As an update, I left on January 13th, traveled for a total of 39 hours and arrived here in Johannesburg on the 15th. I have spend the last 11 days at orientation.... definitely an intense experience! We spent long hours studying everything from traditional African religions and culture shock, to team building and spiritual warfare. I had a lot of fun getting to know the other missionaries and I also had a lot of sweet time alone with God. He has really been working to get my heart in the right place for these next four months! I feel like my brain is still processing all the information, but I count myself as blessed to have had that kind of preparation.
Overall, the last couple of weeks have been amazing! Unfortunately, my teammate Christina has decided to go back to the U.S. I was an "orphan" for a few days, but I now have a new teammate, Amanda, and she is incredible. We have already connected really well! You can be praying us... pray that we'll be able to love each other as Christ would have us to, so that we may be united and serve our Lord and others well.
This week marks the beginning of my ministry here in Lyndhurst. I am not entirely sure what to expect yet, but I am so excited to finally be here. I have been praying and planning and dreaming about this for so long... to be honest, it's still a bit surreal. We moved into our apartment yesterday and it's amazing (pictures to come). I was able to meet our guard and a few others that live in the apartment complex. It sounds like a lot of our time will be spent ministering to the people who live around us. I am especially looking forward to playing with the little kids!!!
Notable Experiences:
• getting dive-bombed by a large African bird
• my first experience shopping in an African Market
• getting stopped at customs in the South African airport (best two hours of my life... ha)
• "hawkers" on the side of the road trying to sell hats and cell phone chargers
• South African KFC
• watching African kids (with mullets) play cricket and rugby
Contact info:
BIMS - Jarah Nordin
1759 Edenvale 1610
South Africa
* You can send mail to this physical address if you'd like, just make sure to send it via AIR MAIL! I will try to respond to emails, but internet is super expensive here... i'm thinking that this blog will be the best way for you to stay updated!
Thank you all for your love and prayers. I will post more specific prayer requests and pictures in the next week! I love and miss you all very much!
Cheerio,
Jarah
"Every element of our own self-reliance must be put to death by the power of God. The moment we recognize our complete weakness and our dependence upon Him will be the very moment that the Spirit of God will exhibit His power." - Oswald Chambers
