Rachel's Reflections

"Neverless, not my will but Your will be done" (Luke 22:42) This was my prayer all week because I asked to go back to Durban  again. I had several reasons for asking, but also knew there were benefits for staying in the Jo'burg area. Since both were good options I prayed this prayer, put in my request, and left the results with God.  When I found out the answer was a "Yes" to come back to Durban I knew it was because God wants me here. I arrived back in Durban yesterday afternoon. I am excited to be here to connect better with people, be an encouragement to them, and be able to practice my Portuguese more. I will be staying with the Hawkins for about two weeks and already have been blessed. I spent time in the home of Portuguese speakers from Angola yesterday and was able to practice a lot with Isabel who was very patient with me. At youth last night I filled in for one of the small group leaders and two of the girls had lots of deep questions. Tod

During SMASH, while I was listening to one of the messages, a verse came to mind that was totally unrelated to the message and everything else I had thought of, read, or listened to that week. As it popped into my mind though I immediately realized it summarized some of my thoughts of late.  Romans 15:20-21 "and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written, 'Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.'”  I've known for a while that I will be a full-time missionary for the rest of my life, or as long as God allows me to. This year in South Africa and Mozambique has only affirmed that deeper into my heart and mind. Going on SMASH, participating in weekly ministries, learning a language, all these things are preparing and drawing my heart towards this calling.  I do not know where I will end up or in

21  people on the SMASH team (youth + leaders) 136 children registered for Holiday Bible Club (HBC) 40+ Salvations! Everyone here wecolmed me with open arms and hearts and made this week so wonderful. We traveled 3 hrs south of Durban where we served a church in Kokstad by running a Holiday Bible Club in the morings and helping with several projects for them in the afternoons.  I helped with the little kids,  grades R-2, during HBC. They were cute kids and even though they did not all speak English they were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Their eyes sparkled with laughter as they watched Captain Crash try to apply the Bible lesson and their smiles lit up as they sung and danced to the songs. I know what they learned this past week will stick with them and encourage them. Along with working alongside the youth during the afternoon projects I also got to help Aunty Mary in the kitchen for dinner and breakfast all week and oversaw the meal crews. Cindy : Monday morning I was i