I can't wait to go back someday... I pray that God will lead me back there at some point in my life, but I have no clue where the Lord will lead me next... and that is what makes this life so interesting! haha!
So for now, I will continue to remember South Africa with fondness and look forward to my next adventure!
And, I will also share my South Africa thank you letters with you all!
Hello again!
First of all, I just want to say, thank you, thank you, thank you for supporting me on my trip to South Africa! I learned so much on this incredible journey. I learned about the country, about myself, but most importantly about my God. The two weeks went by so fast, but not too fast for me to make some memories!
There are so many things I would like to share with you about this trip. But, I guess the best way would be to start at the beginning. The fact that I was going to Africa didn’t get real at all until I was on the plane to Washington DC, and after that it was all too real! Once we landed in Johannesburg I knew there was no going back. Trust me, I definitely didn’t want to come back home yet, all I wanted to do was to get to our final destination which was George.
There are so many things I would like to share with you about this trip. But, I guess the best way would be to start at the beginning. The fact that I was going to Africa didn’t get real at all until I was on the plane to Washington DC, and after that it was all too real! Once we landed in Johannesburg I knew there was no going back. Trust me, I definitely didn’t want to come back home yet, all I wanted to do was to get to our final destination which was George.
Once we landed in George, I felt at home, literally. The missionaries there were so incredibly kind to us and treated us like a family. They opened their home to us and taught us about the culture and what it was like to be a missionary in South Africa. They also showed us around the town of George, as well as showing us how beautiful God’s creation is. I wish I could tell you what it was like, but words and pictures will never do it justice. The mountains were majestic and the ocean was so beautiful (as well as freezing).
Though the mountains and the coast were very beautiful, nothing could compare to the beauty of the South African people. Every time one of those little children smiled at me, it just stole my heart! They’re laugh, the way they talk, and their hugs all spoke of how awesome God is and how he is the Creator!
But, I’m jumping ahead of myself! I should probably tell you where I met these children of God. We put on two VBS programs while we were there; one was only a day and the other lasted an entire week. But, there is an interesting story about that. Halfway through the week long VBS my team and I had a strong desire to do more. We knew God brought us to South Africa for more than to see the children for just an hour a day. So myself and two other girls in the group stayed up late and prayed one night that God would open up more opportunities for us and that we could be used to spread His Love to more children or at least get more time with the children we were already working with. So, as we all know. God answers prayer! And the next day at Kidstop (where VBS was taking place) we were asked to help serve meals to the children and come in on Friday morning to not only serve breakfast but to learn more about the organization and tour it. And then we would spend the rest of the day touring the other facilities and organizations put on by Youth For Christ.
But, I’m jumping ahead of myself! I should probably tell you where I met these children of God. We put on two VBS programs while we were there; one was only a day and the other lasted an entire week. But, there is an interesting story about that. Halfway through the week long VBS my team and I had a strong desire to do more. We knew God brought us to South Africa for more than to see the children for just an hour a day. So myself and two other girls in the group stayed up late and prayed one night that God would open up more opportunities for us and that we could be used to spread His Love to more children or at least get more time with the children we were already working with. So, as we all know. God answers prayer! And the next day at Kidstop (where VBS was taking place) we were asked to help serve meals to the children and come in on Friday morning to not only serve breakfast but to learn more about the organization and tour it. And then we would spend the rest of the day touring the other facilities and organizations put on by Youth For Christ.
On Saturday we spent some time at Kidstop just playing with the children and ending our time there with some fun. That night we held a “braai” pronounced “brie” at the house so all the church folks could come and spend some quality time with us! It was so cool to see how they serve meals in their culture. But, before the meal was served the ladies sang some old hymns from in their native tongue, which was beautiful.
It was on this night that I decided that I wanted to do more with South Africa, that I felt a sincere calling and a feeling of home there. I don’t know when God will call me back there, but I do know that God has placed a strong desire to be there on my heart. I want to sincerely thank you all for helping me realize some desires that God has put on my heart that I didn’t even know existed. I want to ask that you all continue to pray for me as I am figuring out God’s plan for my life and as I am seeking out my future ties with South Africa. God will make his plan known in time, but until this I will rejoice in the time I spent in George and hope that I can do it again soon.
The last day at church they sang one of the old hymns for us again as we were all saying our goodbyes. They sang one that had a special meaning. It goes something like this “aiyah duma ma Samaria, sizo gena Jerusalem” The song basically means, if I don’t see you again, I will see you in the next Jerusalem. And there was no better way to end our time in George than hearing that message and with that I will tell you all baai danke, which means thank you very much. And of course, see sizo gena Jerusalem.
With a grateful heart,
Terah Jo Mulvany
The last day at church they sang one of the old hymns for us again as we were all saying our goodbyes. They sang one that had a special meaning. It goes something like this “aiyah duma ma Samaria, sizo gena Jerusalem” The song basically means, if I don’t see you again, I will see you in the next Jerusalem. And there was no better way to end our time in George than hearing that message and with that I will tell you all baai danke, which means thank you very much. And of course, see sizo gena Jerusalem.
With a grateful heart,
Terah Jo Mulvany
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