Pretoria - The City of Contrasts

We are now in Mamelodi, Pretoria, South Africa! Tomorrow we begin a four day long children's holiday club for the kids from Aids Hope (a ministry of OM South Africa). We've been here a couple of days already, when we first arrived we had a few days off to visit a game park and saw lots of animals! It was great!

This country is full of crazy contrast! The western world mixed with the poverty of Africa. It is really bizarre. As we drove into Mamelodi on our first day, we drove down a road that had normal houses on one side and a slum on the other!! Really insane. The gap between the rich and the poor is just so obvious here! It's a strange place to be, and not sure exactly what our response should be. But looking forward to this week and learning more about the culture and what God is doing here. Please continue to pray for us :)

Be Still

“Be still, and know that I am God" Ps 46:10

I've been blown away by God's sovereignty while on this trip. He is in control and he knows what he's doing. It's amazing. Hard to describe. But truly incredible. Thanks God.

Reflections From Zambia

Hi all, sorry we haven't really managed to update our blog at all while we've been here! There was no internet access where we were in Zambia so we couldn't write, plus our programme there was non-stop so we probably wouldn't have had much time to write anyway!! But I have some time now, so here are some of my thoughts from our time there.

I loved Zambia! It was great to be back in Africa! The hospitality we were shown, the people we met and all we saw God doing there was mind-blowing!

We spent 11 days at the OM Base in Kabwe (about 2 hours from the Captial, Lusaka). While we were there we visited and saw a lot of the ministries that OM runs or partners with. These included hospital ministry, disabled ministry, deaf cell group, Makwati church (a church in a nearby village that OM planted during the 2010 soccer world cup), sports ministry and more!

Everyone had different highlights, but some of mine were these....

Firstly, working in partnership with OM. Seeing how the organisation works and what they do! I was really impressed with how well organised they were. How they saw needs in the community and then responded to those. Their heart was to see people saved and they were doing everything they could to see that happen!
I also really enjoyed getting to know the OM staff and hearing their stories and what they do. I was encouraged by how faithful to God's calling they each were, and how they continued to live by faith as missionaries at OM.
While I was with OM I was really challenged about my life and ministry back home in NZ. About how much more we could be doing, and how so much of what OM is doing here needs to be done at home! Of course it might look different in the NZ context, but I do think the whole church of NZ should be reaching out a whole lot more than they currently are!
My heart broke the most for NZ while I was in the hospital in Kabwe. There we went bed to bed talking to patients about the gospel, and praying with them. They were all so excited to have us visit and so open to talk about God. We even got to see someone come to know Jesus while we were there too! Which was amazing! But afterwards as I was reflecting on the people back in NZ and how closed off to the gospel in comparison...my heart just yearned to see the people of NZ have the same hunger and openess to the gospel as we saw there.

Music was a huge part of our ministry in Kabwe too! Each morning we joined with the OM staff in devotions. We lead the worship as well as different team members taking the bible study each day. I think we all enjoyed joining in lively worship with the Zambians! We taught them some of our songs, and we've learnt quite a few Bemba songs we will share with you once we are back!

We also experienced real Africa for a few days! We had no power or water for a couple of nights. Which was trying, but it was a blessing because it meant that we got to experience what life was really like for the people in Zambia. My favourite moment was one night...we were all in the common room at OM with rain, thunder and lightning outside. Then the power suddenly went out...but everyone was just singing and worshipping God! Amazing vibes. I love Zambia!

Another time we were in the supermarket when the power went out! Crazy experience, but God was good to us and allowed us to get everything we needed despite the power outtage!

There is so much more to say, but maybe some of the others can share from their side.
Biggest thanks to all those who have been praying for us. God truly worked in and through us while we were there and I don't think we'll be coming home the same!

A long way from home

There is a buzz of excitement among the team tonight! We arrived in Johannesburg this evening, after about travelling for about 36 hours...a long journey! But all our flights went smoothly, with no issues at all. Some managed to sleep on the plane...others didn't really, but enjoyed the movies! When we finally got to Jo'burg we checked into our guest lodge for the evening, and had a superb dinner - most of us couldn't even finish our food! We are all quite tired, and most have taken themselves off for an early night's sleep.

The whole journey here I have just felt a real peace about this trip. God is with us, he goes before us and I am excited for what is in store!

Tomorrow morning we fly to Zambia for 2 weeks ministry. I am looking forward to seeing the country, meeting the people and seeing what God is doing there! Can't wait!

Preparation

Yay my first entry in the blog! :)

I have to say the excitement is kicking in during these final days leading up to take off. I'm quite nervous at the same time because it's my first time on a Missions trip. I really look forward to every aspect of it though, ranging from the spiritual growth, the service, cultural experience to the food. I'm really passionate about working with children so it's a privilege for me to be a part of the undoubtedly refreshing experience that God is preparing us for.

I think the fact that we have such a fabulous team makes it so much easier to tackle any challenges that we face. I've had soo much fun practicing for the programme so far! Can't wait to see how God continues to work in us when we get there! I can hardly sleep nowadays!

The team building day was a unique experience of its own. We discovered how well we worked as a team and how to improve the bits and bobs here and there. Other than the team building activities, the personality test was awesome! Regardless of our unique differences, any time spent with this crew is a good time!

The commissioning service was a good public start for us I reckon, just to get used to being in front of everyone. I still can't get over the amount of love and support we have from everyone, it's really encouraging! I guess it's only because we have such an awesome church family.

Time to pick up the pace with the packing. It feels so real now, I think that's what's making me so anxious. 4 sleeps to go and Africa, here we come! :)

Sharon

Pre-trip thoughts

New to this whole blogging thing - so I'll see how it goes! (The offer of a prize for being the first member to blog, other than Emily, was too much for me to resist.)

So yeah, I am extremely excited! I never thought that I would be able to go back to Africa this soon after my time over there last year. It is going to be going just that much better such an awesome group of people with some great plans and ideas.

The commissioning on Sunday was really good, and it was so encouraging and empowering to realize that we will have so much support by our Church community while we are over there. And if there is one thing Africa taught me last year when I went is that prayer power really does count!

So yeah, that is pretty much me at the moment - just so excited to show the rest of the team that haven't been to Africa before how incredible it is and how God is transforming Africa into one of the most exiting places to be in the world :)

Tom

Commissioning

This morning the team was commissioned by our Church to go on this trip to Africa! We shared some of what we will be doing, and then they prayed for us and sent us out!

It's great knowing we go with such strong support from our church family (as well as our other friends and family) back home! We appreciate all the prayers and support you have given us over the last few months as we have been preparing. Seriously, we have been blown away by your financial donations, your attendance at our fundraising events, and your prayers! Thank you so much!

We ask that you continue to remember us this week as we make our final preparations...when we fly out on Friday, and of course during the 3 weeks we are in Africa.

5 sleeps to go! I better start packing!

Team Training Day

Last weekend the team had the privilege of having Brian & Melanie Stark from International Teams NZ, come and spend their Saturday with us! We spent the day out at Big Bay. The sun was out and we had a gorgeous spot just a step away from the beach! (many thanks to the Ocklestons for letting us use their place.)

The day was focused on team-building, so Brian & Mel lead us in a number of activities that forced us to work together! In the first - we had to get all 10 of our team members across the 'burning lava pit' using only 9 blocks of wood. The catch? A part of a team members body had to be touching the wood pieces at all times, otherwise it would burn up in the hot lava!

In the second, we had to carry a ball on top a piece of plastic pipe without it dropping from the beach into the living room, using 16 strings coming out of the pipe & everyone holding one of the strings. (Kinda hard to explain...check out the picture at the top!)

Then when we sat down to lunch, there was also a catch! Both our hands were tied to the person next to us...It made for a much more difficult meal!

But through all three activities, we learnt huge lessons about working together, listening to one another, and lots of other things we will be able to put into practice while on this mission trip, as Brian & Mel debriefed with us.

In the afternoon Brian made us each do a personality test! We found out why some of the team love to talk...they're otters, why some tend to be super organised...beavers, and why some like to retreat to sleep...golden retrievers :) It was really interesting and lots of fun! But it was also a great insight into each member of the team and what we can expect from them on this trip.

Also throughout the day, we heard testimonies from each of the team members, we spent some time reading God's word and praying for one another.

It was a really fun day! And if it's anything to go by, I think we have a fun few weeks in store for us on this trip!

The Team

From left to right: Janice Aish, Ethan Oldale, Emily McKechnie (co-leader), Gershon Cadelis, Sharon Yella, Rufus Luther (co-leader), Anoosh Franklin, James Durrans and Abigail Masters. Also Rebekah Durrans & Thomas Masters (not pictured).

The Trip

St Margaret’s is sending a team of 11 to Zambia and South Africa with OM, from 2nd-24th December this year.
In Zambia we will be based in Kawbe (2 hours from Lusaka) and will be involved in ministry and outreach opportunities including: visiting the disabled & the local hospital, sports ministry, helping with a building project, evangelism and children’s ministry.
In South Africa we will be running a week long children’s programme in Mamelodi (just out of Johannesberg) for children at AIDS Hope.
You can support us in prayer and fundraising. And you can follow us on this journey here as we reflect on what we are doing/learning/experiencing.