I AM MOVING TO CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA!!!!!
Can you believe it?!?! My friends Julie (who was on my world race squad) and Tony (Julie’s husband) started a ministry in Cape Town called Yebo Life. The vision of Yebo Life is to empower people to impact their communities and the children within. They believe in the radical movement of God and in Kingdom culture revival.
Yebo Life hosts community-based gatherings and retreats for young people. I’ve personally taken their e-course version of their retreat and loved it! They have worked hard to develop amazing material for young adults to live up to their namesake- who God created them to be. They also serve as a support ministry to many local ministries in Cape Town.
They’ve invited me to join their team and I said YEBO! (Which means “yes” in a lot of African tribal languages). I’m saying yes to so much more than being a part of an amazing, growing, beautiful ministry. I’m saying yes to what God has for me! I’m saying yes to using my passions and calling to meet the needs of people in Africa.
I fell in love with Africa in 2013. I’ve wanted so badly to be back there someday. I knew I wanted to be in Africa long-term eventually, but I wanted the timing to be right. I wanted it to be when God said to go.
When I was praying about this opportunity, I was becoming frustrated when I didn’t hear God say “yes” or “no.” I wanted an answer, so that I could be sure that I was moving in the right direction- His direction. Then, He asked me “what do you want to do?” I panicked. This was a big fear of mine, that God would want me to choose what the next step in my journey with Him was. I wanted Him to spell it out for me, and I’d choose to be obedient. That seemed so much simpler. What did I want? I answered Him, “well, I want to do this, God.” And then He simply replied, “You said you wanted Africa, didn’t you?”
Oh man! That one hit home. I said that! A lot of times actually. Why hadn’t I made the connection? I’ve wanted to go to Africa whenever God presented the time. How could I not see that He made this possible? For me to be in AFRICA! And since that night in prayer, when I cried and smiled “yes God, yes, I want Africa,” God’s been opening doors for such a time as this.
Guatemala has been the most amazing preparation and training for this opportunity. I’m so thankful for the past 5 months and the 2 months I still have here. I have developed an art therapy program that I will take with me to bring hope and healing to broken children in Africa. I have discovered my life calling and know where God is leading me. I have learned what it looks like to be a long-term missionary! I honestly didn’t see myself being one, and here I am; going to Africa long term as a missionary! It’s been such a blessing to serve alongside the long-term missionaries here in Guatemala and learn from them. They pour out so much here, and truly have a deep love for the country of Guatemala. The same kind of love I have for the countries in Southern Africa.
After the race, people often asked which country was my favorite. I always gave a 3-part answer. My favorite ministry was in Cambodia, my favorite overall month was Mozambique, and my favorite place was South Africa.
I loved everything about Cape Town!!! The people, the beautiful city, the guava farm I lived on, the friends we made, the fun we had, and the ministry we were a part of. I always said I’d love to go there again, and even could see myself living there. And now- I will be!!!! So wild.
Here are some photos from my time in Cape Town in June 2013:
My heart is overflowing with excitement as I make this move at the end of January 2016. I will be the Creative Arts Coordinator for Yebo Life and working with their children’s ministry partners. I’m making a year commitment to be with Yebo Life, but it could be so much longer.
I have no return date in mind. This is real life, I’m going to get a one-way ticket to Africa and stay until God tells me to move. It could be a year or it could be the rest of my life!!!!
I will be posting blogs soon with more details of what my life will look like serving with Yebo Life, and how you can support me if you feel led to do so (you can also message me for this information. I will no longer be raising support through Adventures in Missions on this blog!! You can donate through World Outreach Ministries, click the link and select my name. All donations are tax deductible. I will be posting more about support raising soon 🙂 )
I am so excited to enter this next African season of my life! Thank you so much for continuing to follow my journey as I go to new places. I’m so thankful for you! Thank you for reading this blog!
Lovelovelove,
Mel 🙂
