On the Road Again! Small Group Update

Due to Internet difficulties, this post was emailed to NWC and posted Stateside.  We apologize for not being able to post the pictures at this time with the update.  Hopefully, in a few days the pictures will be added to the post. :)

Hey everyone! This is Stephanie (Morgan not Manthey) here with a brief update. Our team is no longer in Luskikisiki – we are back “home” at Sondela. Here at Sondela we are more at ease and resting. Our hosts, Barry & Louise Atkins, cook delicious food for us each day and we are so blessed to be in their care. The weather here has been sunny and breezy, so we have had a lot of time outside J Tonight we will be leaving this place we have come to love and bussing to the next phase of our journey. It will be a challenge to be on the road again, but thankfully we have gotten some rest and rejuvenation here at Sondela. Below is an update from each of our small groups – Portugal, South Africa, and Mozambique. Enjoy!

Steph Manthey: “I learned to dance filled with the joy of the spirit. I’ll show you some moves when I get back.”

Chris Vang: “Being stripped of my daily comforts, I shout for joy in knowing that every single breath is a blessing.”

Ali Gunderson: “I praise God for his grace in my life as I learn more and more everyday about Africa, about God, and about my wonderful team.”

Emily Hein: “We have gained just a glimpse into South Africa as a country by riding the buses, knowing the people and speaking in the churches. We are stretched to love people enough to share the hope of Jesus by word and example everywhere we are.”

Priscilla Martinez-Carlos: “I am becoming a woman of faith and prayer.”

South Africa has been really, really great, to say the least.

Our team misses everyone at home: family, friends and especially, Tina.

United States’ food can’t compare to South Africa’s, especially their scones.

“T.I.A.” This is Africa. And, thank you.  For your prayers.  For your thoughts. We can feel them.

Halleluyah. Maga-bong-weh. Halleluyah. Maga-bong-weh.

All the memories and friends we’ve made here will be remembered forever.

Fridays are no longer what we look forward to during the week.

Rain has never meant more to us than it does now. We bathed in it, drank it and everything in between those two.

It is possible to fall asleep with cockroaches flying off the walls and falling off ceilings.  Believe us.

Can’t wait to share our stories and pictures, though what we have experienced here couldn’t possibly be put into words or captured through images.

All of us would like to say a few things: “You deserve the best.”  Africa does get cold sometimes. You can do almost anything in a skirt, really.  No alarm clocks are needed, if the roosters don’t wake you up, the children will.  Kari is leaving her heart here in South Africa.  And, last, but not least, God is good and He has blessed us with more than what we could ask for J

Signed,

Team “South Africa” from South Africa
Evan. Kari. Erin. Pazee. (Tina, we miss you)

Greetings from the Mozambique team! In just a few short days we will be entering our final destination which is of special interest to our small group. This is a group photo that was taken at the lake that we visited a couple days ago. It was a beautiful setting for a day of relaxation and soaking up the sun as we had a braai, or a cookout. The small group has just a few thoughts to wrap up processing our time in South Africa, so here are some words from us students:

In Africa we have learned:

Chelsey- 1) Cockroaches can fly. 2) Roosters crow at ALL hours of the night. 3) God and His Word are living and active in my heart and in these people. He is mighty to save!

Dani- 1) I can do anything in a skirt. 2) Sponge baths create great team bonding. 3) Singing “I have decided to follow Jesus” with my mouth and singing it with my heart are two different things—and one is easier than the other!

Mafú- 1) The world knows what eating well is exponentially better than U.S.A-ans. Mom, I now love squash. 2) It is not necessary to know the deceased or really anyone at an African funeral in order to be seated in a place of honor and be a pallbearer—you merely need to be white, Christian, and male. 3) “Solid, lasting missionary work is done on our knees.” Preaching seven different sermons in one day takes “pray without ceasing” to the next level!

Stephanie Morgan- 1) A netti pot works wonders in clearing up sinus infections. 2) Slapping children’s hands is a common form of discipline. 3) Evangelism is key. Sharing Christ is powerful and effective—many times children become saved and later bring their families to salvation!

Sunny- 1) Showering is in fact optional. 2) The “sniff test” takes on a whole other meaning. 3) “I’ve learned to hold everything loosely because it hurts when God pries my fingers from it.” –Corrie Ten Boom

That is a small snapshot into what we are learning culturally and spiritually throughout the adventures of this trip. We appreciate the prayers and ask that you keep them coming! We are praying for those of you at home as well and are excited to see you in a few short weeks. For now though, we will fully enjoy our time in Africa. God bless.