Hi friends!
It feels like it’s been SUCH a long time since I’ve written a blog and I’m sorry! Truth be told, these past few weeks have been busy and I often felt like I was losing a lot of my steam, making it hard to find any motivation for writing. I’ve learned A LOT in these past few weeks though, and I hope to catch you all up a little at a time. But for now – here are a couple very short and basic recaps of my ministries in South Africa & Lesotho!
After we left Albania my team and I went to Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa, one of the best surf capitals in the world. We stayed with a long time partner of AIM – Global Leadership Academy (GLA) and worked with a ministry of theirs called Beats & Books. Beats & Books was more or less an after school program for students of all ages throughout the community. But what’s cool is that not only did students come for extra academic guidance, they also were able to engage in some sort of musical activity such as piano, violin, percussion, etc. It was so neat to watch the kids work on school but also use music as an outlet to connect and have fun with one another. In the mornings we often helped with administrative tasks around the base and in the afternoons we got to know the students and help in whatever way we could! In the meantime my team and I were busy with all sorts of adventures in Jeffrey’s Bay. My friend Cait convinced me to skydive with her, we went sandboarding, a few of my teammates went bungee jumping and we were able to spend time on the beach as well. Looking back, I feel as if my time spent in JBay was marked by learning what it looks like to walk in endurance.
After spending about 3 weeks in Jeffrey’s Bay we travelled to Lesotho to work with an organization called Africa 4 Jesus. This was in a much more rural setting and turned out to be one of the best ways to end the race. We were paired up with another team as well, which was sweet to have other friends in our space for a little bit as well. We did quite a few house visits within the villages, preschool ministry, and even ventured up to a book fair in another village. Our hosts were absolutely incredible and had a heart for unreached villages/people. We learned that they have a plan to reach 50 unreached villages in the next years which is insane. We had a lot of fun just hanging out, looking at the stars, hiking a bit, and taking it really easy in Lesotho. My time there felt marked by the Lord reminding me of everything that Him and I have walked through this year. I felt as if He was saturating my heart with the lessons I’ve learned and some of the freedoms I’ve stepped into. It was a sweet time that left me feeling even more prepared and ready to transition back home.
As for now, I’m tired and I’m ready to be home but I’m also just so thankful. As we spend this week reflecting and spending time with each other I can’t help but sit in a heart posture of gratitude for the people that have walked this journey with me. From everyone at home, to my teammates & best friends that have experienced this with me, I couldn’t have done this without you all. And of course the Lord and the way He has met me this year. I can’t wait to sit down and write more about that, but for now we have 2 more days of debrief and then we’re off. Prayers that we would be able to appreciate these last 2 days to the fullest would be appreciated and prayers for safety as we travel home as well. I can’t believe we did it. See ya soon, home.
Much much much love,
Heather
???????? #WR can’t wait to see you again Heather Ann