This first week in South Africa has contained several trips down memory lane back to Training Camp and Launch. They talked to us about having no expectations, and about the things we may encounter. I entered this race knowing that I really had no idea how I could even have expectations, but confident there were some lying deep inside that would be revealed throughout the race. It should be no surprise that we’ve been confronted with these within our first week. It’s easy to sit at home and dream up what will occur on the race. My imagination ran wild with potential housing situations or food we’d eat or how our team would truly interact with one another or how the people would receive us. In some ways, things are as they might have seemed based on other trips I’ve taken; but then there are other things that there would be no way to truly prepare for. In the midst of it all, however, I can look back and see how the Lord has been preparing me for this in regards to my relationship with Him. He has been teaching me to listen to His voice. He has been drawing me steadily into a confident understanding of my identity in Him. He has been challenging me to live in greater dependence on Him so that I may experience a deeper intimacy in my relationship with Him. It is there that I am finding the abundant life Jesus talked about in John 10.
Lavender Hill is home to many wonderful people, but it is also known for gang involvement. The day and night are different worlds, yet our team is learning to live in each one with the confidence that God is fully present and reigns over both. Upon our arrival in Cape Town, we thought we would be paired with at least one other team working with a sports ministry. We thought we were staying in a compound with other teams. Instead, our team is serving by ourselves and we are staying in the home of a wonderful woman and her 19 yr old daughter. This small, modest house of gray bricks with green trim on the doors and windows is a beacon of light in this community. Their doors remain open and they are well known and respected. There are 10 of us currently staying in this little 1 1/2 bedroom house, but we are so blessed by their servant hearts and desire to make us feel at home. We have had to work through releasing many expectations this first week, but I wouldn’t trade where are
While there are spirits intended for evil that run rampant in Lavender Hill, the Spirit of the Lord is here and powerful. This first week has involved meeting members of the community and beginning to pray and claim back the land for the Kingdom of God. We are speaking truth over the lands and over the people rather than allowing it to remain identified as it was in the past. In Christ, all things are made new. We have begun and will continue challenging believers in the area to repent and ask the Lord for healing in their land. We’ve also been enjoying loving on and playing with the kids on our street. Yesterday afternoon, one of our team members counted over 40 kids that were out playing with us. I thought I was worn out back home after allowing my 5 nieces/nephews to treat me like a jungle gym, but things got taken to a whole new level here. It’s a great work out! haha
Please pray with us for Lavender Hill, that the people will pursue the love of Jesus and look to Him to help transform their community and be rid of the gang activity. I believe a breakthrough is on it’s way which the enemy does not want to see. I’m privileged to be serving with our team (including our new South African brothers and sisters) and look forward to seeing God move throughout our time here!
Thanks for all your support!
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