Impact Africa Missions Discovery: Debrief

Hey family all over the world!

So I have returned from my internship with Impact Africa, and I'm exhausted. I want to be honest here, it was a really tough month for me. I was trying to convince myself that I was happy to be there but I wasn't. Instead of happily going where God asked me to be. I dragged my feet and went with a bad attitude. Basically told God, I'm here, I've listened, but I'm going to be happy about it.

I felt like my attitude was fine during ministry but as soon as we were done in the communities my sassy and sarcastic self would return. Ever look at yourself and just say, ick. I didn't like myself but I wasn't doing much to change it.

The Team

Ya, this lasted for the first week and a half till I decided I was done and asked God for my Joy back. He brought me to Colossians 1:9-13 specifically verse 10 "so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Ya was so not doing that but I wanted to be "fully pleasing to him" = attitude change

Kaya Sands

Despite a rough start, I did have a good time. I got to witness people being healed and people giving their lives to Jesus. 

Most of the month was spent walking through the communities, talking to people and sharing Jesus. I got to pray with a few women who wanted to give their lives to Jesus and got to see God heal aches and pains as we prayed. I loved getting invited into shacks and hearing people's story. They want to share so badly but very few people want to listen.

I think one of my favourite parts of doing shack to shack ministry is watching God "allow people to hear truth" for the first time. We didn't say anything special or have any special prayers but it's the work of the Holy Spirit moving in people's hearts.

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Romans 1:19

In Zandspruit Praying for Thabiso

Praying for Michelle and her Son

  We did a kids program which I had done before in a different capacity. It was super intimidating because we all got roles and mine was the gospel. I had to show a water and oil illustration about our sin and God, then review the Gospel, and lead a prayer at the end.  Talk about an embarrassing moment when the first time we put on the program I got the microphone and totally blanked on the story of Jesus. I don't remember what I said but apparently it turned out okay lol. After that, I prepared what I was going to say. Funny how much better things go when you actually plan ahead. It was really cool to hear a new curriculum and get some ideas for some 'potentials' backs at Refilwe.

First Day Kids Club

Last day Kids Club

I had a special moment in Diepsloot. We were walking around and we saw a women carrying a little baby. She let me hold Bryan, who was only 2 months old. Holding him in the middle of the squatter camp I had a moment in my heart of " this is what I'm good at and this is what I love." It was a conformation moment of being at the baby house. Isn't it a great feeling to know what your doing is right!?
   

Bryan

I could just continue typing about the things I learned, all the little moments and amazingly cool things that happened however, my blog post would be incredibly long. So one last thing I want to share then I'll close it up.

I love discipleship. I really enjoy getting to speak truth into teenagers lives, share my testimony and help figure out life together. A lot of the girls were much younger than me so it was cool to get to connect with the girls in my cabin.  On that note, I want to give a shout-out to Dilcia. She is a missionary in Nicaragua and someone I know I will be forever friends with. I honestly don't know if I would have made it the whole month without her. We discussed life, testimonies, shared laughs, encouraged one another and got extremely honest. We were able to process our days together since our views were a bit different from the rest already being in ministry full time. It was amazing to learn from her years of wisdom in life and in sharing Jesus. Watching this women share the gospel was amazing and inspiring.

Dilica and I at the Lion Park

Dilica Sharing Jesus

Night Safari!

Thank you to everyone who made this journey happen. Through helping me fund this project, all the prayers and those who sent words of encouragement during the internship. Even though it was extremely hard, it was SO worth it. I feel like I learned a lot about my Heavenly Father, myself and How to Share my faith.  I don't think I would have learned all these things if I would have stayed Home.

Standing on the Bridge to Diepsloot Extension 2

Thanks for Reading,

Whit