Prayer and Manual Labour

We are now half way through our third week. My first news is that God has provided for me amazingly. First my mom contributed a huge amount towards my finances, then someone from Rèunion blessed me with 50 euros by anonymous donation. Now I have just found out that my home church, Plettenberg Bay Community Church, blessed me so generously that  all my outreach fees have now been paid off.

It is so amazing, God knew the whole time, every time I tried to pray for finances He would ask me why I was worrying about finances when I am living in His house. He is providing for me, He asks nothing in return, He has adopted me and is taking care of me.

This weekend we went to a church on the other side of the island. Our leader received word from God that we need to pray over the whole island so we did a "prayer drive". As we drove to the church the one way we interceded for the island. Then on the way back we went the other way round and prayed over the other half of the island. It took most of the day, the longest time I have ever spent in intercession but the Holy Spirit was definitely working and teaching us about the atmosphere of the island. We also really got to see the different areas, it is so beautiful here with the forests and the barren rocks left over from the previous volcanic eruptions that are slowly being reclaimed by plants.

Speaking of plants reclaiming land, we finally got to do some stereotype missionary work (manual labour). We went to help clear vegetation for a garden that has been overgrown for the past 4 years. It was hard work but some of the most fun gardening I have ever taken part in. Right at the end we found a massive spider crawling over one of the jackets. The spider was dubbed Patricia and nudged onto the end of the rake. Once there our fearless leader used the rake to fling the spider off into new lands and we got to witness the comical moment of Patricia flying a good few meters into the distance legs flailing as she acclimatised.

Tonight we had an amazing bring and share with 2 of the youth groups from the island. There was pizza, bouchon (one of my new favourite dishes), cake, music and hilarious games half in french half in english with people displaying expert translating skills as they bounced between the 2 languages.

We leave in 10 days but I don't know how I can when this island has claimed so much of my heart. I wish I could pack all the people in my suitcase and take them with me.

Looking at the waterfall

The Gardening Crew

Jamming with the Extravagance Team

Some Photos (more coming soon)

Around Town

The team that provide food for the homeless every day

 Was so inspiring to spend time with them

Up the side of the volcano for Kate's birthday

Welcoming the guests to the National day celebrating all sea farers

bienvenue! :)

Outing with the Bonne Nouvelle Youth

Growth and Change

Okay so, week 2.
So far we have been to 4 different churches and 2 youth groups. I have never been more sure of God's love or His presence. I can feel Him at work in everything. I continue to fall in love with this island, I am learning so much. The love these people have for the Holy Spirit and worship is inspiring. So far we have seen healings and salvation.

I am still struggling with the language barrier but even with this God shows me He is busy working. Today I was so encouraged. Back in Cape Town we had prayed, in the beginning of our lecture phase for God to reveal to us, someone who needed prayer. I received the picture of a yellow shirt with 2 waves on it. We walked around Muizenberg looking for the person wearing the shirt but we didn't find them. I was discouraged in my ability to evangelise people and hear the voice of God. Today we were walking around the market talking to and praying for people. I was struggling because it is difficult to approach people when you know they don't speak your language. Suddenly I saw a man in a yellow shirt exactly like the one I had looked for in Muizenberg.   It was amazing we spoke to the guy, he was Christian, in the army and far from his home and family. We were able to pray blessing and encouragement over him. I have never seen God work in this way before, I am so glad that He blessed me with this new way for me to spread the love of His kingdom and show people how much He cares.

We have been privileged enough to spend time with the youth of this island. They are so on fire for God it makes my heart over flow with joy. My french has improved a little but unfortunately my english is starting to suffer.... I guess as the one increases the other needs to make room.

Tomorrow we are going to cook for and serve the homeless, then we are going to minister to the sailors at the harbour. I am so excited, the last time we ministered to the homeless I really felt a change, that they were impacted by us being there, interested in them and not the various tourist attractions. I can't wait to see how God uses us tomorrow, every day He surprises me and I see more and more how great His love for us is and how powerfully He works in all things. Anyway the day starts at 6am tomorrow so it's time for bed. My phone got wet and gave up on me so the photos will be a bit delayed but I am working on it. This is all for now.... à bientout (see you later)

First week

Okay, so we arrived on Friday night to a tropical paradise. Stepping of the plane I felt the warm island breeze and began to wish I was wearing shorts. The immigration officers were more friendly than an airport staff I have ever met (I thought they were supposed to be Stern and scary).

It took about 2 days for it to actually sink in that I am no longer in South Africa. That I won't be for the next 2 months, if the rest of the money for my second month comes in.

Everyone here speaks french, they all know a little English but very few speak it enough for a comfortable conversation. In some ways it is great for my learning process, my french has already improved dramatically. The language barrier does make it difficult to get to know the locals though. Tomorrow we are doing street evangelism so my new french skills will really be put to the test. These people are so friendly and welcoming and it is most frustrating not being able to communicate gratitude to the effect that I want. Merci (thank you) has become my most used word.

We are so blessed here, God has provided for us so abundantly I can't believe how much we are receiving. Even though we have only just started God has already blessed us just in our coming. I could not have imagined a kinder nation than the one we have met here. They are constantly hospitable, encouraging and friendly. There is such an air of peace and everyone seems to take each day as it comes....it amazes me. Anyway long day tomorrow so that is all for now, here are some pictures.

Some more

The amazing race, ywam team

Baptism on the beach

Group prayer at the concert

My song

The Rèunion team photo

Mini road trip to Malmsbury

Picnic in the woods

Some photos

Worshipping on top of lion's head in the mist at "sunset".

Heading up into the cloud (lion's head)

Hanging out at the mall

Caving on Muizenberg mountain (boomslang trail)

View from the mountain

Inside the cave

The Count Down

So we have now finished lecture phase. This week we will spend prepping for outreach. Our tickets are booked, the plane leaves on Friday. It seems so surreal. Living on base in Muizenberg has been such an awesome experience. Though I am excited to go I am nervous to find out how this next step will be. My life as a missionary is just starting, I know it will be amazing but it is like heaven; we will only know what it is like once we get there. Try as we might to imagine how it will feel or what it will look like there are endless possibilities.

Our group is going to Madagascar and Réunion at the end of June. For July we will be living in Réunion. We are going to be connecting with the local church and missionary team there. We will be facilitating a youth group and leading a youth camp. We will have kid’s ministry and be performing a few skits to teach about Christ. Our team is also going to be leading and facilitating worship services at the local church and reaching out to the local community. Getting to know the people and helping them grow their relationships with God. I know that this will also have a huge impact on my life and I am looking forward to growing my character and adding some awesome memories to my life.

In Madagascar we are holding a 6 week music seminar for the local people called Sound of the Nations. We will be helping the participants learn about their identities in Christ and the “voice” God has given them. We will be sharing our testimonies and putting into practice all that we have been learning here. We will be returning to South Africa in the first week of September.

As I start focusing on what I will need to pack I grow more and more grateful for what God has done in my life over these past few months. He took me from a place of not knowing my place and firing guesses at who I am to a place where I am filled with life and peace. I don't know my future but I know it is a life worth living. My purpose is to glorify God, my dream is to welcome people into this family I now have.

We had to come up with a mission statement, something that will get us out of the bed in the morning even when the work is hard and the going is tough. Something that will call us back to God when we lose focus. I thought about it a lot.

The best way I can put it is: I am here to call people home, to show them the love that I have found and how it can be a part of everything we do.

The time has arrived. God has called me to go and be a light to the nations and now I am finally obeying that call.

The hardest part of this right now would be trusting God to provide the finances for this trip. I have heard so many testimonies of God's provision for others but even with all this proof around me I am having to face down my fears every time I think about it. I am fortunate enough to have half of the money in. He made a way for me to pay the lecture phase fees and for my plane ticket before I came here. This last chunk of money is the bit I am trusting Him for with no idea how I can pay it. What is keeping me together is knowing that He will make a way for His plans for me. It is a privilege for me to go out and spread His kingdom. He doesn't need me to go but He has a plan for my life, as long as I am willing to obey Him there will be a way to do it.
We were praying for  finances the other day and the Lord revealed to me how I was praying for bits of paper and metal when He called me to pray for people and nations. So I have now shifted my focus back to His purpose and not how I will get there.

Have you ever looked at where you are in life and just known that you are exactly where you are supposed to be. It feels like getting home and putting on those slippers that are the exact shape of your foot. Nestling into that corner of the couch that is shaped and curved to fit you perfectly. Then putting on some new music and letting the notes lift you and transport you with their complex and foreign patterns.

Anyway that's all for now, sorry there are no pictures for this post. I will post some of our time here in Muizenberg during the week.

If you would like to support me in raising the last funds I need these are the banking details of the base: Account name: Youth With A Mission, Bank Name: Standard Bank, Branch: Blue Route, Branch Code: 025 609, Account Number: 072032901, Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ,  Reference: April DTS Hansen