Lessons from across the pond (posted by Jenn)

(I wrote this post for our most recent update letter regarding our first 3 months in South Africa.  If you would like to be added to our email list to get our updates, let me know.)  

When asked if I would write about a few of the moments that specifically touched me through these past 3 months, I had to pause.  That's a difficult question... so many people, so many events, so many things have touched my heart while living in South Africa.  I have made what I know will be life-long friendships.  I've seen things that I never imagined seeing in my lifetime.  I've been a part of something much bigger than myself.  I've been blessed.

I left America with no idea of what this next adventure would be like.  I had never been to South Africa - only seen pictures.  I felt very much like Abraham must have felt... packing up and heading to a country that he didn't know.  But, as did with Abraham, my faith grew tremendously during this time.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the ministry that is happening in South Africa.  I'm so thankful that I've been able to experience all that I have so far.  I'm thankful to be a changed person.

I'm blessed to have been able to meet a sweet little girl at the Children's Home in our area.  I felt drawn to her the first time I saw her.  We played, hand in hand, the whole time I was there, even though she didn't speak a word of English.  She changed me.  She has a piece of my heart.  I learned that she is very sick and that breaks my heart.  I'm looking forward to the visit where I can see her again and whisper to her, once again, while sitting on the swing, that "Jesus loves you and so do I.  Very much."

 I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity to be able to teach at the country school down the tar road from us.  I was quite nervous the first time I stepped in the school, but now I dislike leaving those sweet children.  I love teaching them the love of Christ right along with a dose of English.  They are beautiful.  They are so loved.  Every.  Single.  One.  Of.  Them.  In all actuality, they are teaching me MUCH more than I could ever teach them.  They have melted my heart with sweet conversations, hugs, contagious smiles, and letters calling me "mom."  I'm much more than a teacher to them... I'm Jesus.  And I am privileged to spend every second I can with them. 

I'm honored to be around the beautiful children at Lighthouse Christian Church multiple days each week.  I love the hugs, the high-fives, cool handshakes and finger snaps that I get every time we are there.  I love seeing the children run to our truck as we pull into the church.  I love hearing them yell for us as we leave.  I love holding the little ones when they can't sit through church.  I love picking up the ones who have fallen down and scraped a knee.  I love praying with the older kids who are feeling hurt or discouraged.  I love talking with them - learning about their lives.  I love watching my children love on them - and vice versa.  I love them.  All of them.  Every single precious child who walks through the gate.  They are part of my family.  We are all a part of God's family.  

Over the past couple of months, I've grown especially close to a small group of girls ages 13-14.  I'm digging into their lives, praying with them, loving on them, teaching them about God's unconditional love... But, like I said before, they are teaching me much more.  They've become "my girls."  I'm so thankful that they trust me enough to pour out their lives to me, and in turn I have the great privilege of sharing love, life and truth with them.  The letters they have written to me will be something that I cherish forever.  Leaving was much harder than I had imagined.  The impact that they have had on me I can assure you is much bigger than the one I hope I can have on them.  The light that shines through these girls is incredible considering the circumstances that they deal with on a daily basis.  God is at work and my heart is full.  I will continue to encourage them, uplift them, and pray with them as we move forward.  I'm looking forward to very BIG hugs when we get back to South Africa. 

My heart is for the children of South Africa - the orphans, the vulnerable children.  All of them.  When I think about what has most impacted me while I was there, it was by far the ministry, the children.  I'm honored to be in South Africa serving the Lord by loving on His children.  Those hugs, those amazing smiles, those tears from those sweet children remind me that i's all worth it.  

Giving up everything to serve Jesus is worth it.  Completely worth it.