My Life in South Africa

Hello everyone! On January 12th we arrived in Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa to work with a school called Global Leadership Academy (GLA). So far, I’ve really been enjoying our time serving here. I and the rest of the men of the squad have been doing construction and clean-up work around the campus to help the school expand and realize their goals and visions. So far I’ve cleaned classrooms, built a playground, and cleaned up trash to name a few. When I started this blog post I had no clue where to start and I didn’t have anything in particular I wanted to write about so I figured I’d share a little about how the Lord has been speaking to me, as shown in my journal entries and pictures (see Facebook/Instagram for pictures, this blog site doesn’t like pictures) from this week. 

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1/21/23 Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa

Today I read Psalm 25. Lord, I lift up my soul to you today. I pray that I will walk in your paths today and make room for you to lead me in your truth. I will take refuge in your steadfast love and faithfulness; keep me in the light and truth and away from the tactics of the enemy. I trust you to guard my soul and lead me closer to you.

It’s nice to have a day off today. We spent the day hanging out in town at coffee shops and restaurants. While at the coffee shop I was able to work on applications for scholarships at WCU. After lunch we got ice cream and after waiting way too long for a taxi we went to a restaurant to hang out. I got some great pictures of the town and around the beach today!

1/24/23 Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa

The Lord calls me into deeper love with him. His presence finds me even when I’m doing nothing to deserve it. Why then, do I continue to lean on my own understanding and turn my head the other way, away from the invitation of the Lord’s grace and kindness? I realize how much I take this wonderful reality for granted instead of allowing it to transform and overcome me. Lord, thank you for loving me the way that only you can. Thank you for showing me more and more of your love and who you are through life and through people around me. Lord, I pray that today you will fill my heart and that I will be attentive to your presence and open to your voice, for you are better than anything else I can choose in this day. Guide my heart and show me your peace and love. I’m sorry for the times I choose myself over you and shut out your voice of love. Thank you Lord for hearing my prayers and turning your face towards me when I am weak.

1/25/23 Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa

I am redeemed! I am no longer a slave to my sins and my fleshly desires for I have been called a child of God. If this is true, then why is it so hard to live this way? I am asking the Lord to enter into my struggle with these things and show me how to come under the yoke of Jesus and lay down my burdens of stress, shame, and distractions at his feet.

Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

1/26/23 Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa

A beautiful day today! It’s refreshing to see a clear sunrise and a clear blue sky after so many gray and overcast days. Thank you God for showing us your beauty today and reminding me of your love and glory. A ray of sunlight shines across my journal as I’m writing. So far a good start to the day. More people are going bungee jumping tomorrow, I don’t know if I’ll go with them as a spectator or not. We have a change in our work schedule starting this week. We’ll have Fridays off and then work on Saturday instead of working Monday-Friday and taking Saturday and Sunday off. I’m thoroughly enjoying our stay here at GLA school. I believe the squad is growing in community and overall everyone’s having a good time. Surfing, finding nice spots in town, the beach, movies, drinking good coffee, and McDonald’s runs are also making this an upbeat and exciting month. 

Lord, thank you for refreshing me with joy and happiness this morning. Every good thing originates from you (James 1:17), thank you for blessing us with a season of community and growth.

1/27/23 Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa

After four long workdays we have a day of relaxation and fun. I’m looking forward to posting another blog and going to the beach today. The men started reading another book. It’s called “The Gift of Being Yourself” by David Benner. We read the first two chapters and had a discussion this morning, and so far I’m intrigued by what Benner says about growing in relationship with God and how God relates to us as human beings. I’m looking forward to continuing this read during my time here at GLA. I’m currently waiting for a taxi with Reid J., Josh, and Derek so we can go to some stores in town and then to the beach! We’re also stopping by a coffee shop to hang for a bit to connect to Wi-Fi and get some things done.