While I'm still processing the lessons and trying to get my head back in Cape Town, I wanted to blog a brief update about this God-given opportunity to serve deep in Africa!
My South African sister Meagan and I flew to Kenya late June; Becky Weeks (a friend from my church in the USA) also flew in to join us. Pastor Jane was our host in Thika, Kenya. She really ministered to us as she introduced us to her church, community and her life as a national-missionary. We spent lots of time laughing, chatting and learning from each other. Meagan, Becky and I taught about 50-75 youth during a weekend Youth Conference. Multiple churches sent their youth groups; we loved getting these young people together to study God's Word. We left challenged to be committed disciple-makers!
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| Kenya PEFA Youth Conference |
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| Kenya - Youth Conference OUTING to 14 Falls |
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| Kenya - Meagan, Melanie, Pastor Jane, Becky |
Then, in early July, Meagan, Becky, Jane and I all traveled together to Zambia to join Kelsey Weeks and a team of young gals that had been serving the non-profit, Luyando (http://www.luyando.org), for their summer break. Our team spent many days with the children and mamas of a little farming village, Simukale. We participated in the Luyando Feeding Program and Kids Club. I got to teach some art lessons to budding artists who had never had the opportunity to use paint. Meagan and I used a translator and interviewed the volunteer staff of Luyando to get their feedback and ideas on how to expand and develop Luyando.
My time in Zambia with Kelsey and Becky was amazing; I got to put my eyes and heart into this project that I'd heard so much about. I'm proud to say that this organization is growing and going through changes that will help sustain discipleship and assist the local church in growing Believers. My past experience in the non-profit world in Africa and my current challenges with church-planting all came in handy as I was able to relate to the ups, downs and frustrations that come with this sort of mission. I pray that Meagan and I were an encouragement to those involved in developing this project. God is at work in the Luyando visionaries (Kelsey Weeks and Pastor Kapapa); I hope to support their work for years to come! If you see Kelsey or Becky Weeks, please ask them about Luyando, encourage them to persevere and ask how you can support their lifelong call to Zambia!
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| Zambia - Girls Team 2015 - at Southern Comfort Motel/Hut |
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| Kelsey and Melanie - on mission in Africa together! |
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| Zambia - Women's Conference at Monze Baptist Church |
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| Zambia - Luyando - Feeding Program under the tree! |
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| Zambia - Meagan helping killing our lunch |
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| Zambia - Luyando - ready for lunch! |
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| Zambia - Art Lessons with Mel |
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| Zambia - my little artists showing off their work |
Each country and host we visited asked us to return again and continue the work we began. That is such an honor and a great hope for future ministry in Africa! I felt much affirmation in my call to Africa while also hearing God point out some gifts that I need to continue to use in ministry and allow Him to develop. This trip was VALUABLE to both Meagan and myself as we gained experienced, learned about other cultures, used our gifts, and were refreshed by other Believers. Thank you to each of you who supported this journey.
I'll post some other gleanings from this trip in days to come. Thanks to God and all who invested in this journey through prayer and support. Honored to be on mission in Africa!
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