Compelling Purpose

Today had our small team going in several different directions. While the Emily, Kim, & I spent most of the day at the Academy, Jared was in Sweet Home again (more on that below). 


Time at the Academy has always been special to me. To be honest we could be doing homework with the students and I would love it. Today was full of activities with the students. I think we had what might be considered the ultimate dodgeball match today! They took the game very seriously and we played outside for well over an hour in the chilly winter weather. I'm always amazed at the exuberance these young people bring to all they do! There were some very "Bring It On"/"Stomp the Yard"-esque moments in this game, with all sorts of coordinated dance moves and chants. I've never heard Tears for Fear's "Shout" used as a taunting song before today, but somehow they made it work. After the dodgeball mania finally toned down we headed in doors for a more mellow activity where the student had a the chance to exercise their artistic creativity. It was a great way to wind down a bit after the intensity of the outside games and it was also a great time for us to be able to talk and connect with students.


Another fun thing that happened at the Academy today was that seven student from Sweet Home were able to come in for the day and shadow Bridges Academy students. This morning Emily got to drive in to Sweet Home to pick up these students for their outing to Bridges Academy. Some of the students had been to the property before for OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) camp, but never in the capacity where they got to be in the school setting. They had the chance to sit in on classes, interact with other students, eat a delicious lunch (Vetkoek a.k.a Fat Cakes...believe me, these things are amazing), and learn more about what they would need to do to apply to the Academy for next school year. Emily said that one of the best things was seeing how relieved the Sweet Home students were to see some familiar faces at Bridges Academy because the students knew each other from their previous schools in the townships. The Bridges students were great ambassadors for their school and many were sad to see the other students leave at the end of the school day.

Time with the Academy students did not end once dinner rolled around! This evening we had a "Open Mic Night/Coffeehouse" for the students. Yes, coffee was served (decaf only for them) along with tea and hot cocoa. The evening event kicked off with a truly rocking Did party (DJed by none other than out very own Jared with the evening being emceed by Kim) and after beverages were served the performances began. There were six different sining acts from solo artists to trios. If you could only hear these kids sing....honestly the talent still overwhelms me. When we have these types of evenings here it just makes it so much easier for me to see how God has truly gifted each of us with different talents and we have the opportunity to use our talents for His glory! 


The past couple of days have been a struggle for me as I have questioned my role and what my place is in this trip. I was reminded this morning after reading a devotion by Oswald Chambers that it's not about me & my plans for what I can do, but it is about God's purpose "The work we do is of no account when compared with the compelling purpose of God. It is simply the scaffolding surrounding His work and His plan. God takes us aside all the time. We have not yet understood all there is to know of the compelling purpose of God."


Please continued to keep us in prayer as we trust that God has a compelling purpose for all of us being here in South Africa at this time! Thank you for your continued support! ❤ keira




Hello...Jared again!

Today I had the pleasure of spending most of my day with Chris Kamalski.  Chris and his wife, Maxi just moved here from Pretoria to join the Bridges staff and we've had a great time getting to know them!  Turns out Chris and I both went to Biola, ROCKHARBOR and lived in Costa Mesa all at different times.  

About 7 weeks ago all the campus pastors from ROCKHARBOR came out to South Africa and held a men's conference in Sweet Home.  About 30-40 men showed up (way more than expected) and many made decisions for Christ that day.  In response to that, a men's bible study was established for follow up and community.  This morning I got to come to bible study with Chris and the male CHE trainer, Thobela.  Six guys all arrived around the same time; 1 hour late (Africa time is a real thing).  Three of the six were at the original men's event and the other three had been invited by others.  Our study for the morning was 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

"⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Chris shared about the struggle that all of us men face in finding our identity in strength and power and how we try to hide our weaknesses rather than resting in Christ's power.  These verses are so counter cultural for all of us and we all began sharing about what that meant to each of us.  It was amazing to watch EVERYONE open up and share about how God has been changing their lives.  Thobela explained that it is very rare to see African men open up and show vulnerability like they all were so willingly doing.  One man shared about how he was HIV+ and had lost all hope.  He had started robbing people and carjacking because he felt like he had nothing to lose but then God changed his life.  He "felt the power of God".  Another man shared that he constantly pictures the pastors from RockHarbor and thanks God for that day.  Another shared how he had vowed never to come to church but his friend convinced him to come to this bible study and he felt the "power of God in the room".  As we concluded there was such an incredible sense of unity among all the men and you could clearly see that there was real transformation happening.  When Thobela, Chris and I were driving out of Sweet Home we all shared how encouraged we felt and how it really seems like God is starting to stir something big in Sweet Home!  What a privilege it was to join that community today!

Due to some logistical issues Chris and I spent the next hour or two hanging out with Sisanda and Thobela before heading into town for lunch.  As someone very new to the international mission field it was so helpful to be able to just sit and ask questions for an hour - I even got a lesson in Xhosa (their native language).  Chris also had a lot of helpful insight that I soaked up on our couple hour drive and lunch.  Topics included: Xhosa culture, American politics, long term missions, short term missions, fine coffees, and Andrew Richards.

All in all I learned a lot today and was very encouraged.  I felt very thankful for faithful people like Sisanda, Thobela, Chris and Maxi who have given their lives to these communities and I was humbled watching God transform hearts this morning.  

To top off this amazing day I got to come back to the academy and DJ a little dance party for the students!  

In the wise, poetic, inspiring words of Rihanna: "We found love."

What a great day!