Last time I wrote a blog, I shared how hard contentment was for me, and how hard it was to simply embrace where my feet are. Now, here we are, about to leave South Africa to head to Ecuador in just a few days, and I am in disbelief. Funny how as we are actually about to leave and move onto something else, our heart wants to stay instead of moving on like it so wanted to a few weeks prior. That’s kind of how I am doing right now. It’s hitting me in waves, but it still hasn’t hit me fully that we are leaving, for good, this time. It is Thanksgiving, as I am writing this, and today is our last ministry day. Our last day we may ever see these beautiful people, and that HURTS. Our last time doing random tasks one of our ministry host, Carla needs for 3 hours in the morning, our last time hanging out with these girls who I have grown so fond of, our last time hearing Cornie lead the kids in beautiful worship, and our last time seeing their faces light up when they are learning about Jesus.
Because of it being both Thanksgiving and our last day of ministry, I wanted to write some things I have been most thankful for through our Beats and Books ministry—
- For Cornie and Prima, who moved from Zambia to South Africa to be missionaries here, who are passionate and care so intentionally about each kid at Beats and Books. For the way they pursue Jesus, and speak about Him. For the way they light up a room. For making us feel so welcome, and cared for.
- For Carla and Jonathan, who moved all the way from South America to be missionaries here in South Africa, because they love the Lord so much. For Carla’s devotion to making Beats and Books a better place. For Jonathan’s patient and peaceful spirit with the kids. For their awesome children, who are now like little brothers to each one of us World Race girls.
- For Grace, who moved from Australia to South Africa to be a missionary. A women of utter peace. She walks in gentleness and love. She is kind. It’s so funny how each Grace I’ve met is a woman living out of TRUE GRACE with others. She’s made us feel seen and loved.
- For every single girl and boy I’ve got the opportunity to meet and build relationships with at Beats and Books. They have blessed me in unimaginable ways. Once they get comfortable around you, and begin opening up, they are the best kids around. They bring joy and laughter everywhere they go. They are curious and strive to know more. They are sassy and pop off on each other in Cxosa, in the most friendly way they know how (hehe). They are all so beautiful and unique. They have dreams and passions. They love braiding our hair.
- For the worship night, the first week we started at Beats and Books. We got to worship with this community here and watch all of our kids play the violin, trumpets, piano, djembe, and hear them sing and praise Jesus. They all got their hair done, and dressed up so nice, and SHOWED OUT. It was a night of rejoicing and thankfulness. We even danced to Bombelela, which you already know is a blast and a half.
- For snack time, when the kids are first arriving, getting to give and get so many hugs from each person, hearing them run up to you, just shouting your name. Seeing them chat with their friends, and watching them have a constant smile on their face. Getting to hang out with them as friends, and it be casual and not pressured. Being silly during this free time with them, where you’d run around trying not to get tickled, or where you’d just sit there and let them play with your hair, or simply just sit there and listen.
- For homework time, when sometimes the kids wouldn’t do their work, so it gave us the opportunity to (low-key and casually, because we don’t want to get in trouble!) chat with them about whatever they wanted, and start building that relationship. For the times they did do their homework, because they were so obedient and wanted to honor the leaders, and also because we got to connect with them in a different way, teaching them how to figure out numeracy, or their homework, or spelling, and seeing them get to happy when they finally understood it.
- For worship time, when all of the beautiful voices filled the room. The peace of just closing your eyes and listening to this joyful sound around you. When you’d glance over at one of the girls and they’d have their eyes closed, worshipping, knowing they are growing in their intimacy with the Father. Seeing them bring out their instruments and playing it with so much talent, and just being so proud of who they are.
- For the time I tried teaching one of the girls the number 9 multiplication trick, and her trying to trick me and be silly with me so I would give her the answer instead. Or when she finally started understanding it, but would still try to pry the answer out of me, and 8 out 10 times I would give into it, because she was too cute not to. (Whoops.)
- For each time I got to hear more of each girl’s story, and hear where they came from. For each girl’s heart. For the beauty and the work that God is doing in their lives, in and through them. For their future which is so bright.
FOR THIS WHOLE MINISTRY. My heart beams with gladness.
That’s only 10 things, but the actual amount of the things I am so thankful for is innumerable. It’s been such a beautiful honor getting to work with Beats and Books. What a sweet opportunity it’s been to build these relationships with each kid, and staff member. It’s a lot to process right now, but I am just filled with so much thankfulness and I feel so blessed. Each one of those girls and boys has a piece of my heart, and I will cherish the memories I have with them for the rest of my life.
South Africa, you have been so good. You have now become a place I consider home.
