The 7 weeks of training have come to a HECTIC end with a huge amount of excitement, anticipation and expectation. It seems such a long time ago that I arrived in Jeffreys bay, rather nervous being across the other side of the world and not really knowing what to expect. There was nothing to be concerned about though, with the global challenge family being incredibly welcoming. A huge amount has been packed into this time and I really dont know how to describe it all let alone explain how it has impacted my life. So I am going to try sum it up with a few firsts time experiences and major highlights.
Plenty of firsts involving the eating and preparing of various South African foods: biltong, poiki, bread on a stick over a fire etc
Sitting down with the southbound team and hearing teh incredible stories of how God has worked mightily in their lives.
Heading out to the bush, creating shelter and living there for 3 days, challenging other teams for food.
Collecting donations from people in the middle of a massive intersection (even standing in a 6 lane intersection) and through that see God provide so faithfully.
Worshipping God with people from across the world and different cultures. How massive is our God!
Living in beautiful surroundings while practically serving a community through building a fence, patching holes in a roof and concreting walls and floors.
Travelling, well actually hitch hiking, 600km in a day as we raced back to Jeffreys Bay and through that experiencing Gods faithfulness and His perfect plan.
Helping look after kids in a after school program and being completely inudated with hugs. I was challenged by the circumstances the kids are in but also how much God loves these kids and that by caring for them we are welcoming Jesus.
As well as many more training sessions, being challenged in how I see God, learning to go deeper in Gods word and really trusting God as He prepared us fully in this last week. To be obedient with what He has given me and continually ask and seek more of Jesus in my life.My life has been changed continually in this time and I am trusting God to do the same throughout this year.
It has been a time of learning and preparing, with the excitement of what is planned for this year becoming more and more real. Being sent out on friday, with our
jackets, annoited and ready to hit the nations was an awesome experience. I am so excited to have left the now familiar South Africa, to experience all that God has for our Southbound team this year. This is the team below, showing one of the many fun/crazy times that have allready been and will surely continue as we head to the world.
Thank you for your support and keep following this blog and all the other global challengers! Please be praying that each of the teams will travel safely and for many opportunities for us to share our faith with people we come in contact with.