If I’m completely honest right now I’m struggling to write this blog. Struggling not because of a lack of words but because there are so many words and things I’d like to share and to try and narrow it down to this one last blog before we leave for Swaziland with no wifi for a month seems impossible.
From day one we were welcomed and treated like immediate family by the members of First City Baptist Church there in East London. Each week we stayed with a different family from the church. They always made sure we had everything we needed and took us everywhere we needed to go because it was too dangerous for us to walk or get a taxi. One thing I can say about South Africa is they’re extremely hospitable people; we always felt at home.
Our ministry for this month consisted of a lot of different things. One week we did a holiday club at Hope Schools, the next we were on the mission trip in Lesotho, then back to Hope School assisting the teachers and staff in any way they needed help. We dug up and moved rocks, used a machete to clear out brush, sledge hammered cement blocks, shoveled dirt, taught classes, played with the kids, tutored the kids in math, made copies for workbooks to be used in the future, and a number of other things. After Hope, we also worked with a ministry through the church called Alabastar Jars. This particular ministry works with the prostitutes who work in a park down by the beach. We made sandwiches and gave them juice as we went to the park and just talked to them and prayed for them. We invited the women to church as some attend regularly there at First City Baptist where we got to minister to them after each service and pray for them. Most of our conversations were about America and them wanting to ask questions but I knew the Holy Spirit was present and moving in their hearts just by us being there. Though they’re prostitutes they’re still mothers, daughters, sisters, and most importantly loved by the Lord. I had no words of comfort for these women and I felt my flesh getting frustrated by their conditions and circumstances but I also felt an overwhelming sense of love towards these women. I could feel the Father’s heart going out to them and loving them and showing them that he cares for them still right where they’re at.
Our last week was spent at Hope Schools again with the kids. I won’t lie, goodbyes are tough, and especially when they have to be said right when you begin to really get comfortable with the ministry, people, and country. I wish I could type up my whole journal filled with my experiences each day with the kids and people of East London. God has stretched me more than I ever thought imaginable in so many different areas of my heart and soul. Learning to live in super close community, how to receive healthy constructive criticism from my teammates, giving up all control of your schedule every day, and controlling my frustration when I’m well, frustrated, was all needed this month and are definitely still things God will be doing in my heart into this next month. There are still things I’m unsure of and that I don’t quite understand but I know God does and that as long as I wait in him I’ll renew my strength to keep going.
So, we won’t have wifi for a whole month while in Swaziland. Can I be honest with you all? It’s been extremely tough not having my phone and wanting to communicate with everyone back home whenever I get the chance to get on wifi. It’s been frustrating not having my phone but at the same time I’ve been pushed and challenged to seek the Lord in ways I may not have in the past due to the easy access to technology. It’s going to be interesting to see what God does over this next month while we are completely stripped from all wifi and communication with everyone back home. I’ve noticed that when you’re surrounded by nothing but the unfamiliar, the familiar things like family and home and friends become so much more meaningful. Even though I’m halfway across the world, I’ve never felt closer to home than now. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and my team and whole squad. Thank you to my family for understanding that no news is good news. I plan on blogging much more often this next month and then posting one blog over the whole month at the end of Swaziland when we get wifi again. I apologize for the lack of details and depth in this blog but I can’t wait to share more of what the Lord has been up to the next time I post.
Peace and blessings,
Kacy <3
