Summary from my South Africa trip (IMPACT SA 2012)

South Africa, ah man, where do I begin?

There is simply so much to say. So I’ll try to break this up into something readable.

(Also, for my IMPACT team, I’m definitely including a part just for you that only you’ll understand)

First of all, a little explanation of what we did while in Africa. Well, more or less, the first half of the trip (also known as: internship and yes, we were interns) was training. We trained in all sorts of things such as how to use sports as a Biblical based training system, how to use sports to teach life skills (Ubabalo training), training on how to share the Gospel or our testimonies in a very small time window (even in 4 sentences or less in one instance), and how to lead games for kids (note: games not sports) to instill teamwork, communication, and also, pure fun. We also had a lot of training for ourselves. We did a lot on how to handle the Bible (hear, read, study, meditate, memorize), what Africa needed from us, and overall just how to be a better person and Disciple of Jesus Christ (which I now refer to myself as, not as a Christian, ask a bout that if you’d like.) The second half of the trip was mostly about outreaches. Granted, we did a few small outreaches here and there during the first half but the second half was set-aside specifically for that.

Now the second half! We spent most of our days going to a place called Kuyasa (spelling may be wrong) in the township Kayamundi (again, spelling). This place is more or less a shelter for the local kids where they can get a hot meal daily, play, and learn. Gosh those kids were precious. We would help feed them and clean up after, play soccer or other games with them, sing songs about Jesus, or, what I found myself doing the most, running as fast as I can with at least 8 of them on my heels the entire time. We also got to go to a local church for their youth group meeting one night…lets just say that it was AWESOME. Their worship was awesome and we got to lead discussion with everyone, and it was awesome to be able to connect with people miles, countries, continents and cultures away. We also got to do this very cool “sports day” sort of thing for another township where a few of our mission brothers were doing some good works. We led all sorts of games, dances, and all kinds of silliness. We even got to finish off the day by playing soccer against the kids, who were REALLY good. One of the most rewarding things we got to do, though, was the FCA camp we got to run. We had a bunch of kids come stay with us for about 4 days or so. We split them up into 4 teams and had them competing against each other, but also learning together. It was an absolutely amazing experience, and those kids were amazing. Also, a large number of the kids that week were saved which was so cool. We were very blessed that week.

Next, for pure pleasure sake, I’ll touch on some tourist points. Cape Town is the largest tourist city in all of Africa, so it’s safe to say that there was plenty to do. (Side note: we actually stayed in the town of Stellenbosch, which is about 20 km from Cape Town. Stellenbosch itself has a nice little trait of its own, in that it is the 2^nd largest provider of wine in the world if I remember correctly, and we got to tour quite a few of the vineyards and wine farms (no sampling though, which is understood why.) One vineyard in particular was ridiculously beautiful and had an awesome little bakery/ice cream shop, its called Asara Vineyard if you’re planning on visiting SA, go there or look it up online. We also got to go to a Junior World Cup Rugby game where New Zealand played Wales, which was awesome for 2 reasons, we got to see a “haka” (a NZ tribal warrior dance) which I’ve loved for years and got to see in person, and 2, Wales beat New Zealand which was the first time they ever lost. (Side note: I love rugby now and I also had the best chicken sandwich of my life there). Ok, back to Cape Town. In Cape Town we got to climb/hike 2 of the mountains there, Lion’s Head and Table Mountain. Lion’s Head was pretty cool because we were able to participate in a local tradition of climbing up at sunset, and then climbing back down in the light of the full moon. Also, did I mention that Ethan and I had a lightsaber fight on the top of the mountain? Cause that was awesome! Table Mountain was also quite cool because, well, it’s literally flat on top, like a table.  Both of the mountains provided breathtaking views of the city and landscape. Easily my favorite part however was the trip we took to Boulder Beach where we got to see WILD PENGUINS! Those are my favorite animal, so its easy to see why this was my favorite tourist attraction, even got super close to them!  We also got to go to one of the 2 waterfronts a couple of times where we got to go to an aquarium, a mall filled with stores I’ve only seen on TV (Gucci, Prada, etc.), and restaurants that were amazing. (Also, if you love cars like I do, I saw an Aston Martin dealership and therefore I drooled) One of my favorite places out of all that we went to though was the Cape of Good Hope, the southern most tip of Africa. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. There was more than one beautiful lighthouses which I love, and a nice little cove to swim in where the Indian and Atlantic oceans mixed, which was cool to look at because you could see the 2 colors of each ocean merging into one area. Totally swam in it, no big. I also ate a boiled goat’s eye…no big deal.

Lastly, and most importantly, what God did in South Africa. Man, did He do a lot! There wasn’t a day that passed that His presence wasn’t felt. All 34 of us present can easily agree to that fact. He revealed His self through prayer, and the things we experienced. His mercy and His grace was bestowed to us all in so many ways. We saw the lives of kids changed, and our own lives changed for that matter. He more or less taught me what was my purpose was and gave me even more passion for that vision, and aided many others who were there on that task. Also, in regards to spending time with Him, its at an all time high and I’m stoked on that fact.  His word flows through me stronger than ever before, and I plan on keeping it that way. I also learned a lot about relating to others and how to be forward and intentional without being too much when it comes to sharing His name, so I’m excited about that. Sorry, but the rest of all that He taught me is for me alone ;)

And for my IMPACT team:
I don't care if you're an I, S, C, or a D, I will validate you and advocate for you any day. I hope I'm at your table of influence and you are at mine. You are all servants and I love you all, even when we may be storming. I'm going to be relying on you guys seeing as I'm a planter, I need you guys as my team-workers and such. Solitude and Stress will always be near and dear to me since I felt so much closer to you through them. Mambo Sawa Sawa!

Safe to say, IMPACT South Africa 2012 will always remain near and dear to my heart, and all those involved will be some of my closest friends forever, and all that God taught me will be used throughout my whole life.