Goodbye 2017, Hello 2018

Summer Camp
We ended the year in usual fashion with our end of year summer camps. We began with kids camp with 72 campers. Our theme for all of our camps this year has been ‘identity’ & has been a great topic for both teens & kids to think about who they are in Christ.  This year, we saw 8 kids place their trust in Christ.











This year at teen camp, in addition to serving on the worship team & as a lifeguard, I also had the privilege of serving as a Unit Leader which gave me the opportunity to be over a group of 5 female counselors in order to encourage them & come alongside them as they ministered to their campers. What a privilege to watch God work not only in the the camper’s lives, 50% of which were new to camp this year, but in the lives of each of these counselors as well, all of whom I’ve discipled to some extent over the last few years. I am so grateful to have been able to see the Lord use each of them to turn hearts towards him as they themselves grew in deeper dependence on God. The Lord never ceases to work & I can’t wait to see how he continues to use each of these young ladies as they continue serving him. One of my favorite parts of camp is watching the cardboard testimonies on the last day when campers share what they were like before camp & how the Lord has changed them while being at camp. Pictured below is Shona, a young lady from my church who I am discipling this year. This was her first year at camp and God did some big things. She went from being “despondent” to “revived” in her relationship with God.






Life Update
After returning to South Africa in June, I began dating Thato Sathige, a fellow missionary with WOLZA & friend since the beginning of my time here. This Christmas, the Lord provided for us both to visit my family for the holidays & amidst the sweet time together, Thato & I got engaged. I didn’t come to South Africa intending to find a husband but in the Lord’s grace, he provided anyway. We are both very grateful for how the Lord has grown our friendship over the last few years into what it is today. We look forward to continuing to serve the Lord together in our marriage & would appreciate your prayers along the way as we begin this new journey.




Praise:
-38 saved on Olympian Games Day
-8 saved at kids camp
-4 saved & 123 rededications at teen camp

Prayer:
-planning for the busy year of ministry ahead
-Leaders Kickoff training day (Jan 27)
-Rock for Life Camp Mozambique (March 22-Apr 1)
-That Thato & I would honor the Lord during our engagement, wedding planning & marriage
-ongoing discipleship relationships

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