Week Number Two. Have I really been in Africa for two weeks already? It seems like so little time, but so much at the same time. I have learned and experienced so much in such a short period, but the fact that I can say I am in Africa is still mind-boggling. Main point: Live Your Mission. Live the way you want to appear in everyday of every moment. Show God through your actions and people will notice you are different, you don't have to preach to them every second of every day. If you portray Jesus in everyday, people will ask why we are here, serving Africa.
I am currently in Vredenal, South Africa. Everyday we are working on local farms and helping in any way we can. We have pruned vineyards, dug out sweet potatoes, oiled sweet potatoes, packed sweet potatoes, fixed irrigation pipes, and so much more. Some of you may be thinking that isn't much, it isn't substantial. We haven't built a ten houses, brought 20 people to the Lord or fed the starving. Don't get me wrong... When we go and play with the children in the squatter camps, the urge to give them a piece of bread or take them home with me in my pack is overwhelming. I wish I could 'save' everyone of them. What I can tell you: I have met some of the most amazing people and they have touched me in ways I can't even express. We have built relationships that are stronger than most bonds I have ever encountered. We are here for mutual influence. To touch people's lives and have them touch us in return. We were talking today that it is hard to only plant a seed in these people's lives, that we won't always see this substantial outcome. We are constantly asking God to use us in any way that he wants, but we aren't always living it through. That it is hard to not have our own agenda and not have a list of things we want to accomplish. We are simply here for God to use us in His Kingdom. That in the end, He is using us for a much bigger plan. For me personally, that is one of the hardest parts of missions, to see so much emotion, heart, effort and love put into things and not see a vital outcome. It is also a wonderful part of mission: letting God take full control.
Another thing we have really seen and struggled with on this trip: Injustice. Experience Mission talked a lot about this during our training. That we would see injustice and wrestle with it everyday. As we go to the squatter camps (sort of like slums), we have seen it over and over. Why these people live so poorly and in such terrible conditions, they can't even afford a few pairs of clothes, but I can go back to the United States in my car to a cool air conditioned house and watch my flat screen television with cable... Why does God let this happen? If I had an answer, I would share it. But one thing I can say, is the people we have met are some of the strongest and most courageous people in the world. The children run around the squatter camps without shoes, but always with a smile. They are so joyous and full of love. I can't say that for many Americans, we wouldn't still have a smile on our face if our home was suddenly turned into a cardboard box. But everyday we see these people who have so little, but also complain little, if any.
I know I didn't talk about too much we have done here, but it was good to share where my heart is and what my struggles are. I hope that this will help you with what to pray about and it gives you a little glimpse at this wonderful and blessed continent of Africa, that is also broken. Thank you so much for your continued support and love. I will keep you updated as often as I can!
God Bless
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