I don't remember the last time that I wrote, several weeks ago now, but I have some big updates for you all.
So this past week was Holiday Club. The kids had a two week break because of Easter, so during one of those weeks we run a special program that the kids come to every day to hear the gospel, do a craft, sing songs, play games, and get food. My team of LSEs had to divide between two communities, some were in Capricorn and some were in Overcome Heights. Since last year I have had a heart for Capricorn and I still do, but this past week God gave me a greater heart than I'd had for the Overcome people. I had never been through Overcome other than to get to the container where we have club, but we actually drove the main "road"-a dirt path that was meant for two cars but only wide enough for one and these little shacks (if you can even call them that) lining both sides of the road. Last year when I saw Capricorn and how bad it was it broke my heart, but compared to Overcome, Capricorn seems like luxury. In Overcome, all I saw was utter poverty and it just broke my heart. I started observing more and realized that this place was the only place I've seen where race is mixed. All the other communities are segregated, whites in one place, blacks in another, and coloured in yet another. I found out that Overcome Heights isn't really considered a community; it's a slum. In the communities, people choose to live there because that's where their families are, but in Overcome people stay there because they have no choice-they have nothing. There is a 97% unemployment rate which means only 3% of people have jobs! That's ridiculous and makes more sense why there is such a huge problem with gangs, drugs, giving one's body for sex in return for food or drugs, etc. Anyway, my eyes were opened and I was deeply saddened, heartbroken for these people. It gave me even more love for this place and these people.
Second BIG update has to do with Ambassadors in Sport. I've been trying to keep you all up to date as much as possible, so as you read in my last blog post, I have been praying about a possible calling into sports ministry and was looking into coming back to SA to volunteer with them. They are a Christian based ministry (Christ comes first) who seek to bring the hope of Jesus Christ to people by using soccer. Anyway, the weekend before Easter I filled out the AIS application and had two reference forms filled out and sent in. So yesterday I had my big skype interview with Mark and Kelli from the AIS branch in the states. It didn't really feel like an interview, more like a conversation. Mark said I am two steps ahead of most people that apply to this program and that normally a big part of the interview has to do with doctrine and one's spirituality. However, he said that through my application he could tell that I have a true love and passion for the Lord and he was really excited about that. So while he still asked me theology questions, our interview went in a bit of a different direction. He got to know me a lot better and see my heart and I got to see AIS's and his. In, short he was very impressed by me and my passion and love for the Lord, soccer, and South Africa. The interview was such an encouragement to me and it was really fun. By the end of it I forget what was said but Mark said something along the lines of: it's scary how well you would fit right in with AIS. I will know within one week whether I am accepted or not, so I will keep you all up to date. If I am accepted I will start raising money now (while in SA), by emailing support letters out and such and then continuing to raise money when I get home. I already have 3 fundraising ideas.
Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I seek to follow God's calling and do His will. There are so many Bible passages that I have been encouraged by over the past couples weeks and have really been digging into the word on different subjects. God has been showing me lots of new things in his word, even though a lot of it is stuff I have read countless times.
Love you and miss you all! Even though I won't want to leave SA, I am excited at the same time to come home and see you all!
For His Glory,
Amy
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps".
-Proverbs 16:9
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