So much to be thankful for...

Happy Thanksgiving! I just wanted to quickly post given that it has now been almost three months. Man, I am so terrible at this communication thing. Today is Thanksgiving, but in Port Elizabeth, it is just another day. Last year that was pretty difficult for me. I missed my family and home very much. This year is different. I still miss my family and home today, but I have so much to be thankful for, that it is hard to get bogged down with sad thoughts. I am sitting in my coordinator's sun room surrounded by my family. Family that now consists of four of my original team, five new teammates, and my cherished coordinators. Today is family day. This morning when I woke up, I began to think of all that I had to be thankful for.. a little cliche I realise, given that it is Thanksgiving, but something that I wish I took more time to think about. It goes without saying that the people in my life are by far what I am most grateful for. I truly believe that life couldn't be much sweeter than it is right now. I am surrounded by people who love God with all of their hearts and fight daily to be more like Him. The commitment to Christ that I see in my team blows me away. They are so young, yet so faithful. We are clueless at times, but realise that it is God who is working in and through us. We are being transformed. I can't think of anything to be more thankful for. As the time seems to be slipping through my finger tips,I have come to the conclusion that I can never thank God enough for the time that I have had here. I will never be the same. I have learned lessons that I struggle to explain. I have been loved and hopefully learned to love in a way that I had not experienced before. I have witnessed God at work daily in the lives of those around me, as well as learning to recognize His hand at work in me. I pray that today as you take time to reflect on the blessings in your lives that you are overwhelmed with all that God has and is doing for you.

Happy Thanksgiving from Port Elizabeth, South Africa!

Luke 10:2 and Sarah Jane

As an AIM class, we were able to spend a week or so in Mexico City, learning the ropes from seasoned pros. Our team was blessed to spend the majority of our time being led by James and Erin Henderson. They were both a huge encouragement to me and I was able to pick up a few things that I have tried to implement here in South Africa. We spent one afternoon on the university campus in Mexico City. Our aim was to spend the afternoon praying over the campus and it's students, etc. Before we split up to pray, James shared with us something he and his teammates were doing as well as the AIMers he was working with. James encouraged us to daily pray to the Lord of the harvest ( Luke 10:2 ) to raise up workers for His fields in that specific place, then Mexico City, now Port Elizabeth. I have not forgotten this advice and have tried to be faithful in praying that prayer here. Despite my short comings in prayer, God is raising up workers in South Africa and Port Elizabeth specifically!
I have spoken of my good friend Sarah-Jane before, but I want to take a minute and share a little bit of how God is working through her today. Sarah Jane is my closest friend in Port Elizabeth. We met through a mutual friend and haven't looked back. She is also Jess' best friend from school and still is today. Sarah Jane is a brand new Christian, not even a year old yet. She was most influenced spritually through her friendship with Jess. Now, when Jess left for school, it really challenged Sarah Jane to take her spiritual life in a new direction. God is doing amazing things! What I want to brag on now is somthing that I think is just so cool. Two weeks ago while I was in Cape Town, Sarah Jane initiated and led her first small group and taught her first lesson! I can not tell you how proud and excited I am for her. She has begun a girl's small group with the university students of the Port Elizabeth Chruch of Christ. Her vision is to create an environment that they will share with one another in community and grow in their love and knowldge of Christ. I am absolutely gutted that I wasn't here for it, but I have a feeling, God used that time for her to be brave and give this teaching thing a shot! When I spoke to her afterward, she told me that she felt so special, so honoured to be doing what she was. Although she was incredibly excited, I believe humbled is the best way to describe her. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for Sarah Jane's life and the lives she will touch along the way. Please pray for her continued growth and zeal for the lost. She is being transformed right before our eyes and it is such a priviledge to witness. God IS raising up workers for His harvest.