1st week in South Africa done 😚

       Travel here was pretty easy! We drove to Atlanta airport and spent the night on the floor for a 10:30am 15 hour flight to Ethiopia. Once we got to Ethiopia, we were there for 7 hours, then flew for another 5 hours to Johannesburg, South Africa. On Saturday night we arrived to the airport, drove about 45 minutes, and got to the Impact Africa base!! There we met the seven interns who will be here for the duration of our time. One of the girls named Maeda, I'd met a couple weeks ago. We had no idea we'd be at the same place! So crazy.

Arrived at Atlanta airport!

Sleepin on the floor

1ST PLANE TO ETHIOPIA

Little one on one with Emma Claire at the Burger King in the Ethiopian airport

Travel to Johannesburg

On our way to the base

Impact Africa van!

Getting picked up

       We all went to church the following day and had time to rest and soak up the amazing base. On Monday, we had an orientation day and got to go to the mall! THEN we started ministry. Ministry here is mainly community outreach in the squatter camps (evangelism) with the Impact Africa national staff. We also got to attend one of their school Bible programs this week and hangout with some kids during lunch time between evangelism. The kids are SO sweet here!!!

Dinnertime with my squad and the interns

Church!

1st sunrise

First day in Africa

The BIG mall

We went to a trampoline park as a squad in the mall

Mall after orientation

Lunch at the end of the week between evangelism

Lunch between evangelism

Hanging out with the kids for the first time

One of the moms we met named Valentine

Evangelism and hanging out with the kids

Ending the week with dinner at Rich and Michelle's house (the founders of Impact Africa)

       Unfortunately there were a few injuries and moments of sickness this first week. One guy on my squad named Logan cut his head on the fence while playing with the kids one day. I went with him to Urgent Care while he got 5 staples in his head. Thankfully he’s okay now and will be getting them out soon! This weekend, the whole base got hit with the stomach bug. A few people threw up a bunch, while others were just feeling sick all day. That’s on the up and up too, praying that God sustains everyone who didn’t really get to rest this weekend.

Getting Logan checked out + stapled up

       My time with Jesus has been SO sweet here. It’s absolutely beautiful at the Impact Africa base and we are so blessed with our living condition. God is everywhere. My squad began sharing our testimonies with each other, starting with me. I’m blown away by what God has done in my life since last year and with every way He’s changed my heart. I feel like I’m developing more of a friendship with Him and that’s been so great. He’s heightened my capacity a ton as a result of me just following His lead, and with that He’s removed so much striving in my heart. Everything that I was afraid of falling back into coming here, He’s really encouraged me and shown me that He has me in the palm of His hand. He’s opened my heart to not only love my squad, but to be loved by them. I’ve been able to freely be myself without the fear of the title of “squad leader” being on my forehead. I’ve been able to step into spaces as both the leader and also the friend. I’m absolutely loving this so far, and I’m SO grateful for everything God is doing in my squad and in my own heart. I love that we’re all friends.

       Coming into a new week, I’m excited to see my squad step into greater authority in Jesus, not being afraid of what the enemy will do to counteract that. We can’t be unaware of his schemes, but we cannot be afraid of him because he’s already defeated. Praise God! Intentionally asking the Lord to equip us with the Armor is heavy on my heart to go into this spiritual battle prepared. Things are MOVING even in the first week. My squad has witnessed over 20 salvations in this week alone!! It’s incredible seeing their hearts to serve the Lord and His people.

I’m blown away by God’s goodness and faithfulness. So excited for this new week.

MAEDA!