May/June

First off I want to send my sympathies and ask for your prayers for my friend Sandra. Her and her family lost an incredible husband and father this past week.

It has been tough trying to write updates as I come to the end of my time here in South Africa but compared to that last bit of news I guess things are not so bad. Things have been busy, you question your future plans, and you feel the need to take as much time with people as possible.  Our time with the Canadian team went really well. It was cool to see how God really granted the team favour with everyone. While they were here we spent time in Bulembu, played Banyana Banyana, ran camps in Eusterust, played UJ and TUKS, and even played with lion and tiger cubs. It was a great couple of weeks getting to know the team and we were also blessed with some great conversations.  It was amazing to see the openness of the teams and of the community in Bulembu to this incredible group of girls and the way the encouraged and challenged young girls to be the best they can be. It was great to see Shorty and Sdu share their stories, experiences and lives with the girls, being genuine witnesses of Christ’s love. Please be praying that God continues to use this experience to challenge their perspectives and that He would soften the hearts of those on the team who don’t know Him. This tour was a challenge for me because I had some personality clashes with the leadership and my pride caused me to really struggle.  It is incredible to see the mending power of God’s grace in our friendship now that the tour is complete.

I had the opportunity to return to Bulembu when my friend Lindsey was here after serving in Rwanda and Ethiopia. We had an amazing time of reconnecting and building each other up in faith. We challenged my little car to take the mountainous, pot hole filled trek into Swaziland to arrive in Bulembu. There we had the chance to really get into the community. Bulembu is an old mining town that shut down in 2001. From there it was purchased by a group on men from the states who turned it into Bulembu ministries. The ministry has a few main goals. One is to be self sustainable by 2020. In order to achieve this they have many service industries: dairy, honey, a bakery- with the most incredible donuts!!- lumber and crafts. The second main goal is to help with the huge issue of orphans in Swaziland. Swaziland has the highest rate of HIV/Aids in the world and a vast number of orphans. Bulembu takes them in case by case, they have a very strong education program, live in one gender families of 6 with a Swazi auntie and always right next door to any siblings they might have. The goal is to raise up leaders that will leave a positive impact on their country and to help make a dent into providing for the large number of orphans. Lindsey and I enjoyed joining in one of the local bible studies, serving in the primary school and coaching a volleyball session. If I am blessed with the opportunity I would love to spend more time serving and learning here.

All through May I struggled with the desire to stay in South Africa longer. I really feel like God has blessed me with the ability to fit in this culture and especially at the end of my time I was seeing a lot of growth in the girls that I was working with. But God really put it on my heart to honour my commitment at the University and I am excited to serve and receive training in both ministry and coaching. It was cool to see God answer focused prayer and concern.

Even as my time nears to a close I am challenged in my times of reflection and it is amazing to think on all God has done. I will write more later but for now I just ask that you please pray for my time with Marcus as we travel in China and for my transition back home. It has been amazing to journey with you and I am so excited to see what God has planned for this upcoming year! Love you all tons!!

UTC Review

My  beautiful friends and family. I am sorry once again it has taken so long for me to update you. There has been a lot going on so this is going to be a bit of a long one... but hopefully worthwhile. Back at the end of April we ran UTC (Ultimate Training Camp.... or as we like to call it in Canada “National Training Camp”) with 16 University students from the University of Pretoria and the University of Johannesburg. With three of the HPC girls and one player from TUKS (UP) representing Pretoria. UTC is always challenging no matter what side of the field you are on and this was no exception.

Classroom Time- If they look half asleep then I wasn't teaching... 

One of my highlights was teaching the Hurtin’ for Certain message. We live in a society that expects and needs everything to go right all the time. But here in South Africa people face so many challenges and struggles. In this principle we talk about how sometimes we do (and all of us will) face trials and difficulties that we bring upon ourselves and others that we do not. The ones that we do not are the ones that make no sense without God having an ultimate plan. These trials are used to develop Christ like character in us. When we look at these trials we think of the refiner’s fire. When silver is made, the refiner heats up the rock and the impurities rise to the top. He clears away the dross, and stays right beside the entire process. He knows the refinement is finished when he can clearly see his face reflected in the cooled metal. In the same way we will be finished going through refinement when look like Christ in our hearts, thoughts and deeds.

Piggyback rides around the rugby pitch

The other main thing we learn is that only God can take any situation no matter how bad it looks or feels and use it for our good and for His glory. As we learn this we follow Joseph’s story going through being sold, being put in jail, interpreting dreams and finally being placed in the position of honour as the second most powerful man in Egypt and saving the National of Israel. In that time, God had a plan, and it was a very different plan from the one Joseph would have had on own. Here in SA there are a lot of churches that try to preach that through following Christ you will be wealthy and prosperous... but God didn’t promise an easy life, but He did promise a life lived to our fullest.

Playing with Rachel for a short while during the SPECIAL

As the time progressed and we moved closer to the SPECIAL we got to get to know the students better especially as the small group leaders met with them one on one. At the time of the SPECIAL draft we really saw God’s hand and leading as we chose captains and then as they chose their teams. Team 1’s captain is a kind hearted guy. He chose one of our strong athletes and two girls that would likely have been chosen last as they are not really athletes. Then early in the special the captain was injured and the two girls were almost too sore to move. So for many of the games it was just one girl against the other team.

But it was amazing to see how God gave her so much strength and ability. And after it was all over on reflection it was exactly the challenge she needed. And now she is at the Banyana (Senior National Team) Camp as they prepare for the Olympics. She doesn’t feel physically quite ready but she knows that she can push so far beyond what she feels.

Boitumelo (TUKS)

On another team the captain felt called to choose an all-girl team. It was incredible to see how that team in particular banded together. They pushed each other, encouraged each other and built each other up in spiritual truths. We saw the athletes push beyond their normal and saw many of them come to know more about what God thinks of them and to place their trust in the Father that wants to carry them forever.

Kaylin (HPC) during the Special

One other highlight was having Kaylin pray during the final meal. She told me after Plett that the biggest change for her was that she now felt she could really pray to God. Not just pray a scripted prayer. Her prayer that meal was just so genuine and real. It was a blessing to know that God used me for a small part of her journey.

Regina (HPC)

Sdu (Now AIA staff) on Golgatha

My greatest challenge was just being reminded of how much pride I have. Pride in my experiences and knowledge and in the way that I took correction personally. This proved to give me even more challenges in the tour that came right after. But for now I felt God was really revealing this as a spot where I needed refinement and that is what I got. 

April Update

Also Shorty Graduated!!!

Hey everyone! Thank you for your continued support! I still love being here in South Africa! God is so faithful as I continue to work to serve him here. I wanted to let you guys know that I have been accepted to my program at the University of Alberta, so will be studying for my Masters when I get home in August after a few days back in Calgary. I am also excited to be meeting up with my brother in Hong Kong on my way home from South Africa. We are going to spend some time in China and the Philippines. But back to South Africa.



We are heading into overdrive to plan this tour for Trinity Western University. Please pray for God to lead the plans and direct the work He wants done. Not all of the girls are Christians so please pray that we will be a witness to the team as they reach the girls here in South Africa! Also please pray that God will help us to arrange at least one game against Banyana Banyana. Please pray that God will lead us in which opportunities to use the team in. They are here May 2^nd to May 15^th.



On the exciting news side I am encouraged to hear that Rachel and Kaylin have started a bible study together at camp! Joining them was SA’s top U20 striker Jermaine, Nomvula and Caitlin.  Please pray that God will lead them through the Holy Spirit. That they will come to know Him more intimately and will understand what they read. And praise God for the exciting step of faith that Rachel took to lead this! The U20s have the second leg of their qualifier against Ghana on Saturday they are down in the series and I hope the girls will find a way to play with freedom, passion and joy!

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to go to a young adults camp. It was a great weekend filled with a lot of free time and sports and also some good teaching. While there I met a guy named Sean who used to be a top level squash player. Well in the middle of his career he ended up having his knee completely destroyed in a bad injury. The doctors said he would never walk. Well I met Sean on the soccer field... haha... He has an amazing story and a passion to get involved with ministry. I am not sure what God’s plans are for using him, but I am excited to find out. It is amazing how God brings people together and how the world would say it is by chance. But I am not a strong believer in coincidence.

The Family: Shorty, Big Mama and Me!!!

As far as my own personal time with God has been going it has been a bit up and down. I have really struggled to stay focused and be disciplined in my quiet times. I have learned a lot about God’s sovereignty lately and just the importance of holding everything besides Him with an open palm. Not sure if that makes sense. It is much easier to trust and to give the things he asked for that way... if you just appreciate what you have instead of holding on to it for dear life. Parts of my struggles lately have also come from being sick more often than normal. It makes it difficult to stay focused on the things I need to do and topping that with some crazy weeks I am starting to have a few opportunities for more normalcy.

I also had the chance to go see the Phantom of the Opera performed by a completely South Africa cast. It was a brilliant show and a fun opportunity to get all dressed up and go out!

Lastly next weekend is our Ultimate Training Camp. If you remember one of my first posts from a year ago I reflect back on my own experiences at Canada’s National training camp. I am excited to see what God has planned for our athletes and hope to have some great stories to share with you. It looks like a few of the HPC girls want to come including Kaylin, Nelly, Regina, Nomvula and Rachel. Along with Maestro, Pretty, Anna, Cindy and Shorty from the TUKS side. Please pray that these girls will be able to come and that we will be able to supply the necessary funds to support them and bring them there... As well as permission from the younger girls parents. Just to finish I wanted to share this article about the impact UTC has had on a current NHL hockey player.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/faith-gives-canucks-booth-a-boost/article2396613/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=Referrer%3A+Social+Network+%2F+Media&utm_content=2396613&utm_campaign=Shared+Web+Article+Links

 Hope you are all doing well and I send my love to you all. I just wanted to post a congratulations to my Uncle Alan and soon to be Auntie Tammie!! Wish I could be there to celebrate with you!! 

February 2012

Shinoba Stadium in Daveyton

With Sdu!!

So... I think that I mentioned in the last blog that I had some news. And if for some reason I didn’t... guess what? I have some exciting news!! Two of our athletes, one in Pretoria and one in Johannesburg are joining us as interns in the coming year, Sduduze and Simphiwe (Shorty).  I am going to post their stories or maybe they will share them with you soon. I also had the chance to attend Shorty’s baptism a short while ago. It is exciting to see her make that public declaration to confirm the day she gave her life to Christ’s leading.  Sdu and Shorty were the spiritual leaders for the South African team at the FISU games. It has been so encouraging for us as an AIA team to see the desire to make Christ and prayer a part of their National Teams. For some it is as simple as saying the Lord’s Prayer before games and meals, for others it is more dynamic prayer and even bible studies.

On another note it is official that Trinity Western University’s Women’s Soccer Team will be joining us May 2-15. Their flights are booked. Please pray for wisdom in how to best use them. We will also be going to Bulembu in Swaziland. I am very excited about that. Please pray for wisdom as to some of the girls we should bring with the girls, to minister to the team, or to be ministered to.

Shorty's Baptism!! Video to Follow

So... The other thing you may be wondering is what does it look like to be a tutor with a National Soccer Team... haha. First off I just want to confirm once again my thankfulness to God for opening this door. It is nothing that I have done and not because I am particularly gifted. God is blessing your prayers, my prayers and the prayers of the AIA staff that have been dedicated to the girls and the ministry for years. So a day. Well I am currently in a hotel room in Polokwane which is about 4 hours north of Pretoria. And can I say that it is HOT, which needless to say, makes me very happy.

Botswana U20 Team

South Africa U20 Team. Back Row (L-R): Meagen, Jermaine, Promise, Kaylin, Regina, Lebo. Front Row: Robyn, Rachel, Chris, Nomvula, Tsegofatso

My days consist of a tutoring session in the morning. Where the girls work on their studies and I answer questions and help fill in the gaps of the information they have missed due to not being at school. After that they go to training. And I decide if I want to go to training with them and watch, or if we are not away like we are this week I may return to Pretoria for a workout and some discipleship time with Shorty.  The coach at the U20 camp has said that if I bring my boots next time he will let me get involved with some of the coaching/training which is very exciting! In the evenings I eat dinner with the coaching staff, tutor again for an hour or two (depending on the night and the training load) then head up to my room for the night.  This last camp concluded with the second leg of their qualifier against Botswana which they won 3-1. Both teams are up against Ghana next so please be praying for them to be able to play their best and for the coaches to be wise with the training and line ups and players.

Kaylin!!!

Warm Up

 The past few nights at the U20 camp I have been blessed to begin a bit of a bible study with Rachel and Nomvula. We are working through John together. In their culture a lot of the understanding around Christianity revolves around cleansing and sacrifice and works. So it was great to be able to share in John when Jesus says all those who believe in me... not believe in me and obey my commands... or believe in me and perform these rituals. No John 3:16 states that for God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. This reality changes everything!!! It changes the way we live, it changes our motivation and our desires for our life.


So far I have finished 3 weeks of camp with the girls, two U20 and one U17. It has been tiring but I definitely believe that God is moving in the midst of them. Another reason I think this is true is that a lot of challenges are popping up with my home and technology. My cars clutch able snapped... and leading up to that a lot of damage was done to my clutch because it was not working properly. So I have to replace that as well.  My computer battery is telling me it is no longer happy being a part of my computer ,also my water is not working so well and I have been having some challenges with one of my close friends here. It is so comforting to know that in the midst of all of this God is sovereign and fully in control.

Granny and Carol at the game

Vuvuzela!!

The last two exciting things going on (sorry this is so long... but I am trying to get caught up and then will post a bit more frequently to save your reading muscles. ) I have my application to U of A fully submitted and will hear sometime soon about if I get in or not. So that is a burden to not worry about anymore. Also I am hoping to recruit one or two of the South African players to my school. But that will depend on the coach. So please keep that possibility in your prayers.

Poulang

Shenell

Some of the HPC girls

Granny wasn't so keen on this photo

Thembi

Line out

Scrum

Lastly yesterday I was blessed to have two girls, Elie and Erica, from Michigan State University up in Pretoria to spend the day just connecting with some of my girls. They definitely got a real taste of ministry and its challenges here in South Africa. The majority of our meetings and plans didn’t turn out as expected. But we were able to have a great chance to connect and encourage each other and I was able to help Erica with her testimony. In the midst of this rough time they were just a blessing to me. We had a good time of fellowship with Shorty and with Rachel. Spent a long time talking with Kaylin and I got to hear a bit more of the influence from the Plett Outreach on her life.

Me, Erica and Elie at their first Rugby match

She went from struggling to pray to God to being able to freely just talk to Him. It is awesome!! We also hosted a team meeting with the TUKs girls. I forgot how much I love being around them. Erica shared her story with the girls and Elie shared a bit about AIA and why they were there. The girls asked some questions and were keenly interested in the time. I was able to leave them with an invitation to connect with Shorty or I if they want to know more about where God fits in with their sport and just to pray over the team. It was a very positive time and I think it will prove to be a boost for me personally and for the ministry here in Pretoria.  And they also got to witness some rugby which was a great experience for them both!! And I loved being able to share it with them :)

Carol and Rachel

I pray that God continues to move in your hearts and minds. Growing you closer in understanding of who He is and the depths of His love for you!! Love you and miss you,

Rachel

Union Building at night

Just a short update... more to follow!

Hey guys,
I am sorry for taking so long to write. It was pretty hectic around here and then I got a little bit sick. But here is a quick update. As for the decisions I was wrestling with last post I have decided to come home in July and start my Master's in September. I will share more about that soon. God has opened a huge door as I am being employed by SAFA (South African Football Association) to tutor the U20 National team girls at camp. I am spending the week staying in the same hotel and having some time to connect with them. I am also getting a chance to really connect with some of the coaching and support staff at meals. Please pray that God will give me wisdom and discernment in my interactions. And boldness to be intentional with those I am in contact with. This is very exciting open door and I don't want to step to hard and have it close, but I also don't want to leave without sharing Christ with the girls. I know that helping them with their studies does a lot for these girls and their confidence. But I also want to see change with their hearts. I also have a bit more exciting news. But I will put that in the next update. Love you all and miss you!!
Rachel

December at a Glance

Our 2011 Plett Team minus Auntie Hazel

The view of Central Beach from the Deck

I have had a difficult time writing this blog so far. So I apologize for the delay. I think a lot went on in December and a lot of questions have arisen and it is difficult to get it all into words. I think that too much time with yourself can be a dangerous thing. I have currently started a time of prayer and fasting to find some clarity and some answers to some of these struggles. The stress of feeling such a weight from these decisions left me pretty despondent which is why I haven’t written. On the plus side I am feeling much better after a few days of focus and some conversations with family and friends.

Some of our daily visitors Michael and Francois

Kaylin and I

That being said the month of December was an amazing time for me. Our Plettenberg Bay outreach mission was amazing. Having Kaylin along was huge for our relationship and it was so cool to see her grow in her quiet times and in the way she was willing to connect with some of the local youth. She was only able to stay for a short while but in that time God definitely moved in her life. I am also excited to say that despite a rough past year at the HPC she will be returning to complete her Metric (Grade 12) education in Pretoria at the HPC. I am excited to see what God has planned for our time together. I will give you her reflections from the trip when she has fully processed and gives it to me.

Dan, Me, Kirsten, Kassidy and Brad

Sharing my testimony on the beach

The common thread between what everyone said about our team, the girls that I connected with were no exception, (the ones that stand out most are Kirsten and Sam) was the unity and acceptance within our team. I truly felt like I was with family. That is what always amazes me about the body of Christ. When it is working how it should be focused on Christ’s glory there is no need for fights, tension, selfishness, instead the team is just working and serving out of His love. And even for people outside of our team they kept saying how they felt more loved and accepted in our group then they felt with their own friends. John 13: 34- 35 says: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” This was very apparent within our team and God used it to multiply our witness.

Mae sharing her testimony. I am so proud of the steps she took following God to share more of her story than she has ever done. 

KB, Mae, Missy and I 

The trip had a double blessing because I got paired up with one of the girls, Mae, as my prayer partner. We hit it off right away and it was such a blessing to have someone to share with and grow with and be challenged with during the trip. But even more than just during the trip is the bond we are continuing after. She gave me a verse: Psalm 45:11 and it is one that has definitely impacted my views on how God sees me. It has encouraged and blessed me daily to be reminded that God is enthralled with me and that I am called to honour Him. And even more important is the verse before that talks about how the girl should leave her father, her mother and her people to be with the one who loves and cares for her, serving and honouring the king. Currently I feel like I have taken that step, even if it is temporary, but it will carry into the rest of my life no matter where I end up. It is very comforting to see confirmation of this sacrifice in the word.

It was hard saying goodbye to the team and leaving the daily routine of heading to the beach, playing soccer and volleyball and just getting the opportunity to converse with the locals and visitors and knowing that you are planting seeds for their eternity. But I was blessed with the chance to stay in Plett for an extended visit and to spend Christmas with my friend Kyle and his family. This was a chance to be refreshed and renewed. I had some great quiet times and learning from God even more. It was great to have a chance to play with his nieces and nephews and to be a part of building into`his oldest neice Demi spiritually and just share an older girls perspective on things. His family was so kind and really made me feel so welcome. Christmas was still hard without my family there, but I was lucky enough to get to chat with them on the phone.

Kyle on our hike

I loved the chance to hike in the Knysna forest and just get a few more days at the beach, enjoying the chance to be around people. After Plett we went to Cape Town for a couple of days and staying with Kyle and his parents at his uncle’s home. The coast is absolutely beautiful and definitely good for the soul to be surrounded by God’s creation. We drove straight through from Cape Town home to PTA which was quite the drive, but highlighted much of the diversity in buildings and landscapes that South Africa has to offer. It was also an opportunity to have some good conversations and reminded me how blessed I am to have the friendships that I am making here.

Coming home was hard. All of my girls were at their homes all over the country, my team wasn’t training. My roommate is still back in the states and the couple that was house sitting upstairs was away on holiday. To top it all off I couldn’t figure out how to get the car I am buying from my friend Missy to start. Oh, that’s one of the other reasons I have been struggling is I lost one of my closest friends because she has returned home to the US. Normally we could fill this down time together so instead I was left with too much alone time. But God is faithful and as I have been going through this past week He has reminded me of why I am here and his purposes for me. I have been filling out my application for my Master’s program and have been praying for wisdom as to whether I should ask if I can start in January and stay until December or go home in July and start in August. I am leaning towards this option but it would be better for the girls if I can stay a little longer so I am praying hard about that. Also just praying for guidance in how to best handle my months here, what would be the most effective use of my time and ministry.

The ice cream owner that opened the shop back up for us

Please keep Rachel Sebati in your prayers. She just graduated and will be heading to the US for college in the fall but there is a lot to do and we need wisdom in how we can best support her and get her ready to go. Also we are looking for ways to use her in our ministry with the girls. Also please just pray for some added safety as there have been a number of break-ins in our area. Targeting places that look like they are still away mind you, but your prayers are appreciated. I will work to keep you more closely updated as things begin to move forward with our ministry here. Love you guys tons and thank you for your prayers and support!