Week 5 & Going Strong!!

So I am in my 5th week.
Can you believe it?! We celebrated our one month on Monday! (I’m writing this on Wednesday). I’ve been thinking about everyone a lot lately and there are moments when I miss you guys entirely too much! Especially this past week, I’ve seen Satan’s attacks on myself and my team and things have been semi-rough around here. But! We are entering the end of the week and we got through it and are seeing the light at the end of this tunnel.
Africa is officially feels like home to me now. This week was a holiday week for the South African children, so we didn’t do any schools presentations. But instead! We went to these two children places; basically a ministry for neighborhood kids that two elder women bring together, sing with them, give them soup and a piece of bread and send them on their way. So, Monday Tuesday and today we spent a lot of time with the same kids which was such a blessing because in an “evangelistic” ministry forming relationships is out of the question. So these past three days we really got to spend time with the kids and just love on them.
So here are two stories for you guys that I would so appreciate if you kept these kids in your prayers…
First story - I met these 4 girls that were between ages 12-14 that we’re all friends and in my group this whole week. (I got closest with them) So today when we had to say goodbye…they started crying begging me not to leave! It completely broke my heart. I didn’t want to leave at all! It was really neat to see that relationship form and see how they just so desperately just wanted someone to look up to, to love them and be their friend. Not sure about their background, but most likely not stable. The most BEAUTIFUL girls with such incredible gifts and talents.

Second story – A little girl about the age of 9 with her baby sister, Jamilee who is 2 years old. Jamilee was crying and crying the whole time we we’re singing with the children and she had caught my eye. So when we went outside her sister was holding her and Jamilee continued crying. I asked if I could see the baby and she nodded. I picked her up and she had wet her pants and her whole face was covered in tears, snot and dirt. I asked if she was sick and the sister said “Yes…and very hungry” So I ran inside, grabbed my apple out of my bag and a tissue and cleaned her up. The older sister said thank you and nodded in appreciation and gave me a huge hug. Please keep those two in your prayers as well! I don’t know there background but just pray for Gods faithfulness in their lives and he will provide food and health.
Those were the few children that really, really stuck out to me.

But other then that! Things have been awesome!
We’ve been doing a Youth Rally in this church every night. I spoke the first night on Paul and Purity. (Which was NUTS! Because it was in front of an entire congregation since it was a Sunday night!! Not just Youth!!) Then the last three nights were Youth. But God has been so faithful! Every thing has run so smoothly. I really believe He spoke through me. It was a really, really neat experience. It has been cool being around youth and seeing their passion for the Lord.

Loved our time in Mossel Bay.
BUT! It is time to pack up and go. Tomorrow we are getting a day off to regroup, and then Friday morning we are off to our next destination. (Not too sure where it is or what its called but I know its 10 hours away) There, we will be going into schools, not doing presentations, but sitting with the kids and doing interviews and seeing exactly HOW EFFECTIVE Book of Hope really is. So that will be really awesome. I’m pretty sure we have 15 schools to knock out in 5 days. So next week will be extremely busyyy!
Keep us in your prayers next week! Pray for consistency, energy, and perseverance.

The Lord is at work in my life. I can’t say it’s the easiest thing in the world when the Lord breaks you of all your imperfections…But, I can say I’m thankful for it. He’s been stripping me of all my fleshly desires and making me see myself for who I am in Him. I pray that everything I learn, I won’t forget! That I’ll begin building my life, my morals and my relationship with Him on a firm, FIRM foundation. He’s been teaching me security and what it REALLY means to love, what it means to have perseverence and how to make my relationship with Him very sincere and intimate. I don’t want to waste any more of my life not being all I can be for my Lord because “The day of salvation is nearer then when I first believed”!!!

I miss you guys a lot. Sometimes I so wish I could be home with you all! But I am really really happy where I am at right now. The Lord has been GOOD! He always is. This is a life changing experience and I am sooo grateful for it! And I’ll be home before you know it! Don’t think I’ve forgotten you guys just because I’m in the most BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY in the world!!!! Hahaha. J I still love my team!! I’m forming awesome relationships and the Lord is blessing me all the time, every day. I know your prayers are still being heard! I love you guys so much!!! I miss you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love always,
CHAR!

Katie Boo – I miss you a lot beautiful!!!!!! I think about you all the time and this trip reminds me of our Bahamas experiences so much! Haha, I can only imagine if you were here with me. I pray for you EVERY DAY! Believe me when I say that too. I hope CCA is treating you right and that you have stepped up to the plate this year! You’re a leader in so many different aspects. And DON’T forget that. I can’t believe how long we’ve been friends! You have no idea how freakin’ grateful I am for this friendship. Well my love, I love you I love you I love you! Be who you know you are called to be! Muah!

Hopeyyy – My beautiful sister! How much I’ve missed you this week. Ugh, there are moments when things happen that I’m like... “MAN! IF HOPE WERE HERE SHE’D BE ROLLING ON THE FLOOR LAUGHIN!” Hahaha. I so wish you were with me! I love you so much. I can’t believe the work your doing at home. I’m sure there are going to be some dull moments but keep at it! Keep being an example, because you’ll never know how much your example has effected my life. (aka – going to Africa for 4 months) J I love you!!!!

Gaby – I’m not sure if your home or not but I MISS YOU SOOOOOO MUCHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cant wait to see you and be home with you at home sleeping in your bed!!!!!!!!!! Ugh…. I cant believe how long its been since I’ve seen you. I love you so much gab! Every time I look at my bracelet I’m like “awww…daby!!! I miss you bashy!” I cant wait to re-unite with you! I’m going to tackle you for at least 4 hours when I see you. I love you I love youuuuuuuuu sooo much! MUAHH!!!