To say this month and season of life has been a blessing is an understatement. I’lI start by saying we’ve been living off the grid which has been beautiful to fully press into community and exactly where God has us with little to no distractions. I’ve enjoyed living with our entire squad and the events that have occurred in this time!
This month we are primarily focused on kid’s ministry. We have done a few house visits here and there but we are essentially there for the kids. We are working as a team during ministry hours, which are
9:30-3:30 alongside half of team Othe (one of the boys teams). We are working with Jackson, Sam, and Marvin and I love having them as an addition to team NAYA! A typical day at ministry looks like leaving at 9:30, dropping team Abide off at their care point, driving to ours and either house visits or weeding out the kids play area. Some of us use shovels to clear the land at our care point and others help the
“go go” (cook/ grandma of the carepoint) make the meal for the kids. Then we eat lunch around 12 before hanging our with our “Shepard” (leader) and some older kids that are usually there! The little kids finally arrive around 2 and we get to pour into them, serve their food, and play until we leave around 3:30. I personally have a little group that always gives notes and hugs right as they arrive… its so cute, a few of the kids have claimed each person on our team! As for the house visit days, we go before the kids arrive and I’ve truly found a new love for those this country! Most of them have heard the name of Jesus and have a relationship but we’ve been able to pour into them and bring encouragement… we also bring food so we say “we are bringing food for their bodies and their soul”. I’ve found kids ministry isn’t exactly my favorite… as I thought it would be, pre-race, but they do have a place in my heart and I am not looking forward to leaving them in just a few days here! Needless to say, ministry has been so sweet here and I’ve enjoyed getting to start our time off in Africa living with our whole squad, pouring into kids and the community, and getting to emerge ourselves into their culture day after day.
We also had PVT (parent vision trip) recently which was what we called “2 worlds colliding”! We’ve been fully living in the world of travel, community, friends and out of a backpack, so to have our parents join for a week was so fun. They got to emerge themselves in the culture of Africa and get a small glimpse of our life for the past 7 months. It was a beautiful week of worship, growth and fun memories!
What a blessing that week was and I’m so grateful for those experiences! Side note: I saw a giraffe super close and that was one of my favorite moments of the race!
I will say I’m a little sad we didn’t get to do any hiking in these beautiful mountains that we are surrounded by, but the views are like no other here. Some of the house visits that we did, their daily view is like a dream. They see miles upon miles of God’s glorious creation and mountains but they laugh when we are in awe because they are used to seeing it daily and growing up here.
Anyways, we leave on Friday for South Africa. My team is located in Jeffery Bay, South Africa. I don’t know our ministry yet but I’m excited to see what this month has in store for us.
What another sweet blog👍🙏.!!! Obviously you were cut out to do this kind of thing, not only being blessed, but blessing others as you travel these unknown roads in different countries. I’m sure you agree that it has been an experience of a lifetime. Your dad has taken time to share their trip to see you with pictures and all. It is so fascinating to see how God is using your many talents as you interact with so many young/old people. You have shared how difficult it is for you to leave one country and go to another. I am also sure it is difficult for the people whose lives you have touched, to see you leave as well. As a sidenote, there are so many people at Fox Run who have asked about you, and have indicated their prayer support as well. You are loved beyond words by so many. Along with your parents, I am so inexpressibly proud of you!!! Love you so much, Grampa
Hello Ceciley,
So good to see another lovely blog post and such growth over the last few months.
It was such a joy to hear of your parents joining you for “2 worlds colliding.” I can empathise with your parents (as when we travel together with our children) and with you (remembering travels with our parents). A heady mix of surprise, dismay, and delight.
You will remember and savour these months for the rest of your life. As you continue to learn and mature, this globe-trotting time will be a constant reminder of our big and beautiful world and how caring and loving people can be. You are now a certified member of the world traveler club. As such, you’ll be the voice of experience for your many friends and family who want to know, “How was it to live and work among people in these foreign lands?” As your great grandmother Lear Boynton demonstrated, there may be many trips abroad in your future.
We’re cheering for you from Southern California.
Love, GUMBY
Great Uncle Mel Boynton
Thanks for sharing!!! We are praying for you and the team as you move to Jeffrey’s Bay!!! We love ya!
That time sure did fly. I know it’s hard to leave; it was hard for us after only a few days! Praying for you and the squad and your next adventure. Love you and so proud of you!
Love,
Mom ❤️❤️