Sundays in SA

Hello from Sunday evening in SA!

Last night, we enjoyed a meal and fellowship with the Berson's here at the guest house.  We took some time sharing why we came and said "yes" to continuing the Lord's work here in South Africa. Drew also shared with us about how much growth and vision has come from St. Peter Christian College & Bethel Preschool, and the Lord's hand in all of that. It is certainly not finished yet, and the plans that God has for that are just incredible. New buildings are going up, the ground for the clinic has been broken, they're adding a tech building, adding a Grade 10 is in the future, an on-site orphanage, and continuing to bring in businesses that want to rent space on the campus to add to the already existing bakery and laundry businesses. The bakery bakes the bread that they then use at the school, and the cleaners wash some of the uniforms for the learners.  It's an awesome concept and a "win" for all parties. As we were talking, we discussed what a blessing that yesterday was, coming together with the teachers and staff of SPCC for a day of service to God and the school. As I mentioned previously, we hung curtains in the staff workroom, painted the pillars and the gate outside of the school and painted the boardroom and hung curtains at Bethel Preschool. Normally, if we're being honest here, getting up on a Saturday morning and painting is not something I'd be thrilled over. But when you're doing it with people who have so much joy and faith like I've never seen before, it makes it the most enjoyable work for everyone involved. We talked a lot at dinner last night about that very thing...joy and faith. Many people here could look at their situation and think, how? How could there be a God that loves me so deeply? The most beautiful part is they may not have much, but their love for their God is so deep despite it all. It's the most humbling thing to witness. What some people don't understand is that we aren't here for ourselves, to come here, paint some pillars, teach some kids and come home to pat ourselves on the back and say, "look what we did!". No, we get to say, "look what God did!" It's a partnership between God and all of us. We're here to work with the teachers, kids, and people here, to do the work that God has called us to do. And it's an ultimate blessing. 

Sunday has always been my favorite day of the week. Worship, a good meal, time with family, rest and relaxation for the upcoming week. It's a whole new level here in South Africa! This morning, we went to church at St. Peter Confessional Lutheran Church. Church was around 2.5 hours and involved a lot of singing, dancing and just pure JOY! Pastor Khumalo called our group up to the front to be introduced, which turned into an impromptu dance train around the church. A lot of the singing and speaking was done in Zulu, but there were some parts in English and phrases we could pick out. It was all so awesome! The sermon was given by the seminarian currently at St. Peter, Manqoba Zungu. 

After church, we went to lunch with the Berson's, Pastor Khumalo & his family, and the seminarian currently at St. Peter, Manqoba Zungu. We enjoyed a great meal of seafood & sushi and some great conversation and fellowship. When we got back to the hotel, we opened up the 8 suitcases of supplies and sorted through them to get them ready for tomorrow! 

We then joined the Berson's at their home in Middelburg for some more fellowship and time together. It was neat to see where they live! Annalise and I put together a puzzle in her bedroom; girl after my own heart. 

When we came back to the guest house, we lesson planned/worked out our schedule for our first official day at SPCC tomorrow. It feels like the night before the first day of school and it's SO EXCITING!

I can't say it enough, thank you all so much for your prayers and support for this mission here in SA. God is up to amazing things here.