Be Anxious For Nothing: My Journey to Zithulele (Part 3)

Ok, here it goes! Let’s begin “Part 3” of this blog. Let’s quickly get to the cliffhanger and clarify that I’m not staying in Zithulele…yet. Haha I mean surely these blueprints were a coincidence, and I couldn’t possibly be called to a place I had only been in for 7 days at that point in time. I didn’t even know the people of Zithulele yet. And missions is about people isn’t it? Also, I just only allowed the Lord to take control over my future a few hours ago, and there’s no way He could possibly be at work with my life so fast. 

 

I was basically left with this incredible opportunity in my hands to pray about. I felt like someone pulled the mat from right under me, but in a cool kind of way (if that makes any sense). That Sunday was the beginning of my heart being tugged by the Lord. I spent so much time thinking that this opportunity was to good to be true, but I also spent so much time thinking this couldn’t possibly the place because it’s so…rural. Isabel Salazar obviously wasn’t made for the rural life because she hates bugs, ya know? I tried brushing off the idea as if there was no connection between me and this opportunity. My problem is that sometimes I try to deny and deflect good things that come my way because if they don’t turn out, then I save myself from hurt and disappointment (refer to “Part 1” for the connection). Identifying divine appointments from the Lord for other people comes with no doubts in my head, but considering the Lord could do that for me comes with 10 million doubts. Things have to make pure logical sense when it comes to my life, because if it doesn’t, then something can go wrong. The truth is though, God doesn’t really plan around my logic. As much as I tried to ignore the tugging on my heart, the Lord just tore down all the walls I was trying to put up this month. 

 

The truth is that my heart has never had a burden for a place like Zithulele before. Although I got the tip of the iceberg when it came to knowing the Xhosa people, and the obstacles that are prohibiting them from being progressive believers in Jesus Christ, I couldn’t help but be drawn into wanting to be a part of the work that is being done there. A desire grew deep within me to see the people of Zithulele break chains from their cultural ancestral worship, and receive freedom from generational curses by believing in the One who has the power to do so. Jesus loves the people of Zithulele, and they need to know they have a Savior in Him alone. If God can use a coffee shop and its vision as a tool to bring these people to Him, and minister to the missionaries that have been there for years, then I’m open. I’m more than open. I’m pumped. I’m so pumped that I don’t care how rural it is because people’s lives can be changed. Our second to last day there, I exchanged contact information with our host as a first step of faith in surrendering. Ideally the blue prints will come to life by next year, so I have plenty of time to still pray, prepare, and allow the Lord to really guide and grow me. I am also fully aware that because it’s in the far future that anything can happen from now until then. Usually I’d be anxious about that, but I’m actually in complete peace because if it’s truly what the Lord has planned for me it’ll come to pass. If it doesn’t, then it wasn’t for me, and I still got to experience an amazing month with amazing people. 

 

I’ll conclude my final thoughts on all of that again towards the end of this blog; but for now, I just want to share what I actually got to be a part of in Zithulele, and the people I met. 

 

Our ministries in Zithulele were very different depending on where you were placed each week. There are several Christian based Non-profit Government Organizations located within the area that both teams had the opportunity to serve. One of them was Jabulani, the first organization to have been established within Zithulele. Their focus is to help grow the community’s development by caring for the people’s healthcare, education, poverty, and environmental issues. Most of my ministry time in Zithulele was being able to help renovate a library they have developed for the local community. My teammates, Hannah Kraus, Hannah Hughs, David, and Isaac were all able to have a part in this incredible project. Me and both Hannah’s basically painted until our arms felt like falling off, while David and Isaac were showing off their carpentry skills. They both worked so hard, and absolutely killed every project thrown their way. 

 

Along with that project, I was also able to serve the teachers at Zithulele Independent School by chaperoning their fun field trips to the beach, laminating their books, and taking on a small part of the “ Sports Day” program that my Global teammate, Clarissa, organized. 

 

Another NGO that I’m really excited about sharing with you is Sihamba Sonke. Every Wednesday night our teams got to take part in a chess night that they have organized for the locals to be a part of.  They have used this game night as a vehicle to share the Gospel, as well as, using the time to do a Bible study after the games conclude. I didn’t really get to serve this organization much outside of these nights, but I was so impressed with their vision for the community that I couldn’t help but intently observe and learn what they have to offer. They equip and enable the local leaders within Zithulele to mentor and raise up the next generation of leaders. They have considered the lack of education and employment within rural South Africa, and have taken action in providing solutions through programs that involve proper education, computer skills, and character development. One of the programs that my attention was instantly gravitated towards goes by the name of Work 4 A Living. It involves a 3 week course to whoever is interested in starting their own small business, or needing more insight on how to receive basic employment. This course not only equips the locals with basic skills to increase their employment opportunities, but integrates the Scripture with their reasoning behind certain core values and skills that are taught. At the end of the course, the Gospel is presented and people have an opportunity to receive Christ as their Savior. I got to hear incredible stories of people breaking chains from their ancestral worship, breaking generational curses, forgiving indescribable sins that others have done to them, and just outright giving their lives to Jesus. Ugh, just writing that makes me so excited for what the Lord is doing through Sihamba Sonke and Work 4 A Living. 

 

Other than observing and serving these organizations, I had the privilege of crossing paths with so many unforgettable people and families throughout my time in Zithulele. One of them being our ministry coordinator Zirk and his incredible wife Charné. They greeted us the minute we got to Zithulele, and made us feel so welcomed and loved. Hearing their story about leaving their busy lives in Cape Town and moving to a rural environment to serve other missionaries has impacted me so much in thinking that the idea for me isn’t so far fetched. They have truly integrated with the locals there, and have been true examples of what it looks like to embrace and take part in what the culture has to offer. 

 

My fellow Global teammate, Anri, and I also had the privilege of knowing Sally and Carl LaRoux. They are one of the first doctors to have founded Jabulani back in 2007, and they have served here ever since. Anri and I were able to have delicious family dinners with them every Tuesday night, and they blessed us with access to their washing machine and a hot shower. We had such a fun time getting to know their three kids Emma, Johan, and Davie. We spent late afternoons chatting about life on the field and life at home, playing card games, drinking great coffee and tea, and without fail getting to eat baked goods that were all made from scratch by Emma. She’s a baking prodigy. This family left me truly inspired by their warm hospitality, and the many years they’ve invested for the Lord and the people of Zithulele. 

 

Just as much as the families who serve long term in Zithulele that have impacted and encouraged me, are also the short term volunteers who have devoted a year of their lives to serve here. Joanne Clowes (1st & 2nd grade teacher at Zithulele Independent School), Adrian Erasmus (Volunteer at Sihamba Sonke), and Julian *last name is a mystery by his choice* (volunteer at Sihamba Sonke/ facilitator for Work 4 A Living) are among many of them who I now consider friends; and will forever look up to with the highest of respect for their obedience, sacrifice, and devotion to serve God’s people. 

 

A couple who don’t actively serve in Zithulele, but have grown very dear to my heart are Auntie Engela and Uncle Paul. They were both former missionaries to Mozambique, and still look over the ministries they’ve established there, as well as, in Madagascar and Lesotho. They are now living in Jeffrey’s Bay working together with Global, and we were extremely blessed that this beautiful couple accompanied our team in Zithulele from the very beginning. Auntie Engela filled our stomachs to the rim with impeccable meals and desserts. She babied us to death and tended to our every want and need. Uncle Paul is the funniest guy around, but one of the most humble and wisest men I know. He drove us up and down from our living location to our ministry location everyday. If we didn’t have him or his monster of a Land Cruiser we would have had to walk 50 minutes each way. Even since arriving back to Jeffreys Bay, they have continued to take us under their wing, and have let us enjoy their company and home. They are both the grandparents I still wish I had, and I feel so blessed to know them. 

 

The last group of people that I want to share my love for are the four girls from Global Challenge’s missionary trainee team. Clarissa, Adri, Uné, and Anri became our friends while being in Jeffrey’s Bay from the start, and have now become more like sisters at the end of these 3 months. There’s just something about living in rural South Africa that makes you closer, and I wouldn’t have chosen any other group of Afrikaans girls to have spent my time in South Africa serving with. I’m still not sure how I’m going to cope with having to say goodbye to them on April 20th, but I do know that these girls will forever be in my heart no matter where we are in life. They truly are family. 

 

My journey in Zithulele has come to an end, and the end of being in South Africa is coming soon. These were quite literally the best 3 months I’ve had on my whole race. I have witnessed the Lord unfold and reveal so much before my eyes within this time. He has set opportunities before me, and has given me a deep understanding of the freedom and peace we as Believers receive when we choose from His options. I’ve come out of these 3 months with Proverbs 3:5-6 at the forefront of my mind and actually believing the promise within it. There’s no need in being anxious or confused about my future anymore because as long as I trust and acknowledge God in all my ways, He WILL make my paths straight. The best part? This beautiful promise is for every Believer. I’m in complete peace falling into what I consider “the unknown” because it’s all known and planned perfectly by the One who created me.  If next year comes, and I don’t get to serve in Zithulele again, maybe my process into surrendering the anxiousness about my future was God’s plan from the beginning. Maybe the willingness to be open to rural mission work whether it be in Zithulele or not was a part of His blueprint. The truth is I have no idea what’s going to happen in my life, I just know the plan is good and perfect. For now, I’m just gonna go step by step, and day by day until He reveals the unknown. 

 

With that being said, I’d like to ask you to join me in prayer as I fly back home next week! I’m excited to announce that when I get there I’m applying to squad lead a group of young adults on a Gap Year! I have no idea if I’ll be accepted to lead, but this time I won’t let fear or anxiety keep me from choosing the incredible opportunities and passions that the Lord has put in my heart. I hope I gave you some insight on what the Lord has done in South Africa, and that you see more of Him and less of me. I hope through sharing what He has revealed and done for me, you can start to believe He can do the same for you. Please continue to pray for me as I have exciting moves to make and choose from in the next coming months. See you soon 🙂 

 

 

 

 

The beautiful “wild coast”/ Hole in the Wall 

 

 

Camping at beautiful Lubanzi Beach with the Global girls and some of the short term volunteers. 

 

 

   

Progress pictures of the library renovation.

 

 

 

 

Chess night with the locals 🙂 

 

 

 

The local kids I fell in love with <3

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the Sihamba Sonke crew praying for Hannah Kraus on her birthday and some locals during their Work 4 A Living course.

 

 

 

 

 

Me and some of the cute kids from Zithulele Independent School on their “Sports Day“ taking home 1st place and a really cute love note from one of them. 🙂  

 

 

 

 

 

 Group photo of the Global Challenge Team, Tannie Engela and Uncle Paul, and our friends from Sihamba Sonke. Also, Tannie Engela and Oom Paul being actual goals.