As we round off our time here in South Africa I can’t help but reflect on how special this time has been. The Father has been so gracious to us in these first three months and I will forever look back on this time with such immense gratitude. I think the best way I can capture my time here is by sharing some glimpses of what he has taught me and what he has brought me, so I’m calling this one lessons and blessons (I promise I know how to spell blessings, just thought this looked cooler ;))
Lessons
– I can walk in joy even when I don’t feel it. True unfathomable joy lives deeply in me, it is not a joy found in events, or seasons, or things, but a joy rooted in my Father, the great sustainer of my soul. (John 16:22)
– I get the PRIVILEGE of loving people that are hard for me to love. Jesus didn’t just love people when it was easy and convenient, in fact he chased after people who were hard to love and considered it joy to do so. (Luke 6:27-30)
– The same Jesus that walked this earth lives in me and because of that I have the capability to walk in ALL the fruits of the spirit, not just the ones that come “naturally” to me. (Galatians 5:25)
– He is a God of reconciliation!!! and He craves so deeply for us to be a unified body of brothers and sisters! (2 Corinthians 5:16-21)
-He doesn’t need me but He WANTS me and he wants to use me for His good. He is calling me to walk in the gifts He’s given me (not shy away from them) and even when I don’t know my worth, He does. (Ephesians 3:20)
– He wants me to be silly with Him, to sit and laugh with Him, to dance with Him, to talk to Him like a friend. He wants all of me, all the time. (Mark 12:30)
– There is abundant beauty and growth in things that are hard. (Psalm 23:4)
Blessons
– A SWEEEET new chapter of relationship with my mom, my friend, an awesome dad who answers the phone even when I accidentally call him at 5am, a brother who keeps me laughing and asks intentional questions, grandparents, aunts, uncles, family that isn’t actually family but feels just the same, that are patient with me and pray for me daily. And for incredible opportunities to minister to and be in relation with people at home, even from thousands of miles away
– 6 totally rad teammates that I get to walk hand and hand, share a room with, laugh with, cry with, and even scream with, each of whom have each shown me something new and exciting about the Father.
– The best best best host: Wendy- full of strength and gentleness, a bomb cook, and a mother away from the comfort of my own, Anita- a freaking servant of the Lord if I’ve ever met one, the absolute kindest and full of so so much wisdom, Mulder and Nicky- quite the dynamic brother duo, always able to put a smile on my face, never say no to a dance party and share their red velvet cake on hard days, and Lehanie- the most intentional human being I’ve ever met, beauty that radiates from her bones and a sweet sweet reminder of my friends at home. And for the people of Jeffrey’s Bay and GLA who took us into their community like their own, welcoming us with open arms and making us feel so loved
– Aunty Carla, Uncle Jonathon, Prima, Uncle Cornie, and Gracie, our incredible team of ministry host who took the time to pour into us so so well and were so gracious towards us and for 29 new and incredibly special brothers and sisters through beats and books
So that’s South Africa. Feels like it can and went with a single blow of the wind and somehow at the same time feels like we’ve been here for forever. I am so excited and so expectant of our new season in Ecuador, it’s gonna be a good one, I just know it. Thank you Father for this life, for this country you’ve let me walk in and the one you’re sending me to, what a JOY it is to walk with Him!
