Carried
It’s now been about a month and a half since we arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, and it’s hard to believe that our time is already coming to an end. My team and I have loved staying with Impact Africa and serving the people here in so many different ways. Each day has been unique, but all of it has been so deeply meaningful!
On Mondays, we were poured into spiritually through classes led by Impact staff, giving us the chance to grow, learn, and be refilled. From Tuesday through Thursday, we spent time in local communities, building relationships and helping with everyday tasks like hanging laundry and washing dishes. We also shared the Gospel and encouraged believers in their faith. Fridays were a mix of classroom and community - we spent the mornings serving as teacher assistants at Impact’s schools, and the afternoons back out in the communities leading kids’ programs.
And as much as ministry has been such a central part of this experience, some of my favorite moments have been the simple, everyday ones: spending time with my squad and the other Impact Africa interns, laughing together, washing dishes, playing card games, and just living life side by side. It’s been incredibly encouraging to be surrounded by a group of young people whose hearts are so on fire for the Lord! A healthy community is so important, and I’ve now truly seen just how wonderful it is to be part of one.
Through it all, it’s been incredible to watch how God moves in each space, often in ways we don’t expect. As I reflect on this season, one word keeps coming to mind: carried. God has met me, sustained me, and gently led me forward in ways I never could have done on my own.
Carried Through The Unseen
One encounter that has really stayed with me happened during community outreach, when we met a woman and had the opportunity to talk with her about her faith. From the very beginning, the moment felt unexpected, as it had been raining fairly hard all morning and we weren’t even sure we would come across anyone to talk to. But God provided a small sitting area - something very uncommon in these kinds of settlements - with a table and a sheet overhead that served as a covering from the rain.
As we talked with her, she shared that she believed in God, but still participated in the cultural tradition of worshiping her ancestors. We were able to gently encourage her to turn away from that and step into a fully surrendered relationship with Jesus.
After praying over her, she told us that she had been trying to get her child enrolled in one of Impact’s schools, but hadn’t been accepted. Two days later, her child showed up at one of the Impact schools and even ended up in the exact classroom where I was serving as a teacher’s assistant.
It felt like such a clear reminder that God is always moving beyond what we can see. He is constantly working behind the scenes, connecting moments and people in ways only He can.
Carried Trhough Fear
Another moment where I truly saw God move was last week, when I had the opportunity to speak in front of around 400 kids at a local school. If you know me, you know that’s something that would have once completely terrified me. Even just a month ago, I don’t think I would have volunteered for something like that or been able to follow through well. I’ve always struggled with intense stage fright, often feeling shaky, nauseous, and overwhelmed at the thought of speaking in front of others.
However, in that moment, I felt completely covered in God’s peace. The nerves that would normally take over were gone. All I could think about was how good He is. When we step out in faith, even when it feels uncomfortable or impossible, He meets us where we are and carries us through.
After I finished speaking, one girl came up to me and shared that her story was similar to mine, and that she felt encouraged by what I had said. That meant so much to me. It showed me that even when I don’t see the full impact, God is always at work in individual hearts.
Between moments like that and encounters like the woman we met during outreach, I’ve been reminded again and again of how personal God is. He sees each individual so clearly, knows exactly what they need, and meets them right where they are. The fact that He would use something as simple as my story - or a single conversation - to make someone feel seen and loved leaves me in complete awe of His goodness.
Looking Ahead
As bittersweet as it is, we’ll be leaving Impact on March 9th and heading to Kruger National Park for debrief. I’m really looking forward to this time to rest, reflect, and process all that God has done over these past weeks.
Then, on March 15th, we’ll continue our journey in Eswatini. My heart is full of anticipation for what God has in store next, while also overflowing with gratitude for everything He’s already done here.
South Africa has been a truly beautiful season. I’m leaving with a full heart, grateful for the people, the memories, and the ways God has met me here. I leave as a different person than when I arrived - not because I have it all figured out, but because I’ve seen more clearly who God is…and who I am in Him. I’m continuing to learn what it means to live from a place of being loved, rather than striving for love, to trust His voice more fully, and to walk in obedience even when it feels uncomfortable!
As I step into what’s next, I do so with confidence, knowing that the same God who brought me here will continue to carry me forward!
