Recap

Hey all,

I was prompted by my mom to finish up the blog and do a recap, so my apologies for leaving the blog so open ended for the last couple of weeks. I landed back in LA on Friday, July 23rd. There was definitely some culture shock upon returning. I had a nice big coffee drink in the Washington Dulles airport and that was totally a mistake. My stomach revolted against the sugary goodness. Ironically, the barista was South African, ha. It's taken almost the entire two weeks I've been back to get adjusted back to America. There is something in the food here (preservatives???) that just destroyed my stomach right when I got back. I still get a meal every once and a while that just gives me the worst stomach aches.

I have been confronted with this question a lot since landing, "what is the one highlight from South Africa?" One!? jeez, I was there for two months, can I give you one for every day cause I feel like there's that many awesome moments! Over the last couple weeks though I have been able to digest the impact of my trip enough to pull out some meaningful things to share:

1. The power of prayer. I don't think I've ever been involved with a ministry that was more committed to prayer. We constantly had all night prayer sessions and there were tons of teams doing 24 hour prayer movements for the whole duration of the World Cup. It was really awesome to see so many believers committed to committing our work to God! Was this ministry of prayer powerful? I met three ministries who had been praying against the sex trade in South Africa for a year prior to and for the whole duration of the World Cup. At the end of the Cup, CNN published an article reporting that the brothels in SA saw an 80% decrease in normal business during the month. They had been preparing for an increase in business, God is good.

2. God is mind-bottling, yes bottling, like when your mind gets trapped in a bottle. I met people from everywhere, from every walk of life and watched those particular people fit confusingly but perfectly into this HUGE movement that God orchestrated for the World Cup. I mean, I was there... an American raised on football and far more interested in rugby... leading soccer clinics for kids... yeah. It was a beautiful mess that only God could pull off, and I think he planned it that way so that the glory could go only to him.

3. Enjoy the small things. All my favorite moments are the small ones that God gave me the privilege of being a part of. When people ask for the best part about South Africa, I start to think of all the amazing little stories that I have to share. Raymond on the streets of Cape Town, the witch doctor family, etc. Sometimes we get so focused on the big picture, which isn't completely bad, we got to have that vision. But, it's important to rejoice and celebrate in the small moments. God puts us in them to enjoy watching us enjoy them.

4. "I can dream." Since returning from SA I have talked with countless friends who are having a difficult time with the job hunt. The American dream is quickly slipping from reality in my opinion. Live it up for the kingdom. JAM is a team with an average age of 21 years of age. Git founded the ministry when he was 18. Many of the JAM team members have visions of starting their own ministries after their service year with JAM. Never let yourself be pulled down to mediocrity for the illusion of "security." Live like a radical for the kingdom of God, do things that the world will call you crazy for. Start ministries at the age of 18, travel across the world to do ministry, chop up a dead donkey with a machete, I promise that even though it may be difficult you'll find joy and contentment in that.

I want to once again thank all of you who have supported me through your prayers and financially. This trip wouldn't have been possible without the loving support of my wonderful friends and family. I encourage you, go out and be a part of what God is doing in this world! "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it spring forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the wilderness." Isaiah 43:19