Part 1: Ithimba
South Africa welcomed us with open arms. After being in a country that was spiritually heavy and surrounded by unfamiliarity, South Africa received us with peace and rest. All 40 of us lived on the Global Challenge campus which exists as a mission base, primary school and a high school. The home we were staying in was a place of gathering. Each meal was cooked and served there, and worship and prayer filled the space. This log cabin looked over a field and plains scattered with windmills. On one side, in the distance, you could see mountains and on the other the ocean. The most beautiful aspect of this place was the people. They became like family as we shared our lives with one another.
My ministry started at a preschool named Ithimba. Working with children was one of the biggest culture shocks I have experienced. The children in Cambodia were respectful, shy, timid, quiet, and slow to physical touch. On the other hand, the kids I worked with in South Africa were loud, expressive, filled with music and dance, not scared to touch anyone, anywhere. The language barriers once again stopped us from verbally interacting with the kids but that didn’t hinder our time with them. Our job was to love the kiddoes which was easily done. I didn’t realize how much I missed physical touch until I sat with one of the kids to comfort him. He fell asleep in my lap and I felt the comfort of the Lord the way I was trying to comfort the boy.
We were only allowed to serve there for two weeks before moving on to our next ministry. It was so difficult to know how to make the most of the time there and be intentional with the ministry. After a brief chat with a friend, the Lord encouraged me to spend the last few days at Ithimba in prayer. His presence and blessing are ultimately the best thing for the school. These children are beautifully unique and understood by their Father. My role was to encourage and pray for the teachers. Both of them deserve to know and experience His love through our actions.
After a huge farewell, we stepped into the next chapter of growth.
Part 2: Serve Team
For the last two weeks in Jeffreys Bay, we spent our time on serve team (also known as housewife training haha). Our job was to cook, clean, host and upkeep the mission house. We were there to love and serve each other. This was such a special opportunity to be intentional with the people I lived with. I began to experience the importance of community in a way I never had before. My time in J-Bay felt like living life in a family of 50, spending time in prayer and encouragement with each other. Part of my role during these two weeks was working at the next-door coffee shop at the school. I had the privilege to spend my days with some of the most beautiful people Beauty, Zoey, Wendy and others. It was a honor to jump into their established ministry and spend life laughing and sharing the Lord’s love with one another. One of the impactful lessons I learned during this time was how to discover ministry in the mundane. The everyday responsibilities became an opportunity to hear the Lord’s voice and grow in obedience, to discover joy in the normalcy of life.
Rest was something I could easily access during this time. I learned to practice discipline, spending time in the word and in prayer. I found peace in His presence. South Africa was a canvas to build these patterns in my life!
