Bats in the Belfry? I don't think I even have one of those...

God’s Blessings just continue over my time here. I was able to purchase my SIM card and activate my phone for a pricey R 0.99. No activation fee so that was great. Managed to get myself completely locked out of my phone once already (it is great to get that out of the way. Haha. )

 

Now on to what I am sure most of you would view as a more pressing matter than my cell phone. The flat I had mentioned before was taken before we were prepared to make a decision about it. The next place, which I found online, was everything that I had hoped for and more. I was pretty sure that I had found the perfect place. (Insert photo here)  The deal was ready to be signed but there was one more place to see. The first place was a flat by myself on a property with a few other flats. This one is the basement of a house. The upstairs is a missionary family serving with Campus Outreach and the basement was the home of two of the single female staff members. One of them is moving home at the end of this month.  Now I was torn and needed to figure out where God wanted me to be living, not just what would be best for me but also what would be best for the ministry that God wants me to be doing. I had a chance to chat with Stephanie (the girl moving) and she directed me to James 1:5- If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. Going for with that I spent a day in prayer and seeking wise council. I felt that God was calling me to live with the Campus Outreach team because it will keep me more accountable, be safer and I can learn a lot about discipleship from them as their organization is very focused on this. Now that I have a place to live, I am excited to move up to Pretoria. This will occur at the beginning of October. Until then the majority of my ministry with my Pretoria girls is holding the ministry in prayer and the occasional visit, the next one will be on September 25. This waiting to start is challenging for me, but I am learning about the culture, past history and patience. Gods timing is always perfect so I have to trust in that.

By the way my new mailing address is 179 Smith Street, Mucklenuek, Pretoria, South Africa 0002.

 

I had my first solo drive up to Pretoria the same day I went to see the house. I had to replace both the clutch and brakes on the car I am driving but now that I have that done, I am enjoying driving here.  I have been all around including mini golfing with Missy and a member of my team from camp last year. That was great catching up and seeing how excited she was to have me back in South Africa. God has granted me favour with the people I have been in contact with. A family that I met at the resolution conference had me to their church and then back for a braai on Sunday. This proved to be slightly more exciting than expected when the front of their yard was on fire due to some welding issues. Just another day in here in South Africa, I suppose...  We had a great time of fellowship and I know that their friendship will be a blessing in the coming year.

 

Also exciting was the visitor that I had the other evening. I have to say that he was cute... I posted his picture below. I looked into my room, there were the strangest shadows looping around my room, and the cat, who does not spend much time in my room, was sitting on the floor watching in circles. This genuine South African bat was my friend for a good while until he settled above the drapes and we were able to move him outside the house. Life here is pretty exciting.

 

Tomorrow we fly to Cape Town. Our flight leaves at 6am. Please pray for us me as I will be leading the first session on the Audience of One principle. I am excited to help lead an NTC because each time I have done it I have grown and learned so much. Please pray that God will give me the right words to share his message and for safety for the students as they do the on field sessions and the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. In addition, we are getting fully into our preparation for the Plettenburg Bay Beach Mission. Our first training camp is coming up on October 1-2. Please pray that as we prepare and lead we would be listening to God’s desire for the camp. That we would trust His lead and not just doing what we think would be good to do. Pray for the hearts of the team, that God would prepare and challenge them to grow in these next months as we get ready for the mission.

 

Lastly Missy and I will be staying in Cape Town for a few more days after the session, please pray that this would be a great time to connect, grow and refresh as we take in the Beauty of God’s creation in that beautiful city.

               

Thank you guys so much for your thoughts and prayers and the support that has allowed me to take this big step of faith. I can’t wait to see what God has planned next!

Love,

Rachel