Last week concluded my three months in Europe. With the exception of a few short trips to other countries I spent about 6 weeks in Albania at 4 different locations and 5 weeks in Greece on the island of Lesvos. The ministries I was involved with in Albania ranged from helping in orphanages to construction to farm work to relational ministry. Our squad was unexpectedly rerouted to Lesvos Greece because there’s a Christian run NGO running a refugee camp that was really struggling to stay afloat because of lack of volunteers. Having a Christian NGO in charge of a refugee camp has huge possibilities to witness (under the table) and just let Christ shine through the volunteers even if we couldn’t directly witness to the refugees according to the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). Spending five weeks on the island of Lesvos, I saw countless awesome unique encounters where God was glorified and where the good news was shared. There were a lot of people (refugees and unsaved volunteers) that heard and experienced Gods love through our squad being there. I have no doubt that God called our squad to Greece for a very specific purpose, even if it’s only for one soul. It makes an eternal difference that means EVERYTHING to that individual! Europe was awesome, It really was!
We arrived in South Africa a few days ago. It’s instantly a different world! Johannesburg is a fantastic city however and feels more American than many European cities I’ve been to. I’m currently sitting in a Krispy Kream typing this blog with a KFC across the sidewalk with a Burger King within a stone’s throw. It’s extremely developed and westernized. So while it has a distinct African feel it’s also feels a lot like home in America. Everyone speaks English very well which is fantastic for someone like me! However in just a few hours the guys will hop on a bus for 14 hours to Botswana. We’ll be building a roof for a church in a tiny village. We’ll have to buy and carry our food and drinking water for the next two weeks with us to the village. Electricity is unlikely. Wifi is a certainly not an option. We will be sleeping in tents and building a roof in 100 degree African heat. This will be a change unlike anything I’ve experienced before! I’m nervously excited for this opportunity! The first three months of the world race were easy and comfortable…this is where things get “fun” and rough! I can’t wait for the stories and adventures that I will come back with though!
Pray for my squad that we’ll be useful wherever we are and that we’ll shine for Christ! Pray for safety and health because those two will be much more of a concern going forward. People on our squad have already had money magically disappear from their wallets within 24 hrs of being here! Pray for the girl’s safety on our squad as they are doing ministry by themselves for the next two weeks. Africa is wonderful but wild and untamed in many places.
Lastly, and my least favorite topic is money!! I’m so so close to being fully funded! Never in a million years did I expect to be able to raise over $14,000! I need a total of $16,267, which is only $2000 more dollars! My deadline is December 31st to be fully funded. Many of you have donated so generously and I’m so grateful for your support. Would you please convince to support me in your prayers and if you would like to donate financially it would be a huge answer to prayer! I of course know that God will provide one way or the other in the end. Any and all donations (big or small) are appreciated!
Thank you for reading and I hope to update you as soon as possible although wifi will be sparse here in Africa! I’m also trying to get better at blogging more frequently because I know you all love to hear from me 😉
