Defined. In a nutshell.

I figured most of those reading these posts have a busy schedule and while you of course want to keep updated with what is going on here, I thought I'd make it easier and bulletpoint my last week on the Defined Outreach with the Westside team. Basically, westside brought over a team two weeks before I got here and they were doing a soccer mission trip where they would go into communities, coach soccer to the young adults and kids, and then also do devotionals and teach about Jesus through soccer. So the kids would come for the soccer, and they would use soccer as a vessel to teach them about Jesus and to share Jesus with them. The mission trip was called "Defined."


July 23 Tuesday
(I arrived in Durban the previous night and got a beautiful reunion with Ashley and Tessa and Schaun and all sorts of cool people.)
I woke up in the church. It was cold.
I got coffee/breakfast with Ashley, Bridget and Morgan. I got an appletiser; yum. Bridget got cake...
We went back to the church.
Sarah began talking to me about how excited she was that I was there. :) She is so sweet.
AND THEN! BECCA TAPPED ME ON THE SHOULDER!!
*side note: Becca is my mentor and one of my best friends and basically my sister. Love her to death*
REUNION. I hugged her really hard.
Everyone packed in the van. I got stuck in the one row that had to squeeze four people.
We went to Jungle Monkey Backpackers.
There was an optional worship with a local youth group. I went.
It was very spirit lead — worshiped, prayed, read scripture just whenever the spirit lead you to.
Got to pray with the Cosa youth; one american with one youth. My gal had the brightest smile. 16 years old. Her name was Zandu. She started crying when I prayed over her. She said it was because she was happy. I liked her.
We left. Got pizza.
Some child dancers came. They were good but it upset me.
Afterwards, there was a live band and almost the whole team got up and danced. VERY FUN!
Had some great fellowship with the team. Got a long conversation with Becca! It was the best way to end a great day.


July 24 Wednesday
Left Jungle Monkey.
The team went to the gap — a beautiful place with cliffs off the ocean. It was emotional because it was the spot where Lucia got swept away by the current.
We left for Bambi, where we would be staying for 4 days.
My roommates: Bridget, Lexi, and Prudance. PARTY ROOM!
Had Phat Cook for lunch. That stuff is the bomb diggidy.
We left to get started on the soccer clinics. Our van was making funny noises, so Molly, Thobiso and I had to wait for Schaun to pick us up before we could go to Comsholo.
We get there 2 hours late.
20-30 kids show up. I loved them. All boys between the ages of 12-14.
Molly set up all the drills and ran the practice. I was pretty useless. I don't do soccer.
After it got dark, I lead the devotional with the boys.
The devotional was about strength and where true strength comes from.
We went back. Then, we had a debrief.
Masi, Garreth, Bridget and I had a dance party. I should them the solja boi. (spelling?)
I went to the chapel and had some INTENSE worship. Everyone was singing super loud and praying at the top of their lungs. Total desperation for Jesus and it was beautiful.


July 25 Thursday
The team went to one of the schools.
A fourth of the team acted out an "tick" drama where everyone had ticks. Ticks represented sin. And you could get a free spray to get rid of the ticks. The spray represented Jesus.
The kids worshipped. It was beautiful! Beautiful. Beautiful.
We went back to the base. Ate.
Went to a plot of land where River Of Life will open. River Of Life is a new community center going up.
Then we went to the hospital.
I got to pray over two people. One accepted Jesus on the spot. Very cool.
Thobiso, Molly and I went to Comsholo for another soccer practice.
I lead the devo again.


July 26 Friday
We went to another school.
Did the tick play.
The kids worshipped. EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN THE FIRST ONE!
Went to the beach.
Alec, Morgan, Aaron and Bridget all got baptized!!! :) It was beautiful.
Becca and I made sand castles. Everyone thought they looked like boobs. :'( I'm not going into a profession of making sand castles.
I climbed across the rocks; saw whales.
Had lunch, and then went to Comsholo again.
We picked a team name: Lion Strikers.
Our boys were getting really excited about the tournament.
Thabiso and Molly and I got scolded for trying to go to KFC. I cried. Several times. Because Schaun is cool. And I don't like disappointing him.
It was a rough night. And I was homesick.


July 27 Saturday
Woke up early. I had kitchen duty.
The team left for Kwadick where the soccer tournament was going to be.
We waited for a few hours for the kids to all come.
Our van flipped with all our boys inside, and the mama. No one was hurt. PRAISE JESUS!
Our boys lost both games. :'(
Tournament was really cool. There were SO MANY people there. We had dinner with everyone and then went back.
I made thank you cards for all the drivers. They were appreciative. :)


July 28 Sunday
Got up early. Packed, cleaned, left.
Arrived in Alexandria.
Unloaded at a bed and breakfast. It was super nice. Felt like a resort.
My roommates: Jordan, Becca, and Morgan. We had such a fun room!
Got to see Steven, Adam and Abby. :)
Had a braii. Yummy yummy!!!
Worship that night was insane!!
Things I received from the Lord during worship:

• God asked why he's not enough for me. 
• He showed me how to want him through a vision
• Got all of my abilities back. :)
• Started getting prophetic things for everyone on the team all at once.
• Heard angles singing.

During worship we were literally singing with angels. :) How cool. Thanks Jesus.
That night in my room was so much fun! Jordan told us bed time stories and I was in a really funny mood. I was filled with joy of the lord. :)


July 29 Monday
Late wake up.
Breakfast.
Pack.
Got To Port Elizabeth.
SAW MADI!!!!!!!!!!!
Had a soccer clinic at the school. It was chaos but Alec was an AMAZING coach. So thankful I got to work with him.
Went to Barnacles for dinner.
Sat by Becca. She was CRACKING ME UP! I feel like our relationship really deepened. :) Very cool feeling!
Went back.
Worshiped.
I cried because I knew the next morning I would have to say goodbye to Becca. And for whatever reason, I couldn't stop thinking about Allyson Day and Libby Flood when I had to say goodbye to them at the church two weeks before.
Then, I heard Becca crying. It was a sad moment.
I tried to have a chat with Madi. But then she had to leave. Oh well, I'll see her again soon!
Went back to the room.
Had a cool conversation with Becca.
Went to bed.


July 30 Tuesday
Today sucked.
Said goodbye to Becca.
Cried.
Then said goodbye to Ashley 9 hours later after a full day in the car. Cried again.
I don't want to talk about it.
Good news: Finally arrived at Apostle!! Got to see where I'm staying and settle in a bit.
Also got to finally read all my westside notes!

And that ladies and gentlemen was the Defined Outreach with the Westside team.