Back where I belong
Back in December of 2018, my sister and brother in-law announced that they where pregnant. It was such blessed news to receive. The entire family was so happy and thankful for the news and praised God. We all knew that it would be a difficult road ahead and that without God, it would be impossible.
I had a difficult start to the year and had to allow God to teach me to keep my focus on Him and not on things I want. To stay focused and trust in God and His will for my life. I almost didn’t get the opportunity to do a second year and God had to teach me a lesson and I am ever grateful for that lesson.
As this is my second year of Global Challenge Expeditions, I knew from the start it will be difficult and that I can’t do this on my own. I knew that it would not be the same as last year and that I shouldn’t expect that it will be the same. I told myself that this year is not the same as last year and that I should never compare them and I haven’t. I knew that I needed God in my life and I needed to allow God to take the wheel and trust in Him completely. I had to keep my focus on God and He will reveal all that He wants in my life.
And so my team and I embarked on this faith journey and so leaving my family and sister back home. I constantly prayed to God to be with my sister and the baby. Everything was going good and well for the first ten weeks of the pregnancy. After that everything went downhill. There were a lot of complications with the baby and my sister. Due to doctors being concerned for the life of the baby and my sisters life, Ruache was born on 26 weeks, weighing a mere 440grams and as big as my hand. I was halfway across the world when all of this happened. I had to learn to once again, focus on God and trust in him and pray earnestly to God to keep my family safe. It was really tough for me to not be with my family. After talking to them, my team leader as well as leadership back in South Africa, we agreed that I can go back home to my family for two weeks to be with them in this troubling time. After having multiple flights and transfers I was safely home with my family.
On the flight home I prayed and asked God to give me the strength to be able to stay positive and focused on him in this difficult time at home. To find my strength in Him and nowhere else. Without Him I won’t be able to do it.
I had to make a detour in my travel plans to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to apply for my Taiwan visa after it was denied in South Africa. The week in Malaysia was a one on one conversation with God. Him moulding and pressing me, teaching me to listen and learn.
After a lot of setbacks, a lot of pain, sad moments and spiritual battles, I was reunited with my team in Taiwan and I was welcomed back with open arms and warm hearts. I was back with my family in the nations, it felt like I was back where I belong.
Sometimes you plan things, thinking this is how things are going to work out. But the key to planning your things, is to keep God in the center of it all. This is a recurring lesson that God has been teaching me this year. From before training, to the difficult time in training and the time away from team. I have learned that when you put God in the centre of all your thoughts, plans and expectations, God will put you back where you belong.