It’s been a little over a week since I arrived back on African soil, and man has it been great. We are partnering with an incredible organization called Impact Africa to help spread the Gospel across South Africa. Most of our days have been spent evangelizing in the informal settlements also known as squatter camps. These informal settlements are communities of lower income families who live in sheet metal houses, and often times are searching for jobs or ways to make money. When we go into the squatter camps we begin to build relationships with the people and often times join in on household chores such as hand washing clothes or scrubbing dishes. While we spend time with them we ask them questions to get to know them better and later ask them about their faith. Some are believers and we are able to encourage them, pray for them, and get them connected to a church. Others don’t know who Jesus is and we get to share the Gospel with them and tell them testimonies of God’s goodness and faithfulness in our own lives. It’s been incredible to watch God move in the hearts of these people and witness multiple accept Jesus into their hearts. Praise God for all that he is doing here in South Africa!
Stepping into leadership can be pretty scary sometimes. The enemy has tried to feed me lies telling me I’m not good enough or I don’t have the knowledge or wisdom to pour into the lives of these young women on fire for God. Every time the enemy starts to creep in, I am sweetly reminded of who I am in Christ and remember that he has me here for a reason. He reminds me that I’m never on this journey alone, and that He will speak through me. This group of girls is incredible and encourages me every single day through their words and actions. The team has shocked me with their immediate vulnerability and eagerness to grow. They speak so much life into each other, pray over each other, and never stop laughing. They are full of so much joy and radiate it wherever they go. They have boldly shared their stories and stepped outside of their comfort zone in order to make His name known. I have already seen so much growth in these girls and I am super excited to see what all the Lord does in and through them over these next few months!
PS: We definitely were not prepared for this winter they apparently have here. The days are decently warm, but our mornings and nights are spent under as many blankets and sleeping bags as we can get our hands on. Y’all pray for my toes (because I currently can’t feel them they’re so cold).
FUNDRAISING!!!
I am still $1500 away from my fundraising goal. I know that where God guides, He also provides. I have full trust in Him that this goal will be met, so that I can continue on this journey with Him. If you feel led to give you can do so through the Donate button at the top of this page, or through venmo and paypal. Thank you all for your continual support both prayerfully and financially, and for partnering with me to change lives around the world!
Venmo: @LizzyBodkin
Paypal: [email protected]
Joyfully His,
Lizzy Bodkin
