Olievenhoutbosh

It's been about a week now that we've been working in South Africa. At this point, none of us on the team have any pictures, as we're unable to take photos in the area we're working for the time being. We're working in the township of Olievenhoutbosh, at a Christian school there. In the morning, we arrive and help with classes. Another teammate, Zach, and I help teach several computer classes. After that, we go to meet with the whole team, as well as the mentors who head up the after school program. We have a Bible study, followed by lunch with the kids, and then either an assembly, or homework time. After that, we go back to the church to get picked up by our host families.

We're starting to build relationships with these kids, and I look forward to seeing where they'll be at the end of the six weeks we're here for. I've always been nervous around kids. They usually hang around everyone else, but here it's different! During the time we're waiting for lunch, the kids will swarm me, asking to be picked up, or they'll just climb on me.:) I love it at the end of the day and my whole class surrounds me and everyone hugs me! It is so amazing! I love these kids! Today, a child was hanging around the team in back of an assembly, and he sat in my lap. It was so cute!:D

I thank God for giving me the opportunity to do this and for the words I needed to say at the right times. Thank you for your prayers! I can feel God's hand on this trip.

I am Nothing

So, I'm in Africa. My first few days have been different than what I thought they'd be. My team has been learning about how Africa is, as opposed to the way we see it through our "American glasses." We've had our preconceptions challenged, both about Africa and the way we see our mission. I think about the way I've seen the Kingdom of God in the past. I have always seen it as something that we are all waiting for when this life is over. But I've learned that it's more than that. We aren't meant to just sit here and wait, saying that it'll get better when we get to heaven. While that is true that the Kingdom is in heaven, I've learned that God wants us to bring the Kingdom here on earth too. I need to strive to treat others better and make the world better. 

I've been thinking about all the "disappointments" over the past few years that upset me at the time, but led me to where I am today. I think about the relationships that didn't work out, that made me look to God for answers. I think about the jobs I didn't get that would've kept me from listening to God's will for my life, which was to get involved in missions. If these things had happened the way I wanted, I would be comfortable in a relationship and I'd have the job I'd gone to college for. I never would have looked to God. I'd be good on my own. Or so I'd think. I would never have done any searches for mission organizations, I never would have found Experience Mission, I never would have gone to Africa. Thank God for not giving me everything I want. I am forever grateful to Him. Without Him, I am nothing. None of my accomplishments mean anything without Christ. He works through me.