Hello to my lovely family & friends! It’s been awhile since I’ve had the time to actually sit down and write out my thoughts. I am so thankful I can update you now on my past month in Zimbabwe and what I am now doing in Lesotho.
First update I would like to inform you of is that I have been asked to take a logistic coordinating position for my squad. What this means is I am in charge of finding transportation and housing as my group of 42 moves from one country to the next. I started operating in this position at the beginning of Zimbabwe and have really enjoyed the work so far. To many it may sound like extra stress but so far I have had a great time working and knowing I can serve my squad in this way.
As far as my month in Zimbabwe goes it was one of the hardest months I have encountered so far. I was tired often because there were days we would be ministering for 14 hours straight. I really struggled with being a different skin color there as well. We were often called to in the streets and many beggars asked for money thinking that simply because we were white we were rich. I would however like to share with you several highlights that took place through the month. I genuinely enjoyed having the chance to teach God’s word. I was able to teach a leadership workshop and in a different session I taught on understanding Jesus’ parables. I love how God has given me the knowledge to pass on to people in Africa about His word and how to apply it to their daily lives.
These are a few of the photos from our time in Zimbabwe:
This picture was taken after we had a children’s Sunday school class. We did a David and Goliath skit for them and taught the children many songs about Jesus.
This little girl’s name is Titi. She is a gem. We had the chance to hang out together and even though we may not speak the same language it was a blast getting to love her.
These are two of the girls we had the chance to meet in the youth group at Marondera.
These are some very good friends of ours who enjoyed teaching how to cook African food in the evening. This is Lewis, Patience, Baraba, and Gelly.
Gelly also taught us how to pluck a chicken for dinner.
Another great thing that happened in Zimbabwe is we were given the chance to travel up to Victoria Falls and experience one of God’s stunning creations in this country.
This is a photo taken of me when I went to the top of the falls (don’t worry there was a guide with us) and got to swim at the top of the waterfall.
This is a picture of team Overflow! I am really loving each one of these people more and more every day. It’s hard starting with a new team but they are all awesome.
At the end of the month we had a chance to stay at a small Christian school our team found in Zimbabwe. This is a photo of us with Hazel who is one of the teachers at the school. She is currently studying for her masters and hopes to do charity work in the future when she graduates.
Now it all brings us to Lesotho, the tiny country surrounded completely by South Africa. I’m very excited about the work God is doing with our team this month. Unlike other months, in Lesotho we actually are not connecting with only one ministry host. Instead, we are looking for ministries to partner with that future Workd Race teams could come and be a part of. I liked the way one of the ladies put it when we visited her church: we’re laying the foundation.
So far we have made an appointment to visit a university where they do a Campus Crusade, we’ve met with the adminstrator of an orphanage, and we have another appointment to visit a different orphanage tomorrow. Each visit has really encouraged me as we get to meet different Christians almost every day and hear the story of how they are serving the Lord.
Well everyone, that’s all of the stuff I have for you at the time.
As you pray for me please remember to pray for:
-Strength. We have now hit the middle of the Race and it is tiring. I love what I’m doing but after 5 ½ months it can feel exhausting. Please pray that I will receive and rely on God’s strength.
-Focus. Please pray that I live in the moments God is giving me and not concerned about the future. It is easy for me to question a month like this and wonder what will come of it but I truly believe God is in what we are doing and I want to live in the day He is giving me.
-Desire. Pray that I keep desiring more of Jesus as I am doing missions. I know that nothing satisfies me like Jesus does but it can be easy to get caught up in all that needs to be done. Please pray that I will prioritize the time I spend with Jesus and just completely desire His presence every day.
I love you all so very much! Thank you for supporting me with prayers and messages! You guys are the best!!
