Way Down Under in South Africa

So I am totally aware that it has been forever since my last post. I really do apologize for not keeping you updated. But here I am really excited to tell you what I have been up to the last month.

After a 50 hour flight from Kona, Hawaii, I arrived in Capetown, South Africa at 4:30 in the morning on April 5th. I'm here on a mission... to learn how to be more efficient in in raising up leaders, teach others how to teach others, and make disciples who can go and make more disciples. Ever since my youth ministry classes in college, I have had a deep driving force in me to make sure I am investing in people who can go further, who can lead others, who can take my job. Multiplication of leaders, people taking up their passion and call to make an impact on the world and lead others to do the same. So that's why I am here. I'm taking a course called "Making Disciple Makers" that will train me to do just that.

The first week of class focused on destiny as designed by God. Each and every person was designed by God with specific dreams, personality, and gifts; and we each have our own personal experiences and network. We are all created to have relationship with God and because of what Jesus did on the cross we can have that relationship and live out our destiny as designed by God. God has been preparing everyone for our calling and destiny and during this week we were able to look at ourselves and see what God has been preparing us for. It was so exciting to get to know the other students in the school (3 Brazilians, 1 South African, 1 German, 1 New Zealander, 5 Americans, 1 French) and hear the passions and dreams that each of them have.

The second week we focused on the Holy Spirit and the role He plays in our life and within a community. He is a person of the trinity constantly pointing us toward the Father and the Son, reminding us of how much God loves us, and motivating, empowering, and enabling us to walk as Jesus walked in fellowship with God and with people. It was an amazing week and I received so much understanding of God's desire for relationship with us and how we can be so blessed by having loving relationships with others.

This last week we dove into the purposes, guidelines, curriculum, and outcomes of a Discipleship Training School in YWAM. There were great brainstorming sessions ranging from how to train staff, how to create a live/learn community, and activities that we can do in a school that will challenge students to understand and apply the curriculum.

Aside from classes, we've been busy with all sorts of activities. Weekly, a group of us have been meeting to pray for Zimbabwe and the crisis it is in, and I've also had the opportunity to pray for the next DTS I will be staffing in July in Kona and also a DTS that will be going on in Brazil. (P.S. My heart is growing for Brazil, I might just have to go there some day) We have also been busy with ministry in the community. One project recently is that we are building a home for 4 sisters, one of whom has HIV. The oldest is working at a local jail, the one who has HIV is learning to sew and hopefully will be able to start her own business soon, and the next two sisters are going to school. They recently were told they had to start paying a higher rent for the place they were staying in (800 Rand = $100 per month), which was way to high for them to be able to stay there. They have been staying at a friend's house and one of the youngest sisters and the girl learning to sew had to stop going to school in order to work to get money in order for the family to eat. When one of the people in our school was talking to these women, she found out that across from their friend's house where they were staying was an open plot of land that they could build on and stay in for only (125 Rand a month). There was a pile of rubble stacked as high as the houses in that little 10x10 plot, but if they could clear it out, we told them we would build them a house. A few days later, we got started. The women are so greatful. This house enables all of them to stay in school and keep working. I heard Namandi (the girl with HIV) say that God gave her this house because He loves them (How true it is!) and that she wants to paint on the wall inside the word HOPE because this is what this house means to them. And what is great too is that they want to start a Bible study at their house when it is completed. It has been an amazing experience to see God provide for these women and be a part of His answer to their prayer.

Clearing the Trash (before)


Framing a Wall


The Worksite


Almost There (after)


4 Sisters who God Loves

As for South Africa itself, it is probably one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The weather is very similar to San Diego. It's almost always perfect. The view from the house I'm staying at is incredible with mountain views and the ocean off to the left. We get to watch the sunset every night over the water. It's so beautiful. We've had the opportunity to do some sight seeing including going to Cape Point, the most Southwestern point of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope, and Chapmans Peak. I've included a few pictures for you to see how amazing it is.

Haut Bay

Chapman's Peak

Cape Point

The View from Cape Point

Ostrich on the Beach

Baboon Family

Well, that's about all for now. I promise I'll keep you better posted than previously. Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and support. I am greatful for you.

God Bless,
Janet