I just wanted to write a quick little blog about life in South Africa! Lets just say…I may be on the most gorgeous beach in the world. The location is at a camp that is right around the corner and this place has mountains surrounding it. Invaded by surfers and locals because of it being cold from winter, still a sight to see and seeing the beauty of Jesus in nature! It is the most random weather I have experienced. Plenty of rainy days, hailed twice since we been here, sunshine to so cold I may have 4 layers on. Four seasons in one day was not a lie. Which brings me to the water bottle. I am freezing pretty much all the time…so for all my American friends that are in beach season, I am at the most beautiful beach in the world with a turtle neck on! 🙁 so we have no heating, you stay warm by layers and the hot water you put in your water bottle. So at night, me, Kylie, Heather, and Kirsten all fill up our water bottles and stick them in our sleeping bags! It works amazing and I have never been warmer! I carry it around to just stay warm…never would have guessed!
Surrounding all the Capetown area is a very broken society. Extreme poverty, drugs and gangsters run the streets, and many people that have lived a life that has brought complete brokenness. Our ministry is next door at Camp Joy. It is a drug and restoration center that deals with all kinds of cases such as addiction, prostitution, thieves, or convicts. Everyday I get to spend hanging out with women who have smoked their lives to land them to seeking help because they can not parent their kids or men who have led gangs, killed people, and also addicted to drugs. These stories I hear are incredible. They come to get clean and get a second chance, but camp joy plans on giving them the ultimate gift of restoration and second chance, which is Jesus. The ultimate fulfillment who can give them joy that is everlasting and infinite! When you look at a man that says I ran the gang, I did all the blood work, it would take nothing for me to go and kill someone. Then hear them say no one could have changed their life the way Jesus gave them hope, future, and ultimate second chance, God has so much grace. Whether doing gospel/Afrikan worship, dancing, hearing stories, or just chatting, they have my life forever. I have never had so much fun doing clean fun that is so focused above! In a broken society, change is slowly happening, but it starts with offering new hope and change from their streets and homes and that is The Lord.
Keep us in your prayers. They are hungry and we want to be able to give them an answer that reflects Jesus and His plan for their life.
