HELLO FROM SOUTH AFRICA

Hey Everyone!!!! 

I'm sitting at in internet cafe, so I don't have much time but I definitely wanted to give you a quick update about everything going on so far in South Africa!!

Just wanted to let you know that my team and I arrived safely in Johannesburg, South Africa after a VERY LONG 21 hour flight on Tuesday, May 17th!  Thankfully, ALL of our luggage arrived WITH us and we were welcomed with a very warm greeting by the Campus Outreach –Johannesburg (COJ)  Staff who drove us safely to our little bungalow called The Butterfly.

The weather here is really nice during the day but very chilly in the early morning and evening. It has been really interesting getting accustomed to driving on the opposite side of the road, the Rand (their form of money), the 6 hour time difference, the food, and the new lingo ! We have already had some interesting encounters driving on the streets…I’m not going to share the details, but let’s just say I’ve been somewhat scared! Ha! You can pray for Wil & Casey (2 of my friends on the CCP) who are driving us around in a 10 passenger Quantum. (This is training wheels for our 14 passenger vehicle we should be getting soon. ) Also, I learned to play Rugby with the rest of the CCP team which was a lot of fun and good exercise!

During the past 3 days we have been gettting oriented to UJ-Bunting and to the culture of South Africa by the COJ Staff, which has been extremely helpful!!! I am so thankful that we haven’t wasted any time getting on the campus of UJ-Bunting! We have already become great friends with the campus security guard, Simon (which is a HUGE answer to prayer) However, some of us girls have struggled getting into Panorama (a women’s dorm).  On Wednesday,  we spent time with the student leaders in praying for the campus; they are very young believers themselves, yet their passion for the Gospel to go forth on their campus is so challenging!  Wednesday night we also went to the CO weekly meeting called “LeLife” which was surprisingly  successful! Having stepped onto the campus only  two hours before, we were able to meet tons of girls who came with us! My ministry partner’s name is Sarah- she goes to Virginia Tech and is amazing! We have the privilege of serving on the first 5 floors of Panorama and on Thursday night we  hosted our first Bible Study where 18 girls showed up! These women are so hungry and are searching everywhere  for something to satisfy! There is one student named Lucia, who openly admits that she is not a Christian, but who wants us to host the Bible study in her room from now on!  THAT IS CRAZY!

 It’s only been about 3 days here and I am already seeing how BIG God REALLY is compared to my small view of the power of God. God is moving at UJ-Bunting!  I am beginning to gain an understanding for what it means for ministry to be food. (John 4:34)  

On another note,  there are 11+ official languages in South Africa and these students  speak 5+ languages fluently! For example, when a group of them are conversing they will each be speaking a different language and understand every single word, no joke. Ha! Also, their names are VERY difficult to say much less remember. I really want these women to know how much I care for them, so please pray for grace to remember their names.

Things to Pray for:

1.       Panorama & Horison (2 Women’s res) & Majuba (Men’s Res) and the students that are in them. Please pray for receptive hearts & boldness to share the Gospel.

2.       1 Corinthians 2:2 – that I would know nothing except Christ Jesus and him crucified.

3.       Living with 15 other people can propose its challenges, so pray for unity among our team and that I would personally sacrifice for my team and grow in service to others.

4.       The women that I will be ministering to in Panorama- pray that these girls would open up and that they would be willing to go deeper, beyond surface level “chit chat” as I desire to share my life with them.  Pray that they would come to the Fountain of LIVING WATER, the only One who can satisfy and give life! (John 10:10, John 4:13-14)

5.       Sarah & Me- our ministry partnership.  Remembering the names of these girls!

LOVE & MISS YOU.

-Lauren