Hey friends! 12 days left in South Africa-can you believe that?!Cause I surely cannot! South Africa has completely changed my Word Race experience and my relationship with God for the better! Days have been filled with working in a school, going on a Safari, and basking in the African sunsets. I have gotten to see the Lord’s beauty in countless different forms. The school has been amazing, but hard as well. Consequences and forms of punishment look very different at schools here than they do in schools back at home, so I’ve been learning how to take off my American , very-privileged glasses and meet the students and teachers where they’re truly at! While I’m ministering to the people around me, my teacher has also been ministering to me. Hearing her testimony has been powerful, and her constant trust in the Lord is admirable. Through heavy situations where most Christians would run from the Lord, she chooses to run towards Him and uses it as an opportunity to praise Him. My students at 3, 4 and 5 years old are beyond self sufficient and have strong autonomy over their bodies. I learned from my mom that when I was 1 1/2, that’s also how I acted, so it was very special to be able to sit and think about those parallels. God has been teaching me the importance of actively seeking His face in the quiet moments or in the moments of stillness. When I’m trying to find anything to occupy my time, the Lord just wants to sit and meet with me. How special is that? Recently I have been deciding what I should do next. I know that college is not the next step; I know it will happen, but it’s not supposed to happen this August. God put an impression on my heart to possibly do the Global Challenge, which is a 12 month mission trip that starts in South Africa. Please be praying for me and my next steps. I have comfort knowing that God created the whole world in 6 days so I don’t need to rush! I am beyond grateful for the time I’ve had here; from the strong breeze, to the crunchy sand, to the laughter of students, to seeing a new side of the Lord’s face – South Africa will be missed! 
