I can not believe it is already August. I can not believe I am already in Thailand. Three months in Africa have absolutely flown by.
South Africa and our ministry there blew me away. When I was there someone asked me if I would ever come back to South Africa. I thought about it for a second and I could honestly say yes and that I would really like to. The only downside to South Africa is their super expensive internet and their lack of central heating.
This past month we worked with BEAM Africa. They are located in a township called Nellmapius. Nellmapius is one of the worst townships in all of Pretoria- the poverty and crime is really bad there. A lot of organizations have tried to help the area, but end up giving up and leaving. BEAM Africa is different. Despite all the hardships that they face, they know God wants them there and will not give up on the people. It was inspiring to partner with them this month and see how they constantly look to God despite all the bumps in the road.
Every month I struggle with having to say goodbye for probably for forever to people and having to start all over again. I never feel like I have anything left in my heart to give. I never want to give more of my heart away, but then I meet kids like the kids that attend BEAM Africa and before I know it, my heart has been given to them. No matter how much I try to fight it, I can’t.
The more time that passes, I realize that I must have the maturity level of a 10 year old boy or something because I just bond so well with them. Two BEAM kids became my chummies (South African term for besties): Noah and Itumeleng. I know you shouldn’t pick favorites but I couldn’t help it. I found Itu one day sitting by himself because he didn’t have any friends because he was new to BEAM Africa and didn’t know anyone there. I tried helping him find friends, but in the process we became friends… he was just so darn cool. Noah came into our circle a few days later. I don’t think anything brought me more joy this month than seeing them come into the compound and getting to spend the afternoon with them.
Saying goodbye to my chummies was hard. I didn’t want to. And here I sit not wanting to give my heart away yet again but I think it’s already been given to the Thai girls that live here at Remember Nhu… The 70 girls that have been saved/prevented from entering the sex trafficking industry.
—I also got to use my college degree for the first time since graduating.. I made an Access database for BEAM Africa 😉
