The truth is, I can’t. I don’t get it. I definitely don’t deserve it. And yet, here I am in Johannesburg, South Africa, working with Impact Africa going into squatter camps; talking to people who live on less than a dollar a day. We’ll be out evangelizing 93% of our time here (I made up that stat but it’s probably close to true).
Truly, what a humbling experience to be here. On one side of the world my parents along with a wonderful team of church family members are working with homeless in my local community. On the other side of the world team vessel and team abundance are walking into camps with people who live in shacks and work piece jobs (basically only work for a few hours or a few days for a very small amount of rand). How cool?
Another part of Impact Africa that we’ll get to work with is Impact Baby Rescue, we won’t get to do this very often just because the ministry’s largest need for us is to be out in communities but when we do get to work with this section we’ll be going into clinics and hospitals doing presentations geared for women who are undecided on the future of their child. In Johannesburg 3 to 5 children everyday are thrown away into the trash because mothers don’t think they can care for the child, they don’t know of any other way out other than to throw the child in the trash. Another statistic that leaves me speechless is that 800 to 1000 people every single day die of HIV/AIDS leaving many children orphans or put in households where extended family members can’t take care of them which leads to a life of lots of abuse. This stat especially makes me want to punch a wall. I’ve realized that my passion for seeing a reformation in the US social services system doesn’t just end when I cross borders to another country. In fact, my passion for changing the system world wide just grows and grows. I am excited to see what the Lord does in my heart as we work with this specific organization.
So, to conclude this blog, the ultimate truth is I cannot believe I get to do this, but what I can believe is that I serve a God who places me exactly where He needs me at the perfect time. I am thankful to be here and that the Lord is allowing me to see His heart for His people everywhere and continue to grow my passions for serving and changing the lives around me.
P.S. this shot was taken at the cutest artsy-ist lil church we go to called God First City in the middle of Johannesburg. So cute. So fun. Love love love this place! God is a God of provision and He is surely providing all the things I need to continue to pour out on others. Please keep my team and team abundance in your prayers as we align our hearts and prepare our minds to go into these places. Prayers that we would remain a team that walks in unity and abounds in love!
