Well the time has come! Today, I leave for South Africa!! We will fly into Johannesburg, and then take a 12 hour bus ride down to Cape Town! While there, we will be working with children and young people through a ministry called Kingdom Sports.
Before I go, I wanted to give you all a list of the countries, some general information about the country, and their spiritual needs.
1.) South Africa: one of the wealthiest countries in Africa but majority of people living outside the cities are impoverished. High rates of HIV/AIDS. Main language is Afrikaans but English is also pretty common, which will make it easier to talk with them about Jesus!
2.) Swaziland: this is a small nation with a large HIV/Aids problem. Over half of the adults are in their 20’s, so it’s a young country, population-wise. Orphans are abundant and in need of attention and care. Well be involved with education, child care and feeding the hungry both physically and spiritually.
3.) India: country is home to1/6th of the worlds population. It has many diverse beliefs, mostly Hindu, Islam& folk religions. Struggles with poverty & human trafficking, forced prostitution & religious persecution. We’ll likely work with local churches to encourage believers, hear their testimonies, and reach out to the “least of these” that society deems “untouchable” (the caste system)
4.) Nepal: is a Hindu nation, as its their national religion. They only have partial religious freedom. We’ll likely be serving widows and orphans and reaching out to the locals
5.) Thailand: 95% Buddhist, 4.6% Muslim and less than 1% Christian. Nearly 2 mil. people forced into prostitution per year. Human sec trafficking is the main issue here. HIV/aids is also an epidemic. We’ll serve & share with prostitutes & orphans here, just like Jesus did.
6.) Cambodia: 96% Buddhist. Has similar problems as Thailand. Also has spent the last 25 years in war, genocide, & political turmoil, and it’s a nation trying to recover. Well be bringing hope and light to a people in need of renewal.
7.) Vietnam: distraught from war & much rural poverty, this is a country still under communist rule. They have partial religious freedom with the majority being Buddhist & harsh persecution of Christians. We’ll be a light in dark places to oppressed people of all ages.
8.) Turkey: 99% Muslim. Potential outreach is enormous. God is working in these peoples lives, loves them, and wants them to come to know Jesus too!!
9.) Albania: in this formerly communist country, no religion was allowed until 1990. They now have religious freedom but 70% is Muslim. We need warriors to fight the growing Islamic influence in this nation.
10.) Romania: we’ll be working with the gypsies here!! They are a group of people disposed and neglected by their country. Soumds just like the people Jesus would minister to! Teaching English, leading youth, and more.
11.) Ireland: Protestant & Catholic fighting/violence in northern Ireland for the last 30 years has caused much religious tension. Half of the population is under 30. Young people are leaving the church and the spiritual need is demonstrated by a dramatic rise in suicides, unwed mothers, and divorce rate.
So that is our itinerary as far as we know. Please pray for these places and the people God has for us to work with there. Its my last day in the U.S. and I am currently sitting in a terminal waiting to board the plane. I am filled with excitement for this journey and can’t wait to see the person God molds me into.
Love you all. Stay tuned 🙂
