Sanibonani (hello) from South Africa! I’ve been given the zulu name Isiphow – meaning gift
Wow. Almost three whole weeks of calling Johannesburg my home. Some days it feels like we just unloaded our oversized backpacks in our designated bedrooms. Other days it feels like we’ve been living here for ages. It’s winter in South Africa, so the cold has been an adjustment. Especially after leaving the sweet warmth of North Carolina.
Warning: The Lord has been on the move here in these community and in our hearts. It is truly difficult to explain every emotion that has run through my body. I challenge you to think about what you’d feel if you left the comfort of home behind for a year.
We have been showered with an undeserving amount of love this month by our wonderful Impact Africa hosts. Erinn and Nano, both World Race Alumni, have shown us the ropes and have given us so much insight on what to expect this upcoming year. It’s refreshing and encouraging. To hear their stories, their struggles, their breakthroughs – inspiring.
Impact Africa has provided one very special thing for me: hope. This organization pours out into the community with so much intensity, yet so much grace. Every single staff member and volunteer has their eyes set on the bigger picture: to bring the people of this town into deeper relationship with the Father. Each program is specifically designated to an audience.
Impact Baby Rescue: In desperation, some mothers here feel they have no other option than to dump their newborns out in public spaces. They either don’t have support from the father or their families, lack the adequate recourses to support a child or just don’t wish to keep the child. This program counsels mothers who are facing these issues and are in tough situations. At both Impact Kids Schools, there is a baby safe. This is the absolute last resort but if a mother wishes to rid themselves of their child, they can place their baby into the baby safe where they will be out of harms way. The safe has a scale that when a baby is placed inside and alarm will alert the staff. After this, the process of adoption goes into effect.
Impact Kids: TEACHA, TEACHA LOOK (if you know, you know)!! My heart swells up at IK. We have the privilege of assisting in this program once a week. We start our day off with a dance; Waka Waka by Shakira is always a hit. Then our weekly bible verse is rehearsed (These last two weeks the kids have been memorizing Hebrews 13: 5-6). My class, the rhinos, are the sweetest. Ages three and four, they’re smarter than they look. They’ve tricked me a time or two. I’ve learned my lesson now and their little schemes have reduced. In an odd way, it was endearing that they chose me to pick on.
Impact Students: High school is a rough time for kids here in South Africa too! Here we get to have fellowship with the students. We teach bible, share our testimonies and just enjoy time with one another. They relate to us and open up about the struggles they’re facing.
Jubilani Kids: There are no bad days when we get to be a part of JK. We ride up in our Impact vans to the districts of Diepsloot and Zanspruit. The kids recognize our vans and immediately drop all they’re doing to chase behind us. Their pure excitement to see us and be a part of the program is beyond words. We paint faces, jive (dance), sing/dance our memory verse and give out sweeties (candy) to all who participate. It will be hard saying goodbye to all these little faces.
Community Outreach: Walking the streets of these communities with our interpreters whispering ‘coco’ at the gates of each hut. The people here are welcoming; unlike back home, they’re interested in what we’re doing and invite us into their lives. Even if its just for a little. We sit with them in conversation, wash their clothes, clean their pots and pans, play with the little ones and talk about the gospel with them. We’ve seen it all – witch doctors, salvations, etc. The African sun exhausts us, but some how the Spirit motivates us to continue daily.
The four teams here; what a blessing its been to do life with each of them.Strange to think that the people I rely on most now a days were merely strangers three months ago. We eat together, cook together, read together, nap in Enos together, cry together, pray together, laugh together. Truly a gift.In our spare time, we play intense games of spicy uno and volleyball. Movie nights have become a treasured past time as well.
Week three thoughts: I don’t want to ever do life without these people.
We have dipped our toes in each of these ministries. We’ve been exposed to so much this first month – so much more than I thought. I have accepted and invited all the emotions, thoughts and questions that have surfaced recently. Everyday it becomes more evident why the Lord has each of us here. Every single person has a designated role and purpose. It’s beautiful how perfectly orchestrated this journey is.
I am so very grateful for all the prayers, text/messages I’ve recently received. Thank you all for keeping me in your heart. Even when I’m thousands of miles away.
Month One:
What has changed: I am in the process of learning how to use my words purely for kindness What has stayed the same: I still listen to Novo Amor in the car and feel emo lololol its great
