(Shark cage diving on January 18, 2016 in Durban, South Africa)
Hi guys!
I just wanted to give you a quick update before my squad and I head to SWAZILAND TOMORROW!!! I can’t believe we’re headed for the end zone already. The last 7 months have literally flown by, and we only have 4 months left on this journey.
This month my team and I served in Durban, South Africa. It’s a fairly large city with a lot happening. We were given the charge to seve as an Unsung Hero team. Basically that means that we had the opportunity to meet and hang out with several different ministries and organizations to see if they might be good matches for future World Race squads. The month started out a bit rocky, but the Lord showed up mightily in the 2nd half. Here’s a bit about 3 of the ministries that we met:
- We Are Durban is an organization that “exists to aid charities in the eThekwini area to reach their potential. We aim at the developmental approach instead of a ‘relief’ type approach.”
- Their vision is to help make Durban a city “without people living on the streets,… where all are employed and have a sense of purpose in their lives.”
- (http://wearedurban.com/)
- Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust is a non-profit, faith-based organization that was founded by the Methodist Church in order “to serve all those impacted by HIV and AIDS by providing unconditional love and hope in a practical, sustainable way.”
- They do this through teaching people how to manage chickens and eggs, planting and tending vegetable gardens, feeding families, offering counseling, providing medical care, teaching crafts like sewing and pottery, etc. It was absolutely amazing!
- (http://www.hillaids.org.za/)
- Sinakekele Children is a transition home “concerned with the raising of South Africa’s abandoned babies.”
- Ruth Grobler, a full-time corporate woman and mother, is the founder and heart of this organization. She and her team live, work, and play on site with up to six babies at a time to love, nurture, and teach them as they grow and are eventually placed in foster homes or adopted by awesome families.
- Kacie and I had the opportunity to play with a 20-month old little boy who smiled incessantly. We wanted to take him home with us, but he already has a family that will be coming to take him with them to Canada next month. Praise the Lord! (http://sinakekele.org.za/)
Just as I rejoice because the Lord has found a home for our little friend, I am also rejoicing in what He’s teaching me this week. For the last few days out squad has been in debrief processing the last 3 months, experiencing some team changes, and digging deeper into what He has for us. My biggest take-away from this debrief is that there are a lot of things I need to forgive myself of and that the final four months are going to be incredible because I have chosen to walk further into freedom and intimacy with Abba. You’ll hear more about the forgiveness at another time, I’m sure.
Another big deal is that I have accepted the call to serve my team as treasurer for the remainder of the race. This means that I will be in charge of managing our finances for food, lodging, transportation, supplies, etc. Yikes! I was a bit hesitant about it when the Lord started talking to me about it a few weeks ago, but now I’m very excited to serve my team, the Kingdom, and God in this way. Please pray along with me that I adjust well to the new role and that I don’t get caught up in the task and forget the people I’m supposed to be loving.
As I said in the beginning, we are leaving South Africa for Swaziland tomorrow. We expect to be in pretty rural areas, so much like Botswana I probably will not have access to internet. That being said, I love you all and I am praying for you more and more. I can’t wait to tell you all about how the Lord moves in and through us next month!
“When we don’t realize who we are in Christ our faith will be crippled. If you don’t feel worthy to exercise your authority in Christ then you won’t be doing it in the fullness of faith and you will lack.”
Flying Home: The World Race has booked a flight for us to land in Miami, FL on Friday, May 20th. I am responsible for getting home from there. If you would like to make a donation to help cover the cost of a flight to Nashville and any other immediate expenditures I may have, please click this link: paypal.me/ShondaF . Thanks in advance!
