//Wednesday October 6th

(Pictures won’t load, but they are all on Facebook!) 

These past few days were meant to be filled with rest and reflection (our team debrief) in Nelspruit prior moving into the next month of ministry, but a lot of unplanned events occurred. Soooo instead of focusing on the chaos of the past few days (I will for sure look back and laugh on it) I’ve decided to write a post about all the fun stuff my team has gotten to experience this past month as a reminder of how God keeps showing me His goodness. 

 

1. The interns at Impact Africa made us feel so welcomed from the beginning. They literally were waiting for us at the entrance of the base to welcome us after we got off the airplane. After a 15hour flight and jet lag they ate dinner and had a phenomenal cake waiting for us and got us all so hyped for the ministry to come!
2. We worked with some sweet kiddos from the squatter camp: the Jubalini Kids. Every Friday we would partner with the interns and put together a Bible lesson for them. The kids would come running at us and attack us with hugs while screaming “teacher teacher.”We ALWAYS started the beginning with the song Waka Waka by Shaqueria, there is a whole dance to it that the kids (and my team) LOVE! 
3. We got to know one of the many African Malls: FourWays. It’s filled with more stores and restaurants then I’ve ever seen in one place. This is where we got all our groceries, books, feed our Starbucks addiction, and bought maybe a few too many clothes. I may be getting a larger suitcase before coming back…oops!
4. My team also spent a Saturday at an Elephant Sanctuary. All these elephants were rescued from the wild. It was one of the absolute coolest things I’ve done. We got to feed them, pet them, and go on a walk with them following behind into the forest. Incredible. 
5. My team has church hopped. Our first Sunday we went to an African church in a garage. It was amazing to see how powerful prayer can truly be when you let the Holy Spirit guide you. Every single person that day was filled with so much gratitude for the Lord. I learned first hand that day the saying “don’t let your circumstances determine your attitude.” The following Sunday we went to a more westernized church and I felt like I was back in the states. The last Sunday in South Africa we went to another African Church. This experience was beyond amazing. The people of the church were incredibly welcoming. They all came and hugged us before and after the service. I can’t describe this church as anything other then fun. Women were dancing, laughing, and just being as God created them. It was this day that I realized how much I’ve grown in this past month. I realized the way I worship and connect with God will be different then those around me but that is completely okay:) 
6. We spent our last week of ministry working with Impact Baby Rescue (IBR). Almost 5 babies a day are born and then dumped in literal trash. Women in these communities are very young moms, they don’t have the money, or Heath Insurance to support them. So IBR offers free consoling to the moms and they even have a baby house where babies can be left annonmously, receive the healthcare they need, then be placed into the adoption process. It’s amazing all that they are doing. We got to go out into the communities and educate the people. We got so much positive feedback and so many people were glad to know they have help. 
7. That same week we went to a Turkish Mosque. We had a full tour and got to learn about the Muslim beliefs. It was so interesting to hear what they believe and see such a beautiful place while trying some Turkish coffee. 
8. It was a sad goodbye when it came time to part with everyone from the Impact base. I will forever be grateful for the translators. They brought so much comfort and made everyday so much fun. They came to our base the last afternoon to say goodbye and played some games while having one last moment as a team. 
9. We finished our time in South Africa by going on a real life Safari in Kruger National Park. We got eyed up by a lion, got to see the Big 5 before 9am (Lions, Buffalo, Elephants, Rhinos, and Leopards),  and got to see so much of Gods creation. It was amazing. 
10. Our team of 8 has grown so close these past few weeks. Through The Hunger Games marathon, many rounds of banana grams, so many card games, hide in seek in the dark, late night swims, Bible study (we’re going through Acts), and worship nights! I’m so grateful for each of them and the opportunities we have had:)

I have personally been reading through the story of Joeseph in Genesis while finding encouragement in Proverbs and Psalms. Besides talking with people I’m realizing I experience God most in nature. So I was able to go on long runs at the base in Impact Africa to see all of Gods creation. I just finished reading “Where the Crawldads Sing” and just started “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”(I was unaware it takes place in Pittsburgh!!!). A girl on my team shared her podcast obsession with me and got me hooked so I’ve been listening to Crime Junkies podcast on our long bus rides.

 

Life this past month has been amazing yet challenging. I of course miss my people back home but I know I’m meant to be here even if every moment isn’t beautiful. Gods got me. 

 

Blessings, 

Brenna:)