Hello.
It’s me.
I’m in South Africa.
I have a lot of things I want to say about all I’ve done, been taught and experienced in the last week.
Let’s start off with World Race Semesters leader / business Han stuff—
I’m living in Heidelberg, South Africa. A small town 3 hours north of Cape Town. It’s winter time which means it’s mostly in the windy 60’s during the day and frigid 40’s at night. We’re staying in the home next door to amazing hosts- Pastor Phil and Tania. They’re wonderful people who have been hosting world race teams for years (in both South Africa and Montenegro). We LOVE them. They’re servant- hearted, people of rest and intimacy in Jesus, and love the Kingdom of God. My kind of people.
My team has been working with them painting an elementary school, cleaning the church, teaching devotional in the school, singing at church, and hanging out at the local rugby games. The first day we got there Pastor Phil told me “you all thought you were coming here to serve, but we’re here to serve you.” And I just couldn’t believe how much that sounded like Jesus to me.
And that’s exactly what it’s been. This trip is nothing like I’ve ever experienced on the mission field. We serve, yet most of the time we’re resting and just doing life with the people in the small town. Going to church with them. Eating dinner with all the church members. Etc.
My team of girls is amazing. I can’t believe how fast 6 girls can become best friends and chase the heart of God when they know they only have 1 month together on the field. It’s breathtaking and they make leading so easy. I had a moment this morning as I washed dishes where I thought “I get to be the person to these girls that I needed when I was younger”. A true privilege. They have all been wildly blown away by who Holy Spirit is. It makes me cry if I think about it for too long.
Now real life, human Han—
I am filled. I am uncomfortable. I think these 2 things together are super normal in God’s Kingdom.
I’m getting stretched a lot. I’m leading alone and it’s made me rely heavily on Holy Spirit and lean hard on my own convictions. God told me early on here, “you have nothing to prove” and that’s been my backbone this whole trip.
I really love this place and I love the people I spend my time with.
Honesty hour—
My acne is really bad these days.
I’m proud of how I’m leading.
I don’t miss home as much as I thought I would.
I’m learning to apologize quickly and not assume and how to follow up well.
I love falling asleep go the sound of the girls laughing in the kitchen.
I’m thankful to have a washing machine and a hot shower.
Time moves so slow here and I love it.
I’m having some of the best moments of my life here and I wasn’t expecting that.
