We're Here!!

Hey Everyone!

Thank you so much for your prayers regarding our travel as we arrived in Cape Town safe and sound on Wednesday afternoon! On Tuesday we were laid over in Germany for the day so we were able to go into Frankfurt and walk around. The team really enjoyed the time we were there as it had beautiful architecture and we were even able to go up into a high tower and have a view of the whole city. But we were all ready to go from the 20 degree weather to the 70 degree weather we are experiencing now!

It has been nice to have some down time as we've been experiencing the effects of jet lag. On Wednesday, we met some of the staff including Alicia who advises the team, Kendra, who is also working with us, Sondiso who is our cook (and a great one at that!), and Priscilla, who is taking care of cleaning and laundry. The rest of the day we took time to become oriented and move into the team house.

On Thursday, our team was able to tour the different branches of the ministry. To clarify, we are working with Living Hope, which is the umbrella organization for 5 different ministries. Living Care is the health care center that looks after HIV and AIDS patients within the community. Living Grace provides meals, devotions, and lockers to the homeless as they help them get back on their feet. Living Way is a job creation program that looks to provide life skills to the community which then allows them to better find a job. Living Right is the organization we will be volunteering with the most as it works with the children of many different townships in seeking to provide them with meaningful relationships, Biblical truths, and preventative teachings. Living Services is the HR and public relations branch that works behind the scenes to make the other programs possible.

One cool story I'd like to share is how much this organization is truly reaching their community. One building currently being used for Living Right was once a very prominent drug building within a neighborhood. The people of this community finally had enough of the dangerous activity and burned it down. Living Right was then able to purchase this building and the land it was on for what would be the equivalent of $15 US dollars. The building that once haunted this community and brought so much crime and violence is now one of its greatest sources of hope.

Today, we were going to begin construction with Living Way, but Molly had a surprise for us last night. Life Skill Educators are the people within Living Right who are making crucial relationships with these children who desperately need older mentors in their life. We will be working closely with the LSE's throughout this trip, and today we had the opportunity to get to know them more and bond with them...at an amusement park! While riding a roller coaster and getting soaked on water rides, we were able to exchange stories and really begin to connect with the people who have devoted their lives to this ministry. They are genuine, truly in love with the Lord and positively hilarious...aka they are incredible people!

Well, that's about all for now! I want to personally thank each and every one of you who are praying for us individually and as a team. I know that I have felt your prayers as we have begun to settle into the community. I humbly ask that you would continue to keep us in your prayers as we unite 12 people into one team with a sole purpose in mind (that of serving Jesus Christ!), for humility to allow God to work in ways that we cannot even imagine at this point, and for the strength and focus as we begin to serve alongside the community.

In Him,
Christina (and the team!)

PS. Hi mom!