Home away from Home

I haven't blogged in awhile because I haven't really had much to say or thought anything was worth a post. The next week we will have our gateway camp, and I won't have internet and the following week we are headed to Johannesburg on outreach. I have no idea if we will have internet there either, so I will possibly MIA for two weeks. So I decided to write, just so you know that I am alive and well.

We have been working extremely hard the past 2 1/2 weeks preparing and planning Gateway. It is a 4 day came, filled with speakers, worship and breakouts. Most of them led by pastors from around South Africa, so I am excited to hear what is on their hearts to share about God and the Holy Spirit. It has been some of the most challenging 2 1/2 weeks I have ever had. First of all, at this moment, this is the longest I have ever been away from home. I have also never worked with people from a different culture. It has been hard at times, but the Lord has really shown me a whole lot about myself because of it, so through all the tears and frustrations, I am grateful. I know that I will look back on these difficult days and laugh realizing all of the ways the Lord revealed Himself to me, even when I cannot always see it right now. We have about 36 hours left until our camp kicks off....if we get everything done and this week goes as planned, I know it is ONLY because of Jesus. There is no way we should be able to get all of this done, but the Lord is gracious and His plans always prevail. I am excited for the week to come and to see how this will all come together.

During all this prep time, I have had the great privilege to meet Mary. She is probably one of the sweetest people I have ever met, besides my Mimi, who's name is also Mary, therefore you already know, without meeting her, that she is great! I've gotten to spend time with her, hearing her story and just joking around with her. She has really made me feel at home here. Being with her, in her home, has been such a blessing. It is my home away from home. She continually tells me how much she loves me and that I am her family. I cannot begin to express what a gift from the Lord she is. She keeps me sane, she makes me laugh, and she tells me what to do. I love her. Mary is the manager over the Bottlebrush project. So yet again, we have another connection. Since I got to go to Bottlebrush that one day, I have enjoyed talking with her about it and helping make the lunches for the children. Y'all would be so impressed with how the feeding happens. Every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, a group of people come over and pack hundreds of lunches for these kids. This isn't just a one time deal that you go and experience, this is their life. They do this because the truly believe this is one of the ways the Lord has called them to minister to these kids. This is how they show Kingdom life to kids who don't grow up learning this from their parents. I am so blessed to get to experience this and see what working for the Lord is like for them. I am excited for this friendship. I am excited that this isn't just a friendship I am making while I am here, but a friendship that will last me all my life and on into eternity. Even if I was never to see Mary again, I know that I will get to see her in heaven. She has such a servants heart and I know for a fact the Lord is so pleased with her and loves her more than I ever could, and I love this woman a whole lot.

Please be praying for rest. I am extremely tired! We will continue to go and go until I get on the plane to come home. Also, prayers for the Lord's joy to overwhelm my team and I.

Thank you so much for the prayers and for keeping up with me as this journey continues. If you would like to know how things are going in the next two weeks, I will be keeping up with my mom so you can get ahold of her. =)

With love,
Jodi