When my team headed to Botswana we didn’t have a clear idea of what God had in store for us. I love that we have a God that is in the details even when we don’t know it. We decided to head to Gaborone, Botswana when we went to get in our seats a few of us had our assigned seats and Ana and Travis had people already sitting in their seats. Instead of getting upset they just adapted and found other seats. This seems to be a common thing because the man that ended up sitting next to Travis had been moved around four times before settling in his seat. Let me tell you about that man, Chris. Travis struck up a conversation with him and learned that he was also a Christian they shared their testimonies. Chris became a part of our family, worshiped with us, ate with us and invited us to his church, Kingdom City (KC).
Chris came and took us to church, a simple act that ended up shaping all of our time in Botswana. From the moment I stepped through the front gate and I was greeted with a hug, my huggy heart was bursting. If you know anything about me it should be my love for hugs. With each new person, I was introduced to the joy and love I felt was overwhelming. Something about the atmosphere at KC just felt like home. It brings tears to my eyes now just remembering the people that I’ve left behind there. Luvie, my sister, she took me around the church to meet everyone. Without hesitation, we both knew that we had a pure sisterhood with each other. Y’all this woman has such a passion for the youth at KC and has so much love and joy for everyone she meets. Another impactful sister I made was Jacqui, she has a heart of gold. Everyone that she encounters I know walks away feeling personally seen and cared for it’s beautiful. These are just a few of the many connections that I made at KC. Let alone the connections that each of my teammates made with others. It was breathtaking watching my team actively be the body of Christ in using their giftings to impact the body of KC. To the believers at KC thank you, for seamlessly inviting us into your lives, allowing us to work, pray and minister alongside you and for becoming family. I know I will be back, so much of my heart was left with you.
From Botswana we moved to South Africa, a country still reeling from the effects of the apartheid. Years of racism that has ravaged the country. This month was different for us. Most of the race we live life unscripted, which is to say we don’t work with ministry contacts, we seek out the guiding of the Holy Spirit for who we should be ministering to that day. Instead, we worked with an organization similar to Adventures in Missions based in Jeffrey’s Bay (J-Bay), South Africa, Global Leadership Academy (GLA). GLA not only has a missions trip which they call Global Challenge Expedition, but they have a school in J-Bay as well. They had many different opportunities for us to serve; from helping in the coffee shop on campus, assisting with a fundraising project the school had and setting the foundations for a soup kitchen in the local township. We also had the joy of being a part of Father’s House a new church plant that was started in J-Bay and for a few days the original church in Port Elizabeth. The idea of missions I had before I left was these moments, being able to say I did something. Now, having seen missionaries living out missions, I’ve realized, the activities or projects that we get to partake in are tools to get to the people. Just as much as going to a coffee shop, grocery store or riding a bus across the country are tools to get to God’s people.
Leaving Africa I believe our squad grew closer, leaving also meant that we had new teams. Let me end with introducing you to the Americanos; Tanner, Cari, Ronny and myself. Tanner, I love how active you are seeking who God is. Your constant seeking out of Him and using that curiosity to drive how you invest in the people you encounter is inspiring. Cari, woman, seeing how God has designed you that when He puts someone on your heart to pour into you are obedient and not only love them but deeply pursue getting to know them. Ronny, it has been a joy to see how naturally you start a conversation with anyone! The genuine excitement it brings you is contagious. We are currently making our way through Europe excited to see how God will use us, but more on that in a later blog. Thank you for your continued prayers!
Cari, Tanner, and Ronny
