TBT: South Africa, November 2015
This is the most emotional TBT of them all. This is the last in my year-long blog series. I was sitting in a worship time on Monday and recognizing the weight of this blog. I couldn’t help but cry. I’m blessed and I am sad.
Here we go…
South Africa:
Month: 11
Ministry: Jerusalem Ministries and Lighthouse Family Church
City: Port Elizabeth
Songs on Repeat: “Wonder” by Bethel
This month was full of emotions and ministry and hard conversations and ‘existential crises” and processing and preparation. This month was beautiful, full of life and good coffee, and the end of a journey.
{The face of an existential crisis}
At Jerusalem Ministries, we taught a basic Bible course to men in their drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. Every morning, we would walk the mile to the rehab house and teach about Jesus, grace, the Holy Spirit, and other Biblical truths. We built relationships with the men and even had the chance to take a morning trip to the beach for baptism.
At Lighthouse Family Church, we served in their youth group, Firehouse. We attended their weekly meeting and hung out with them throughout the week. I have a few favorite memories from my time with them. Our first night with the youth, they had an initiation for us. They required us to eat a hot dog with toppings from whatever was in the fridge. For example, a hot dog with chocolate sauce, hot sauce, corn flakes, and sour gummy worms. It was real and it was gross.
Another wonderful memory: one night after youth group, Brent & I got a ride from the youth pastor, Cuan. He drove us to our gate, and when we parked, we all decided it was a good idea to drive to McDonalds. So we went on a spontaneous trip at 11pm to McDonalds and ate in the car while we parked in front of the boardwalk on the beach.
While serving with Lighthouse, some of the women took under their wings and planned a picnic. It was the sweetest thing and we were encouraged to spend time with the Lord. So I went for a walk and happened upon a cute little shelter. Every surface was covered in a sawdust, a gift from the Lord for me to have fun with.
We had a Christmas themed Team Time where we watched Polar Express, drank hot cocoa, and strung Christmas lights.
I dyed my hair purple.
My friend, Kiersten, got me hooked on bran muffins.
We had the opportunity to pay $6 and go to a Game Reserve.
I got a Victory Flower from a team member after I had a really challenging conversation with someone. It was truly a victorious moment of letting go of hurt while also realizing the amount of growth I had experienced along the way.
We had a photoshoot in the water on our off-day
{My Squad}
{Table Mountain from Lion’s Head}
{Cape Town}
It’s incredible the amount of growth I was able to walk through while on the Race. God used the Race to bring about some significant changes in my life. Changes that have been and are continuing to be solidified in my everyday walk. I returned to the States the day before Thanksgiving to find that I was not the same person that left 11 months before. Every part of me felt different and I am thankful to God for it. God did a lot in me. He did things in my heart and mind that He has been continuing over the past year. I’m happy to say that I am not even the same person I was a year ago when I came back to the States.
{Awkward family photo in JFK}
The story isn’t over. Though my TBT series is ending, writing these blogs has made me realize how little I talk about my time on the Race. I have been so blessed with these experiences and am always happy to share them with you.
Thank you so much for consistently joining in on this journey with me each month. It has been a joy to share these memories, stories, and pictures with you.
I made a video of my squad in our time on the Race. It’s mostly just really goofy, but you can check it out…
