Hello all!
It has been quite a long time since I have written a blog post but this is going to be the first of many. Why you may ask! Well.... I am moving BACK to South Africa! That's right! I have made the commitment to move to Stellenbosch, South Africa for five years! You may be thinking to yourself that I am crazy to do such a thing but I won't be alone. I am moving over to the great land of Africa with these crazy people...
Meet Casper and Ashley Steenkamp! Oh and ...
This crazy kid is comin along too! This is the one and only Zoe Grace!
Over two years ago I had the privilege of meeting Ashley at a retreat for long term missionaries. I remember her showing me pictures and telling me stories about South africa but little did I know that would be my future. It boggles my mind thinking about how all this happened because I NEVER thought I, Jennifer Lewis, of all people would be called to such a thing as long term mission work. At this point, when I first met Ashley, I was about to graduate college from ACU and I was having a monthly emotional freak out because I had NO CLUE what God was doing or where he was going to take me. Eventually he took me to South Africa for nine months where I immediately fell in love with African people. Have you ever heard someone say that Africa will get in your blood? Well, that is so true! There is something about ALL african people that you can't help but fall in love with them. I mean just look at these faces...
And these...
And these...
Goodness I love them! Anyways! :)
So, after spending nine months in this amazing place I realized it just wasn't near long enough. You might think nine months is a long time to be somewhere but when I was driving to the Cape Town airport to come back to Texas I realized it was not near long enough. At nine months I had just been making trustworthy relationships and then I had to leave? Nope! That didn't work for me.
Now I have been home almost a year and through much prayer and searching I made the leap and committed to moving back! :) I have said yes to the Lord and to what he is calling me to do! I am letting go of the fear that holds me back and stepping into His trusting arms. I am committing myself to making lasting discipleship relationships in South Africa. I commit myself to spreading the name of Jesus!
When I tell people about what I am doing and the move I am making many don't understand or get it. But honestly, neither do I! I feel so inadequate for such a task and completely unworthy. Over the past few months this insecurity has been paralyzing and has honestly freaked me out a tad. But... every time I feel afraid and unworthy the Lord reminds me of who he is! He reminds me that he loves to call the weak. When I think about that, I become so grateful because there is nothing left to do but to rely on His strength and not mine.
All of this being said... Please please please pray for team South Africa! We are planning to move in March 2014! Yes, 2014! That means we leave in less than five months people! WAH! :) Please also pray for the city of Stellenbosch and for South Africa as a whole! I don't know how or when but I have this crazy vision of the Holy Spirit washing over South Africa as a whole and being changed forever in the name of Jesus! Thank goodness the God I love is a God of the impossible! :)
And of course being a missionary I have to raise all my support over here in the awesome USA. Fortunately I do have a large portion of my funding but I am not there yet! So, if you are willing please pray and consider supporting me with a one time donation or monthly donation!
You can visit www.teamsouthafrica.org to find out how. :)
Thank you!
Be blessed! :)
And another picture for you just because I love it!
