Alrighty, we have arrived in South Africa and have (mostly) adjusted to the new place! Thank you for all the safe travel prayers. I appreciate and love you all. Our travel days were quite exhausting. We flew out of Atlanta, GA on Tuesday (9/12) where our first of four flights started. We then flew to New York and had a five hour layover before our 14 hour flight to Abu Dhabi. Not long after arriving in Abu Dhabi, we lost a phone which definitely picked up the heart rate, but PRAISE GOD we found it! Next, we flew 8 hours to Johannesburg where we started running into some issues. Somehow, half of our teams tickets were cancelled for the flight from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth. So, we had to switch up our plans and fly separate flights to Port Elizabeth. This ended up working out great though because my luggage got lost on this leg of the trip and the other half of the team was arriving a couple hours after us. So, once again PRAISE GOD my luggage made it with the rest of the team. Though these long couple days of travel were exhausting at times, it was sweet time to unwind and just be with the Lord. Something I’m continually trying to learn is how to see Him in absolutely everything I do and experience. I think this travel time with these new, amazing, God-loving friends was great encouragement to seeing our Creator in everything we were doing!
Here are some fun pics of the travel days…
In the Abu Dhabi airport!
In air above SA!
Arriving in Jeffreys Bay, we were blessed with a warm welcome from some of the people who work for the Global Leadership Academy (GLA). This is the school whose campus we are staying on. And we’ve been blessed with a beautiful mission house where our group is staying. The people are so kind and our two main ministry hosts are named Wendy and Anita (sounds familiar huh? Haha). They are the moms of the house and they are so sweet. We’ve spent the most time with Wendy and it has been beautiful getting to know her and so special to hear about her testimony. I’m getting really excited about all the relationships that will form on this trip!
I will be working at a non-profit organization that helps families with kids with cerebral palsy. It’s called Timion and I’m excited to start meeting these people and serving them! I think it’s going to be an amazing experience and I’m excited for what the Lord has in store.
Through all the crazy travel and the first couple days in J-Bay… one thing continued to stand true. God provides! Not only the physical needs like the phone and the suitcase incident, but mental needs. In times of stress, He provides peace. In times of fear, He provides comfort. In times of anxiety, He provides love. In times of shame and guilt, He provides grace and mercy. And His provision is endless! Philippians 4:19 Let that sink in!
Much love,
Lilly
