thankful

I’ve recently been reminded of the excitement I felt upon coming to South Africa. With the summer project team visiting this month, we’ve had a chance to see campus ministry through fresh eyes.

I don’t think I realized how draining college ministry abroad would be until it caught up with me these past couple of weeks. The past five months have been such a learning experience and the Lord has refined my heart in many different ways. To some extent, I had no idea what I was embarking on this year. I didn’t know the Lord would be using me to fully run a movement on campus, while also volunteering at Ukukhanya. I didn’t know the challenges of independently living and also serving on an all girls team in a foreign country. I didn’t know the great disparity of this country. I also didn’t know just how great our Savior is. The Lord is sovereign over everything. He knew even before we came that our hearts and lives would be forever changed. He has provided and protected in every possible way. I am so thankful that all hope is in Christ alone. Without Him, this year in South Africa would simply have no purpose.

Proverbs 16:9 "The heart of a man plans his ways, but the Lord establishes his steps."

My brother Andrew,his lovely wife Ellen, and their sweet daughter Etta Kate, recently moved to Orlando where Andrew serves as an attorney for Campus Crusade for Christ. They visited Summit Church and sent me this picture!
Maybe Dwight Howard will come visit us!

a beautiful life

Six countries and counting...where will these feet take us on our next adventure?

A guest blogger: Grace

My plane flight to South Africa lasted 36 hours. Honestly, I can’t remember a time in my life where I was alone for 36 hours straight. Sure I’ve traveled by myself before, but nothing compared to this journey. All of that alone time made me realize how much I crave relationships and how thankful I am for each relationship in my life- my family, Neal, my Guntersville friends, my Auburn friends, my Colorado friends, my classmates, and the list goes on and on. When I finally arrived in Durban, though, I realized that my relationship with Kate Balducci is one that brings me indescribable joy and warmth. Throughout my flights and layovers I kept thinking to myself, “I wonder if Kate will cry when I arrive…” Funny thing is that I was the person who choked up upon my arrival. While I was waiting for my luggage, I could see Lauren and Kate waiting for me behind the glass doors. Kate was holding a sign that said Welcome to South Africa, and in typical Kate fashion, it was upside down. Immediately, I started laughing, and I don’t think I’ve stopped since then. I’m so thankful that I have a friend that gave up her comfortable life at home to come serve the Lord in a far away place like Durban. Kate spends her days on one of the local campuses, meeting with students, encouraging them in their faith, and praying for their relationships with the Lord. The smiles on those students’ faces show how they, too, are thankful for Kate and her generous heart. Tomorrow Kate, Lauren, Erica and I are leaving for Cape Town for a little R&R. I hear it’s a breathtaking city, so I can’t wait to start the next adventure to begin.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!

We were so shocked to receive not one, but two huge parcels from the Bama staff team this week! We couldn’t have felt more encouraged than we did after reading their thoughtful letters. It was just what we needed after being on a week break from school and missing home after the devastation in Tuscaloosa. It definitely lifted our spirits and gave us plenty of new things to keep us entertained. I’m loving the plethora of dryer sheets, books, and reese’s eggs especially! And we now have one more wall decoration with the Alabama flag proudly hung!

We are so thankful to our friends at Bama for thinking of us!

A visitor

After four, very distraught months without her, Grace Henderson is coming to visit me this weekend! It seems like a dream to have another one of my best friends come all the way to South Africa! I can’t imagine there being better friends. I have felt more loved this past year, from people at home or visiting, than ever. Praise the Lord for best friends and family!

Here’s what I love about my best friend Grace:

• She’s never intimidated by & always welcomes an adventure!

• She sees the good in everyone.

• I’m constantly challenged by her zeal for life.

• She’s never met a stranger.

• She is definitely not afraid to be goofy (this is my favorite) !

• Though rare, she does get mad & totally turns into the blond hornet…watch out!

• We’ve seen the world together!

Can’t wait to embark on another adventure with my best friend!

Dixie

My heart is in Tuscaloosa right now. I would give anything to be a helping hand there. South Africa couldn’t feel more distant than it has this past week.

I am just in awe of the quick response to help so many people have had. From dealerships contributing money to students sorting through the rubble to people passing out sack lunches….the Lord has truly given generous and willing hearts to many. Praying for the people of Alabama- that they may see the Lord’s sovereign hand in all of this.

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed.” Says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10