This Week
This was a wonderful week! Monday I joined the group ministering in Escom so that I could do a drama in their program. It was a fun change. We got there and spent a few minutes walking around this township and inviting people to a church meeting "under the big tree at half past two". Michelle J., Michael, and I followed Chelsea G. around. She was amazing! She knew everyone by name, and it was so encouraging to see all the relationships she had made while ministering there. We then met back at the cresh (preschool) and spent a few minutes with the kids, and then headed off with the rest of the group for the big tree. (Brianna stayed at the cresh with Marissa). I met a few girls while walking around and they joined us for the program. One girl, Emma, really capture my heart! She is a beautiful girl and I just played and danced with the girls and loved on her. We opened with the drama. Chelsea G., Michael, Michelle J., Luke and I performed the drama we had made up about alcoholism. I think it was understood. Then we sang a few songs, and then Aubrey presented a message about what it really means to believe. By the time the program ended and we prayed for a few people, it was time for us to head back. This was Monday!
The rest of the week I did ministry at Mamelodi. It was amazing just to continue in the relationships that I have with some of the girls. We tried to focus this week on the basics of sin, the purpose of Jesus, and understanding the gospel. It went really well this week! On our last day there (Thursday) we had a party with Jesus. We had glitter face paint, balloon animals/hats/guitars/etc., dancing, and finished their journals. It was a lot of fun! I also got to see some of the older girls I hadn't seen since my first few weeks in South Africa, and it was amazing just to encourage them again. It was really hard to say goodbye yesterday, but I will continue to pray for them and know that the Lord will continue to be with them. This ministry site is amazing, and I ask that you pray specifically for Baraka ministries: for Avril (the founder) and Josephine and Sophie two of the women who work there. Praise God for the way he is providing for these children!

A few side notes!

On Oct. 31st we all came together and celebrated Jesus. This party was amazing! We all dressed up as different Biblical things (from Lot's wife, to plagues, the armor of God, the garden... you name it... it was there), and then had amazing food, games, and fun down at the barn. At the end we even had fireworks. It was a wonderful night... and I have a few pictures posted from it.

Today our teams were finalized. I am now officially going to Kenya in the spring. I am very excited, and can't wait to start bonding as a new type of team. Tonight is the last night when all of the Africa team will be together, and then "community living maxed out" starts sometime soon. None of us know what that means but the girls are starting to figure out how much they can fit in their purses. We are also sad as we have to say goodbye to half of our family, and so please keep us all in your prayers! Kenya team is as follows: me, Michelle J., Amber, Nicole, Teresa, J.B., Michael, Luke, Allison, Joie, Abby, Melissa, Denise, Tessa, and Chelsea G. That means that everyone else is on the Swazi team or will be doing ministry at home in the spring. I am very excited but also will miss many of my close friends... especially Elisa! She is laughing as I write this! So this is the news from Africa.