Turning up the heat
Author’s note: This is lengthy. If you are simply curious what I am doing after this adventure, scroll to the “What’s next?” section at the end. Be warned you may be unsatisfied…
I know many of y’all may think I am lucky for continuing to dodge winter, but the heat wave we experienced over the past two weeks was brutal! As trite as it may sound, the incessant heat really made everything feel more difficult. I felt validated by my South African friends saying it was rough. Everyone is thankful Durban’s fever finally broke!
Thank you!
Before writing anything else, I want to say thank you for your generosity! In one week, 38 individuals/families contributed $1,920 to bless Durban. Y’all never cease to amaze me. On Monday, I ordered 50 study Bibles, and I plan to pick them up this weekend for distribution during our next visit to the rehab center on Tuesday. What a gift!
Because of your generosity, we were also able to support one of the local staff families who had a critical financial need arise suddenly. During our prayer meeting last Thursday, I was in a group of three with the mother. She shared the story and asked the two of us to pray that God would provide the funds within 21 days to meet a deadline. I quickly crunched the numbers in my head while our other group member prayed,1 and I realized we had just enough to cover the expense. When we stopped praying, I told the mother, “I have the money for you. The Lord has already provided!” She was *totally* shocked and overjoyed.
Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” and I truly believe it. I feel so privileged to partner with God and with you to meet people’s needs with generosity!
Recap – Weeks 4–6
Ministry
I am very thankful for the YWAM Durban staff who have coordinated our schedule! We are operating at a sustainable pace and with all kinds of people, thanks to the strong relationships built by the local team. I am very motivated by connection, so I appreciate that we have served weekly alongside several organizations from the very beginning.
YWAM Durban (Mon/Thu) — We spend the mornings worshipping and praying with the local staff before working on the prayer room renovation. I love blessing this team who has become so dear to us. I have also gained or honed several unexpected skills, such as painting (cutting edges) and concrete (mixing, compacting, and leveling). I feel so marketable!
Rehab center (Tue) — Tuesday is typically my favorite day of the week. The residents are so open that meaningful conversation and friendship is almost inevitable. I am very excited to give them Bibles this week!
Orphanage (Wed) — I wish I could share photos of these incredible kids. Wednesday afternoons are a chance for our team to channel our inner children with endless singing, dancing, games, Bible stories, and hugs.
In addition to our weekly ministries, we have also served in a number of other capacities:
Ministering to the homeless in shelters and on the streets — passing out sandwiches, praying, sharing the good news of Jesus
Serving diverse local churches — preaching, sharing testimonies, performing a drama,2 praying, spending time with teenagers, going door-to-door to pray and engage in spiritual conversations
Painting at LIV Village
Helping lead an English reading club for Zulu students
The variety has far exceeded my expectations. So grateful!
Below, I have included a handful of photos, though I wish I could include more! As an organization, we refrain from taking photos in most ministry settings. Our motivation is genuine care, and we do not want ourselves or others to be distracted. Likewise, for safety reasons, we never post photos where children could be identified.
Personal/Team
Here are a quick hits about the past few weeks:
I love making a 6X batch of pancakes (from scratch!) for the team each week.
Two of our school leaders, Ari and Marjo, traveled from Finland to spend a week with us. The sole purpose of their visit was to encourage us and provide support. Mission accomplished. It was so wonderful to have them in Durban!
These weeks have been emotionally intense for our team, and I am so proud of how we have chosen the path of humility and vulnerability. During a lengthy dialogue, a friend told the team, “I need more love from you.” I have never heard someone communicate more vulnerably. We are functioning more like a family than ever because of this painful, beautiful process. Praise God for leading us!
One of my closest teammates was granted only a 30-day visa because of her South Korean passport. She recently flew to Germany to join another team for the second half of our outreach phase. I am so sad she is gone, but I named her the Ambassador of Joy to that team and the Ukrainian refugees they are serving.
If I have counted correctly, the local YWAM Durban team consists of 17 staffers, 10 of whom live with us at the base. The entire team has welcomed us with open arms since day one, and we have grown very close with many of them. Personally, I will be leaving behind one especially dear friend in Durban. Surprise friendships are the best, but it will also make saying goodbye that much harder. Still worth it!
Just for fun
Our team has made the most of our weekly off day (usually Saturday). Since the safari, we have attended a Durban Sharks rugby match and gone hiking twice. Unlike ministry, our team takes *tons* of pictures during our weekend adventures, which explains the photographic imbalance.
Last Saturday, half of our team plus a few of the YWAM Durban staff left the base at 4:30 a.m. to drive three hours to the Drakensberg, the largest mountain range in southern Africa. I nearly cried as the mountains came into view, overwhelmed by how God has led me to this point in life. I can hardly believe it. Our group spent the morning hiking the Sphinx Trail up to Monk’s Cowl. The views were breathtaking!
What’s next?
We just wrapped up week six of eight total weeks of ministry. Next weekend (February 3–5), we will drive to remote villages in the mountainous country of Lesotho to encourage and minister to rural churches. When we return to Durban, we will have one final week of ministry before our three-day team debrief. We fly out on Friday, Feb. 17 and will meet the other four teams from our school in Orlando. I have been looking forward to this family reunion since we split up in Kona. I can’t wait to hear what God is doing around the world!
You may be curious what I am doing after our school officially concludes. Well, so am I! Here’s what I know:
When I fly to Cincinnati (Friday, Feb. 24)
Who is picking me up
Where I am staying that night
I currently have *NO* plans beyond that. Some of you might break out in hives just hearing that, but I truly love the freedom! I am continuing to practice trusting God, which is how this whole adventure started in the first place.
“If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.” —Matthew 6:25–26
I will certainly keep you posted as my plans develop. I am so grateful for your support and prayers. All my love to you!
I don’t necessarily recommend this prayer strategy.
I will try to track down a video recording so I can share it with you. I specifically requested a role as a classroom bully, lol.
Lengthy , whaaaaat? I love hearing the details and how the Lord is moving in your life!! Moments that are priceless in eternity❤️ Continued prayers for blessing Bethany and safe travels home.
Bonnie
This has gone by so fast! Will be in Orlando Feb 20-26, perhaps we’ll catch each other!