First month of ministry is done!

Last week we finished our ministry at Beats and Books. Our last day was filled with laughter, dancing, spelling tests, prayers, photo shoots, and tears. I’m beyond grateful for the time that I was able to spend teaching English, reading out loud, teaching guitar, teaching piano, and just building relationships with God’s children. 

Going into my first day at Beats and Books it was not what I was expecting. I confess that I was doubting what God had in store for the next month and I was swallowed by my own pride. Thoughts such as “This is chaos, nothing will actually get done.” “This isn’t what I thought my ministry would look like... I’m disappointed I’m not working with smaller children.” My own expectations got in the way of seeing what God had in store for us within those bookshelved walls. A month later I can say with confidence that God had me right where He wanted me. 

It never stopped being chaotic, but work got done. It’s still not what I thought ministry was originally going to look like, but I formed relationships that I will treasure forever. I didn’t work with children under the age of eight, but I was able to have conversations about Jesus and show them that books can be enjoyable and an adventure instead of just work. 

God broke down my pride and showed me again and again that He knows better than I do and that His plan is forever better than mine. 

There’s a reason Jesus told us to become like children. A child’s love is pure and whole. (Matthew 18:1-3) I felt child-like love when children who I had not yet had a conversation with would come up to me and hug me before they left. I felt child-like love when the girls would stroke my hair as I corrected their English. I felt child-like love when we were dancing and my hands were never free because they were always being held. 

Asesona, Asenathi, Aya, Inga, Simoney, Inathi, Sebu, Sethu, Seno, Kuhle, Craig, Reginald, Butcha, Yongi, Ezi, Azifani, Batho, Bradley, Frankie, Clyde, Runaylin, Shanique, Hope, Liza, Desire, Divine, Clivia, Zandile, Delight, Paulina, and Tamio, ek is lief vir jou.

Thank you Beats and Books from the bottom of my heart. 

Update: 

Due to COVID-19 levels rising, Eswatini’s borders have closed. For the next month we will be staying in Jeffery’s Bay, South Africa 

Prayer requests:

That Covid levels won’t go up anymore and it wouldn’t effect our trip any further

That my hunger for the Bible continues to grow

That we continue to stay healthy

Finally that my heart is fully prepared for our next ministry opportunity (which is still to be determined)  

Inathi and I 

Asesona, Liza, Me

Butcha, Kuhle 

Kuhle, Butcha and I