Hey everyone! So I've been here in South Africa for almost 3 weeks now. It has been an adventure already! Living in America you don't get to see what the rest of the world is REALLY like. Hollywood distorts our view of different cultures and countries. You can't understand fully unless you go to that place and experience it for yourself. Most people, when they think of Africa, they think of The Lion King, or just uncivilized tribal people who are dirt poor. But if you spend more than a day here you will know that thats not at all what Africa is like. True, there are lions and monkeys and giraffes and zebras, but they don't just roam the streets. Most of them are protected in wildlife parks. True, there are a lot of different tribes out in the rural parts of Africa, but they are anything but uncivilized. At times I feel like they have a better grasp on life than I do. And true, Africa is an impoverished country, but they don't see themselves as poor. In many ways they are more blessed than any American I know. They understand the true value of life, even if they don't understand the One who has given them life. But that's what I'm here to do, to tell them about the Creator they already have seen so much of. The people of Africa are loving, vibrant, and so hard working. I have learned so much already just from living in their midst.

In the city where we are living, Port Elizabeth, life is much like life in any other big city in the States. The only difference is people run around barefoot often, they drive on the left side of the road, and almost everyone is bilingual. The ministries that we are involved in on a weekly basis take place in the city. We do things like taking food to the curio vendors, watching kids at the AIDs Haven, serving elderly people at the soup kitchen, and working with the youth at the church. Everywhere you look there is an opportunity to serve. All you need is a willing heart and trust in God.

The next 17 months are sure to hold adventure enough to last a lifetime. God has already shown me so much here and has made me see that I have so much growing to do. I can't wait to see where God takes me in South Africa. Wherever it is I know its going to be amazing.