South Africa

We have officially made it to Muizenberg, South Africa. The team and I arrived on January 15th in Cape Town and we're staying in Muizenberg, which is actually a white suburb outside of Cape Town. We're staying on the YWAM base, where they're running a DTS that started in January and an SBS (school of biblical studies) that started last September. Needless to say, there are about 4 times as many people on the base here than in Carlisle and it can be slightly overwhelming at times, but it's great meeting so many other YWAMers.

So, the team arrived safely, but without Meghan, who was asked by the leadership to not attend outreach. She wasn't really in the mode to be able to do ministry and due to some prior instances, safety was also an issue. It was so difficult leaving her at the airport and it's definitely made our team dynamics change. Since Meghan isn't with us, our team dropped down to 4 DTS students and 2 leaders. Once we arrived in South Africa, we found out that there was a student who wasn't able to go on outreach with his school because of difficulties with his visa. So Alido, who is from South Africa, joined our team last week and it's been such a blessing.

We've been working primarily with Pastor Gabriel in the townships and with the church that he's planting. It's been an interesting experience so far. We've been doing door to door evangelism in the townships of Green Park and Delft. We've also been helping with the youth group on Friday nights in Mfuleni and attending the church service there on Sunday mornings. We've seen 3-4 people come to Christ in the townships and we've been able to pray for a number of others. We've also done some beach evangelism in Muizenberg. There's a children's ministry in Capricorn, another township, and we will be putting that on weekly until we leave for Jeffrey's Bay.
This next week, we'll be working in the prisons, both juvenile and adult, putting on a program and just trying to bring some hope.

It's been a bit of a shock being here in South Africa in that the food is different, the climate is much warmer, and the people are so much more receptive to hearing the Gospel (at least compared to England). It's so odd to see miles and miles of townships and coloured communities that are in pretty poor condition. Apparently conditions are getting better compared to what they were even a few years ago. The children are so beautiful and just want to be loved on (as all kids do). The youth that we're working with are so passionate about Jesus and about furthering their educations so that they can improve the situation of South Africa. Many of them did a DTS here in Muizenberg in the past year or two, so they know exactly why we're here and have been so willing to help.

Please continue to pray for the team as we do ministry. That we would meet those whom God has intended for us to speak to. That we would be a blessing to the people. That we would stand together in unity. Also pray for the Garden Route team as they prepare to leave to Ashton on Monday and will be traveling.