OKAY Blog

Well we are almost to the end of our journey. Leaving the kids was as hard as expected, if not harder. We left with tears streaming down our faces and theirs. We can't wait to get home and send all of our new friends emails and letters. We promised them we would write.

Trekking back to Bulwer was a typical African adventure. Our driver was on Africa time (2 hours late) and there was a crazy thunder and lightning storm as we were leaving Matatiele. Half way through the drive, the team became desperate to keep our driver awake, so Ryan started singing our new favorite song, "Jesus Loves You" in Xhosa. God had more in mind than keeping Sibo (our driver) awake though, Ryan was able to share the Gospel with him. We left him with an extra bible that Katie had with her and covered him in prayer. Sibo didn't feel ready to accept the Gospel because of past suffering in his life and questions he had about God allowing that. Our prayer, and we would love for you to join us in praying, is for his heart to be softened and Christ to be able to enter in.

We arrived safely back to Ashtonvale Guest Farm, our living place in Bulwer. On Sunday we were moved into one house together instead of the three separate rooms we had before. It's been great to have the team together and we actually have a shower! Only one tap can receive hot water at a time, so a hot shower is rare - but we are surviving just fine!

This week has been full of different ministry opportunities. On Monday the group went together to Creighton and did some cleaning up, refurbishing and painting at an old abandoned preschool. HNO would like to be able to use the preschool again, however it was at risk for being torn down and made into a Bed and Breakfast. The officials making the decision will be reviewing the preschool soon and hopefully with the improvements made on the property and playground, HNO will be able to use it for a preschool and disability therapy center! At this center we also got the opportunity to meet preschool teachers from the area and pass out toys and supplies that had been donated. To us it didn't seem like much, but the teachers were overjoyed and grinning from ear to ear. They sang for us and we sang for them. It was a great time of love and fellowship.

On Tuesday half of the team spent the day in Pietermaritzberg visiting a clinic and a drop-in center. At the clinic the Gospel was shared and we were able to just love on the people there. The drop-in center was a new development for girls who have been raped, orphaned, or abused. We got to pray over the girls and the center there. We will continue to pray, as the facility could definitely be improved! The other half of the team began with the hut ministry that day. Hut ministry involves traveling to different huts in the area and caring for the sick there. We also usually get the opportunity to pray for the people and their families. It is amazing how much God's love shines through in just the fact that Americans would come so far to visit them. The Zulu people are truly amazed. They also love to ask about Obama, and the girls are often given marriage proposals. Don't worry moms and dads, we girls are all still single!

Wednesday we had the opportunity to work in the huts, as well as spend some time at HNO loving on the preschoolers and kids in the disability therapy center. It was a full day of ministry.

On Thursday the entire team headed to Pietermaritzberg so that we could take part in some prison ministry. What an incredible experience! We were able to tour the prison and then spend some time with two different groups of young men. The first was a rather large group and each one was awaiting a trial. Many were able to share and each person had a different impact. The Gospel was definitely presented and seemed to be well received. Our prayer is that what was said will continue to penetrate their hearts. Another prayer is that when Andy (the man who runs the prison ministry for HNO) returns on Thursday, many will come back to hear more about the Lord and how he can change their lives. Just as in the huts, the fact that Americans will come see them is a huge deal and they are surprised that we would go out of our way to visit prisoners. Our hope is that God's love will shine through that!

Friday we had the opportunity to work at HNO and in the huts again, which is always such a great experience. We have really enjoyed partnering with them in ministry and we pray that our being here has encouraged Chris, Lyndell and the rest of the staff here at HNO!

Well we head back to the states in just a few days. The team has truly loved our time in South Africa and we pray that God really expands the impact we had here. We serve a mighty God and have been so blessed to be used as his vessels!

See you soon!

Cheers,
Team South Africa