabwe/Zambia border within walking distance to Victoria Falls. Livingstone is a smaller town but still a town nonetheless.
The team and I get to do ATL this month aka Ask The Lord which looks a bit different than “normal” months. Normally, when a team arrives we are partnered with a host and work alongside of them in whatever they have for us that month. In the words of one of my teammates, “the Holy Spirit is our host this month!” which is so incredibly true. We go to him for everything.
We go about our day and can’t wait for Him to interrupt us with His plans. Some days it’s just prayer walks in the mornings and ministering to vendors. Other days, it’s been making friends with street kids and planning days to play soccer.
We’ve been here almost one week and the Lord has already opened so many doors. On our third day we had plans to find a soccer field. We tried for almost an hour to leave the hostel but each time we ran into issues preventing us to leave. Finally we surrendered to the Lord and about five minutes later, in walks an AIM Passport mission trip that just finished their first month of being on the field. We got to spend some time talking to each member of the team, making connections, and ended the day worshipping with them. Oh how the Lord always provides in perfect timing. I had been missing America lately and being able to connect with different Americans with the same mindset was so incredibly refreshing.
In less than two weeks, I will be hitting the HALFWAY point of the race! It’s hard to believe! Life is so so good and I’m soaking up every second of my time here in Africa. I’m $2,000 away from being fully funded! Please prayerfully consider donating towards the Kingdom.
Also, please be praying for people who are hungry for the Word to come into our path this month. We are eager to find them!
Til next time,
Erinn
