The End Is Nearing, But A New Chapter Is Beginning...

Dear Friends and Family,

Another month has passed and I find myself standing in awe of God, how he works, and what He’s done in my life since being here. As I sit here typing, it’s crazy to think that my time in South Africa is almost over. I only have 3 weeks left and then I am homeward bound. It’s a feeling of mixed emotions as I can’t wait to come home and see my family and friends, yet at the same time I don’t want to leave my family here, my friends and every connection I have made over the past 6.5 months.

This whole past month has been a whirlwind because it’s been Holiday Club (one month that kids have off from school) and Living Hope runs programs for the kids and teens. The holiday program is run in the same manner that our kids club afternoon programs are run, except more intense and longer hours. My role during the past month has been to run the Upwards soccer program. During that time I got to teach soccer skills to kids and teens in four different townships. I spent one week in each of the following areas: Ocean View, Masi, Overcome Heights, and Red Hill, plus a one week soccer clinic at King of Kings Church. It was a hectic month, but it was one of my best months here as soccer is my passion and I love kids. It’s also been great to spend a week in areas that I have never experienced before. It’s great being able to love on kids and build relationships with them. I pray that God uses everything to draw kids and teens closer to him and bring the unsaved to salvation.

For two and a half weeks of coaching, I got to work alongside a soccer team from Brazil who came to help. It was a privilege to work alongside them and a great joy. Some of them didn’t speak English, some spoke broken English, and others spoke decent English. Despite a bit of a language barrier I still got to talk with several of them and make some really great friends and connections. They just left on Sunday and I am so sad that they are gone. I’ve wanted to go to Brazil for years, ever since falling in love with the soccer team and since knowing missionaries to Brazil. Now that I have these new friends, my desire to go is even greater. Two of the Coach’s said that they see a lot of potential in me for soccer ministry and that I should pray about it and come help them with ministry in Brazil, even if for just a couple of months. So while I can’t wait to get back to SA next year for soccer ministry, I am praying about the possibility of getting to Brazil some time for soccer ministry. Please keep me in your prayers, that I follow God’s calling and am obedient to him.

The next two weeks will be spent doing the work I did before holiday club started. So that means sewing lessons, kids clubs, and training meetings. The last week that Ronnie and I are here we decided to take off in order to do things we haven’t gotten to do yet. We might drive out one day to the eastern cape to see the dessert, go to the District 6 Museum, etc. We also plan to do last minute visiting with friends we’ve made and say our goodbyes.

We fly out on the morning of July 31st and get home August 1. Please pray for traveling mercies. Thank you again for your financial and prayer support over the past 6.5 months. You have been such a blessing to me and I thank God for each and every one of you.

FOR HIS GLORY,

Amy