This LAST/11th month our team is in Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa. It's incredible because our team used to somewhat joke about how we needed to pray for "beach ministry." We thought it would never happen and it's also been James' dream to surf Jeffrey's Bay. With last minute plan changes to South Africa our team has been blessed to be here for an entire month right on the beach! I can't even explain the excitement it gives me! I feel so at home here. A small beach town with some of the best surfing in the world.
Our teams living here are partnered with an organization called Leadership Experience (LXP) where they have young adults from all over the world come to be raised up as servant leaders. This month we are helping them in the community with construction, teaching teenage pregnant girls about purity, giving food to the homeless, and playing local sports. We are so excited to serve in each of these areas. This month is incredible being able to do a little bit of a variety wherever we feel the Lord wants us to give a helping hand.
It's been amazing because last month God really taught me a lot about His PEACE, resting in Him, and being a Child of His. It was incredible. A great time of rest. This month I am completely rejuvenated and pumped to be out meeting people everywhere I go! At our orientation for this month a man asked us to really sit with the Lord and ask God, "Why am I here?" He told us to put ministry aside, to put our past months aside, to put the thoughts of home aside and figure out why I am here in Jeffery's Bay, South Africa now? While continuing to press into this I keep getting the word "Divine Appointments". We have been here for only a few days and I can say that everywhere I go I meet amazing people and I have already built relationships that I feel were not coincidence but relationships that I will continue to seek over this month.
I got a membership at the local gym right on the beach and have become "buddies" with the manager and may be teaching some classes or helping out. Back home the gym and fitness is part of my ministry so I am praying for relationships from there. A friend of mine, Sarah, from one of the other teams and I walked to a nice salon where I introduced myself, told them I was a hairdresser back in the states and wanted to check it out here in South Africa. I stood with the owner chatting about hairdressing for a while and asked if she wouldn't mind selling me some of her professional color to take home with me? Surprisingly she said "yes!" I was even given a bowl and they let me borrow their tint brush! Who does that?? I went back to give it to them today. See, already becoming friends with these ladies! I got a phone number of one of the stylists and receptionist to hang out on Wednesday. Can't wait!
Yesterday morning I met 3 guys running on the beach while I was exercising. At church I noticed some white boys walking in (since we were at a predominately black church) and knew they looked familiar only to realize they were the same guys I met on the beach earlier this morning. All of these (and many more) instances have been confirmations to what God has been telling me about "Divine Appointments."
Please be praying for this next month. I am incredibly excited to make new friends, serve, learn, grow, love people, and I already feel at home. I want to give this LAST month on the race MY ALL. I want to be led to wherever God wants me to go, I want to get to know people and build great friendships, I want to hear life stories and for people to see and know Jesus.
Bring me to the Perfect Place at the Perfect time.
Oh, I am ready to live it up!
This month is very relational and I already feel God wanting me to take some of these people out for a coffee to get to know them, to get them on their feet in their businesses to those who are struggling, to share the Love of Jesus with them. This is going to be a costly month because I would love to bless them with a coffee or tea. If any of you feel like you would like to support financially. It could be $5, $20 or however you feel like you would like to give to these wonderful people. I thank you for the way God is using you even across the globe! Contact me if you feel this is something you feel you can support =) Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
