Dear friends and supporters,
I am finally home after my 3-month Africa missions trip (well, I’m in Delaware)! The last three months have been full of growth and culture for both me and my participants!
While in South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia I was able to see three very different communities, cultures, and ministries:
In South Africa I worked with Love Story, a ministry that aims to meet people at the very point of their need. We took part in food collection and distribution in communities where it was needed most. We also served in a food kitchen daily serving many men in the inner city that are homeless and struggle with addiction. It was a beautiful thing to see myself and my girls (my team) step forward and began conversations with the forgotten, and express the heart of God to each of them with passion and boldness. While we served them food, we were also able to connect with them and hear many of their life stories and in turn speak God’s truth over them.
In Botswana I worked with Love Botswana in their baby home. This is where I left my heart…specifically with a 3 month old baby girl who’s mother choose the streets over her. I’m not sure how she ever made that choice because one look in this sweet girls face had me googling how to adopt a Botswanan baby. My team and I snuggled our precious babies, feeding them, singing to them, and praying over them. Although adoption isn’t something I can do at this very moment (and the laws are very difficult for international adoption in Botswana), I have hopes to see her precious self again one day.
My most special moments in Botswana were walking around the playground with a baby in my arms declaring God’s truth’s over them: “Your Father (in heaven) never has and never will abandoned you.” “You are seen and known by your Father (in heaven).” “You are beautifully and wonderfully made’ “you are deeply and passionately loved, and your life is rooted in Christ love and has GREAT PURPOSE!!!!”
Finally, in Zambia I worked with New Hope Waves, and we lived smack in the middle of the community, which was quite a special experience because ever moment was an opportunity for kingdom impact. Although we taught in a pre-school, worked in an elderly home, and took part in soccer ministry all month, my favorite part of our time in Zambia was walking through the community on our 30 minute – hour long walks to our sites each day because we were able to get to know the community. There was 1 woman and her beautiful baby “Favor” that was our favorite stop along the way. We became good friends over our time in Zambia and we were able to encourage her to cling onto Christ in the midst of the many hardships of her life. She believed that God sent us as a mark of the great ‘favor’ over her daughters life, and that there were many great things ahead. It was beautiful to be apart of encouraging her to press on, and God gave us many sweet moments together.
My journey was rich, and many lives were impacted for the Kingdom over my 3 months in the Africa, and I’m grateful that this is my life…that God set me apart for a special work that even I couldn’t have foreseen!
As always, thanks for your prayers, love and partnership…it literally meant the world to me!
Missionary Tera
