Our Last Night and Transition Home

Hi friends and family! It's Karissa and on behalf of the entire team we can't thank you all enough for your prayers and support! It was so encouraging to read your comments on the blog every day. We have been back for 4 days now and it has been a difficult transition. Sweet Home, the Bridges staff, and students are constantly on our minds and it is a great reminder to continue to pray for them.

Last Friday night we had Girls and Guys night and it was so much fun! The guys played Minute to Win It and they had a blast spending more quality time with the boys at Bridges. Girls night was a huge success! We played music, danced, laughed, and enjoyed watching the girls work the runway all in their pajamas. Our last night couldn't have gone better, and it was refreshing to leave on such a positive and memorable night.

The next morning we packed up and prepared to say our goodbyes to everyone. It was heart breaking to leave and say goodbye to our dear loved ones. We formed lasting relationships with the students and Bridges staff, and they became a part of our lives. God moved in BIG ways while we were in South Africa and He truly blessed every conversation, after school program, prayer time, and much more. We pray the students would grow in their faith, for boldness to step out in faith, and for safety and protection for the Bridges students and staff.

THANK YOU again for your amazing support and prayers while we prepared to leave and when we were in South Africa!

Love to you all,
RHZA13 team members

The 713 RH South Africa Team is back in the USA!

After many hours of travel the team arrived safe & sound at LAX this afternoon. Please continue to keep them in prayer as they adjust to being home and process all that they experienced.

Last Day in Sweet Home

Hello Friends and Family! Kim and Rachel here to update you on our day!

Today was the team's last day in Sweet Home. We were able to train the CHEs on a couple of different topics. Taylor walked the CHEs through how to build an effective resume, and was able to answer questions about where to look for employment. He really emphasized the importance of building relationships with people in the community. At the end of this training, we were able to pray for God's provision in employment within Sweet Home.

Next up, Karissa and I (Kim) got a chance to provide some training for teachers from the informal school. We started the training off with a hands on experience to help them understand the importance of learning through play. I passed out some paper plates, and then, I gave each CHE some playdough. I thought I told everyone to start creating, but somehow there was a little miscommunication and a CHE may have eaten some playdough. Not to worry. She's fine and we got it all sorted out. The rest of the training went well. We continued to share information with them through hands on activities. They learned how to encourage students in their language/literacy development as well as their math skills. During each activity, I could see how much fun they were having as they took on the role of a student. I'm praying that they hold on to that memory and create an environment where their students see how fun learning can be too.

I want to give a huge shout out to Rachel, Kate, Julie, Sarah, Danielle, and Jeff who did an awesome job entertaining over 40 kids while these trainings were going on. Again, it's been so encouraging to see how our team supports one another. Their willingness to sing songs over and over with the kids kept the distractions to a minimum during the trainings. That was a huge gift to the CHE's to be able to focus like that.

Back at the Academy, we continued with our same after school activities as yesterday. Apparently, the Bible Rap Off's were even more intense today. These students can really throw down the Word of God to a beat. They were also able to learn some more hip hop and fitness moves today.

Tonight, it was another great night with the students. We were able to pray over another Matric (grade 12) and spend some time learning about how God is our Confidence. Danielle led an encouraging devotion about this and it opened up lots of discussion about how we can sometimes doubt God's plan for our lives. Again, you could see the Spirit moving and encouraging the students to ask questions about their future and God's truth for their lives. After ending the night with the students, the team had the opportunity to have dessert at Clive and Di's house. They have blessed the team in so many ways while serving as Academy and Retreat Center Director, and they have become our team's South African mom and dad. We were able to pray over them and just affirm how important their role is here and how big their hearts are for serving this school.

We wanted to share a special moment the two of us had today. Both Kim and I were able to spend some one on one time with our students that we sponsor here at Bridges. It was a great opportunity to bless them today with some ice cream and conversation. We're both so thankful that God has called us back to Bridges again this year to continue to build these relationships that have been growing over the past few years. It was a time of laughter, but also, a time for us to go deeper individually with these girls and encourage them. This afternoon was a gift and answer to prayer for us. Oh, yeah, we let Russell and Goodwell crash girl time too (but not our photo shoot). The three of us just wanted to celebrate how God has brought these three specific students into our lives. We're very thankful for the special time we got with them today.

Answered Prayers and Rainy Days

Hey people it's Russell! 

Hi Dad and Mom, I love and miss you guys! Driving has been a blast, and I can't wait to tell you how amazing it has been here!

Well, needless to say God has been moving powerfully over our team and over the academy kids! Many prayers have been answered, but more to that later!

The day started off with an early and rainy morning. Although it was gloomy, we all enjoyed the rain and time to bundle up in warm clothes! We all headed over for the Wednesday chapel meeting down at the academy where Kim spoke about anger and forgiveness. She did an amazing job, and you could feel all the kids paying attention and staying attentive to what she had to say. We spent the day tidying up the retreat center, and then, it was time for us to begin our after school activities with the students. Danielle, Taylor, and I headed up the Bible Memorization/Rap/Sing off battle where the students had a set amount of time to memorize a Bible verse, and perform it for us, the judges. It was so rad! A couple of the groups really brought the heat by rapping, playing beats, and danced with the limited time we gave them. We had to have a tie-tie breaker because they were so great! A double tie breaker! The students also brought the heat in their hip-

hop dance class with Ellen and Rachel. Students also participated in a fitness class with Sarah where they definitely learned how true, "No pain. No gain" is. Finally, in true rainy day activity spirit, Abby led the students in a game of Spoons.

After dinner, Sarah taught the nightly devotional with the students and did amazing! She also shared on anger and how God is her Healer. The kids responded positively and asked some great questions during response time. After that we headed into a classroom to pray over one of the grade 12's (matrics). We've been doing this to bless the students that are soon going to graduate from the academy. We prayed over one student tonight and got some powerful words and pictures for him. After we prayed, he asked if he could receive even more prayer. The prayers for him then shifted into a time of asking God for inner healing for him. It was just another example of how the Spirit has been moving here in the students. Please continue to pray for students hearts to become responsive to the Spirit and for our team to step out in obedience to what we're hearing during those times. 

Finally, I just wanted to share a personal story with you about a prayer that has been answered in my life. I have been praying and journaling for God to appoint me a younger high school guy that I could hopefully connect with, in hopes that I could possibly pray for or just simply hang out with during the two weeks we are here. Well let me tell you, He answered! 

First off, each grade was assigned to write welcome letters to a couple of our team member and the grade 8's ended up writing a welcome note to me. Remember that for later. This kid, Goodwell, came into one of the group activities I was helping in and I could notice there was something different about this kid. Different in a sense that he reminded me a lot of myself. We started to hang out during the week and throughout the daily after school programs. I finally had to ask God what He was up to, so I prayed and journaled about it. Kim then got a hold of a list of students that were not sponsored yet, so I frantically asked if Goodwell was on that list. He was! I was super excited and prayed about it that night hoping God would answer me quickly! After talking to the staff about the opportunity and further confirmation, it couldn't be more clear that Goodwell was placed in my life for this exact reason! I soon got to tell him that I needed to have a "talk" with him and he got a weird look on his face but agreed. Let me tell you, the excitement was building! That next day I reminded him that I needed to have a talk with him. I said that hanging out with him and getting to know him has been awesome, but there was a certain something that God has been putting on my heart lately. I then told him that I knew he didn't have a sponsor, and that from now on that I would be sponsoring him! His smile and expression was literally indescribable. He then gave me a huge hug and said that he had been praying for this moment for years! After walking back to the academy, we said our goodbyes until dinner, and he started jumping, skipping, and screaming! Being the emotional wreck that I am, this made start bawling my eyes out. The feeling and immediate effects I was having on this amazing kids' life was, and still is, unforgettable. 

Remember how I said that the grade 8's wrote me that welcome letter, yep you guessed it. Goodwell is in grade 8! Coincidence, I think not!

GOD IS GREAT!

Please continue to show the love by responding our posts, and continually praying for our team! We love you all and thank you for the constant support!

After telling Goodwell that I was going to be his sponsor 

Kim and Yanga, one of the Matrics

Rachel and Nwabisa, one of the star performers from the Bible Rap Off

God Is My Rock

Hi Dear Family and Friends- This is Jan and I am the Senior member of the team by several decades!

We have had another day here to Trust in the Lord and not lean on our own understanding. Some of us went into Sweet Home today (I keep calling it Sweet Water in error due to my incredible ability to mess up words). We met with some of the CHEs and Danielle did a very informational workshop for them on First Aid and CPR. We also had the opportunity to do a home visit and pray for a man raising his four children after the death of his wife.

Our spirits are good and our prayer times together are encouraging. We have found our prayer times to be really moving and we are trusting on the power of the spirit more and more. We have made prayer a even bigger part of what we are doing here and as a result we are praying for students, staff, house parents, each other and anyone that we encounter. The remainder of our team stayed here at Bridges to do some organizing and chores. We had our afternoon workshops with the great Bridges students. Russell led us in line dancing and we all had a blast. The big hit dance was the Wobble and we got everyone up for that! We also had an Art workshop for the students and offered a Spiritual elective for students who wanted to dig deeper with the Rock Harbor prayer model. A couple students showed up for the elective and it was encouraging to see their desire. Even after the elective ended, some students came to Kim and Danielle and asked for more prayer. It is amazing to see their willingness to pray for one another and also receive prayer.

Evening Devotional was taught by Taylor and he did a great job sharing his story with all of the Bridges Kids. God is my Rock was his theme and he was on fire! The students were receptive to what Taylor was speaking about and God's words appeared to resonate in their hearts.

Each day is fast and sometimes the pace is a little furious, but our team holds each other together and the Lord is giving us strength every day. Your prayers and comments mean so much to us.

P.S. I have to wish my sweet daughter Hannah a Happy Birthday! Happy 20th Hannah, I miss you and love you. Have a super great day!!!

Church and Prayer Training

Jared here!  

Sorry for the delay in reports but we were all so tired last night!  

Let me start by saying yesterday was one of the most unforgettable days for me.

Due to transport issues the students do not attend a church on Sundays so when teams come we have the privilege of doing church service together.  I had the opportunity to give the message, which was something I had been looking forward to since we got here.  My message was about suffering and how we serve a suffering savior who came to this earth and experienced pain just like us, for us.  I had planned to speak on this topic already but throughout the past week it became apparent how relevant this topic would be as we had a student lose a brother, another an aunt and another share with me about anger and thoughts of suicide.  The topic was relevant and very sensitive and I began to feel that weight.  Before starting the service the team prayed over me for about 10 or 15 minutes and I experienced the Holy Spirit in a way I never had and just started to cry.  We were already behind schedule so I tried to pull myself together and get the service started.  Worship just made me feel more emotional and as I started to speak and explain why I looked like a mess I started crying AGAIN!  You're probably all feeling as awkward reading this as I felt standing up there.  Eventually, we got to the message and the Spirit really moved!  All of the students were so attentive and at the end we had a response time where about 8 students made either first time commitments to follow Jesus or rededicated their lives!  It was AMAZING!

That great morning was followed by an unbelievable afternoon.  We did a two hour prayer training where we walked through the Rock Harbor prayer model and then practically pray for one another.  We talked through the "Why?" and "How?" of prayer and then before starting the practical we did something pretty unconventional for academy programming.  We told the students that this next portion was completely optional and we only wanted students to stay if they were fully committed to confidentiality and really going for it in the practical.  Thus far this has been the only optional class they've had and the room cleared out.  There were about 5 students left and I was left feeling disappointed.  As we began to circle up students started to come back into the room until there were 25 students (half of the student body)!  The culture here is very private and repressed and no one shares about their feelings or likes to show vulnerability.  We took a leap of faith and asked if there was a student that would like to be prayed for as we go through the prayer model.  Silence... awkwardness... more awkwardness... finally, Unathi, a grade 12 volunteered and stepped into the middle.  We explained that this is not practice or just pretend but we are actually praying for Unathi and invited everyone to participate.  As we started to pray it was mostly just our team at first but then a student shared a very powerful picture.  It was tough to see how Unathi was responding to the different pictures, scriptures and words because she was hiding her face so much but then she just started sobbing.  The room completely changed after that.  Most of these students have been through such incredible hardship and have shared how they don't trust anyone to share this stuff with and it was like hearts were getting cracked open and there was a huge release.  We then split up into groups of three where students and team members took turns praying for one another.  One by one they started to receive and then cry.  It was one of the most powerful times of ministry I've ever been a part of and to know how important it is to them to hide their emotions and vulnerability made their reactions that much more significant.  As we concluded there was such a joy and excitement that filled the room!

Sunday concluded our first full week of ministry and we enjoyed dinner with some of the long term missionaries, the Kamalskis and the Babbs.  We also had today off to stop by one of the local game parks to see some animals - it was a much needed day of rest as our team was really run down.  Tonight as we all reflected on the past week we were all struck by the powerful ways we've seen God move, especially through prayer.  Prayer has been such a significant marker for us ever since we all went through prayer training together and has continued to unite us as a team.  I would ask you guys to please pray against spiritual attack and spiritual warfare in the community of Sweet Home and at Bridges.  I've experienced spiritual warfare here unlike anything I've ever felt before and know that there is a battle for this place.  I can see God softening hearts and I just pray that there continues to be an openness to the spirit.  Back in Sweet Home tomorrow!

Thank you for your words of encouragement and for praying for us!  Your comments make our day!  :)

Here is a team pic from a day off!

Quick update / Full stories tomorrow!

Hi family and friends!
We have had an AMAZING and crazy busy day filled with Church, prayer training, and dinner with the chaplain and long term missionary from Rock Harbor- Chris Kamalski. We have a 6:30AM call time tomorrow morning...eeeek so early... so, we will wait to tell you ALL about our day in tomorrow's blog. Thank you for your prayers and support! We love you all!
Mom, Dad and furry friends how's it going?  I miss you! <3

Julie

CHE Retreat

Hey family! Chalane here. Someone apparently made a mistake because with the weather we're having there's no way it's winter here! God blessed us with another beautiful and warm day to start the CHE retreat. Late last night the CHE's arrived, army of kids and all. The team split up to speak to the academy students and the CHE's while others took turns attempting to occupy the CHE's children. Though the kids were a handful - the language barrier didn't help - they are so cute (pictures to come!). There were moments when all the kids were crying for their mamas but we wanted to offer the CHE's a chance to relax and feel taken care of. I'm not sure how we would have survived without Ellyn's magic way with kids and all Jeff's experience. The first block of the CHE retreat was awesome! Russell's lesson in encouragement came with a feet washing for the CHE's from him, Rachel, Sarah, Jared, Danielle and Karissa. The women were so overwhelmed that they decided to then return the act of washing feet. Rachel mentioned it was a highlight moment of the trip so far: to see the body of Christ serving one another. Jeff and I spoke at the second session of the retreat: I spoke on identity in Christ and Jeff on spiritual gifts. At one point we gave the women a discussion and share time which led to an interesting debate about animal sacrifice. Just FYI many Christians in South Africa struggle giving up ancestral worship and traditions, including animal sacrifice. Since the topic is clearly important but also very sensitive, it was awesome we could open the door to addressing rituals. And even though I was leading the session at the time, I was so grateful that Taylor, Jeff and Kate were there to help answer questions and offer scripture to back up our claim that animal sacrifices are no longer necessary. It was clear the Holy Spirit was with us helping us because things were a little tense and intimidating but I'm so glad we pressed into it together. You can be praying for the CHE's (and the students) to find a balance between culture and following Christ!

While the CHE retreat was going, Abby shared her testimony with the academy students and talked with them about trusting God with your body. This is a really big topic for the students so Abby's openness in sharing was really impactful. Jan did a great job speaking later with them about trusting God and how each of us as Christians are leaders (the kids adore Jan). After hanging out with the kids later at the bon fire (we even had s'mores!) they unanimously expressed how much they enjoyed the speakers and their stories they shared. We pray all the devotions and lessons we do with the students really gets their wheels turning. And we want to continue to pray that the students can learn to trust each other and the staff enough to share personal things so they can receive prayer and guidance.  Plus there's healing in talking and many of the kids don't feel they have anyone they can really share big stuff with. But we're gettin' there! 

We ended the night in a really neat way by getting to pray for Sisanda, who recruits and trains CHE leaders and runs after-school programs and support groups for orphans in four different townships. In other words, she does A LOT to serve God and is still incredibly joyful and kind despite her enormous work load! AND she's a mother. She just looks at you with the love of Jesus. It's truly been a blessing meeting her. Please pray for her! Pray that God would continue to be her strength and would bless her abundantly for all the good work she does. Being the saint she is, Sisanda expressed how much this retreat meant to the women and even said they feel like "princesses." Pause for tear. What a day of blessing and being blessed!

Thanks for all your prayers and support! And please do comment - we all love to hear from you :) The encouragement means so much!

Love you all,

Chalane.

True Talents

Hey Everyone its Jeff,

      Today marks a week from leaving home and also the big talent show. (FYI our team has been working on a dance routine for weeks and we Brought It!) Ill get to that later.. We put together an appreciation lunch for all the staff here at Bridges. We had all the students take time to write words of encouragement to each one and gave it to them over salad and pizza. It was the first time we had the opportunity to really meet and get to know the staff. This team of teachers and administrators not only sacrifice many comforts, but have devoted themselves to these kids to give hope in Christ and a future outside the townships. They give them confidence to move beyond their own expectations. Long story short.. THEY ARE AMAZING and deserve much more than what we can offer.

 As I mentioned, tonight was the big talent show. So much fun! We have been practicing a dance routine to One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful". We received a standing ovation (even though I personally stood in the back and pretended to know what I was doing) The students got to share their talents tonight with us and blew us away! These students have talent that needs to be seen and heard beyond the gates here at the Academy.

      After the talent show we had a dance party in the dining hall. Taylor and Russell led the kids in the "The Wobble" and the students started a drum line on the tables. I joined in to show my mad table drumming skills until I found out there not supposed to drum on the tables.. Sorry Bridges Staff! While the others were dancing I looked around the room and found one of the students who wasn't dancing. When I asked him why he wasn't dancing he didn't respond. I could tell that something was wrong and didn't feel apart of the group. I picked up a notepad and a pen and sat next to him and in my best Simon Cowell impression I said "Absolutely Dreadful!" I got a smirk and he joined right in. After he grabbed his own notepad, we turned the dance floor into an audition for our own talent show. We had the best time scoring everyones dance moves and even pulled people aside to ask "Why do you think you should be the next star of our new show?" Definitely made a new connection tonight and cant wait to follow up with him these coming days.

    Tomorrow marks the first day of the CHE retreat and we spent the rest of the night getting together notes and materials for the weekend. We would love prayer for all of us who are teaching The CHE's and the students this weekend. Pray for open hearts and open minds to the teachings. That we are filled with the Holy Spirit while we deliver the wisdom and hope of Jesus Christ. We love you all and love your comments and encouragement. Please respond so we can hear from you. We look forward to reading your comments every night.

Cant wait to write about tomorrow! Talk to you soon,
Jeff

 

     

Day 4: Building Bridges

Hey there! Karissa and Danielle here (we both want to shout out to our loved ones...We miss you and love you!). Today was another beautiful day in South Africa. God has truly blessed us with perfect weather so far, we were all in t-shirts (and some even in shorts)!

This morning we went to Sweet Home again, and this time Russell, Karissa, Sarah, Rachel, and Danielle shared about Jesus' Life, Death, and Resurrection. After hearing the story, we invited the kids into a prayer to accept Jesus into their hearts! For the rest of the time in Sweet Home, a group of us stayed with the kiddos and enjoyed singing songs, dancing, playing games, and just having a good 'ol time. We have been blessed with a team that works well together, willing to help out whenever needed. While they stayed back, the five of us, Kim, and three CHE's (Community Health Evangelists) went on a home visit to one of the shanties a few blocks away. This shanty belonged to a man and woman and consisted of a small "home" with a dirt floor, wooden benches, and one twin mattress in a corner. With next to nothing in their possession, they were so welcoming to us, inviting us to sit on all their benches and chairs. Here we were able to pray over a woman with a lesion on her right knee and a man who was still feeling ill after a major surgery. Their openness and vulnerability with strangers was a special moment where we could feel the Lord's presence. The people in Sweet Home are very receptive to us and in deep need for love. Even the smallest acts of kindness mean the world to them. During the past three days, even with a language barrier, our team has been able to form special bonds with these children. After two days of searching for the unforgettable smile, Rachel was reunited with her "screensaver" kid from two years ago. Kate too made a special bond with a child, Azele, who has come back each day to Kate's arms to hear about Jesus (she might just come home with him in her suitcase). As we left the township, our hearts were broken as the kids ran after the cars crying.

This afternoon was filled with another day of after school activities, including baking, latin dancing, dodgeball, and of course, BUNCO! Needless to say, it was a very fun and tiring (for us leaders) afternoon! During our devotions tonight, Jan shared her testimony and was able to break through to some of the students. She provided an opportunity for the students to open up to us and talk about how faithful God is during hard times. Through her powerful story, God was definitely at work building trust between us and the students. We (Danielle and Karissa) were talking to a group of girls during small group time, and when we asked them questions about times in their lives where they saw God's faithfulness, they shut down. We have no idea about the constant struggles and hurt they face. Tonight we also learned that in the South African culture that it is unknown to share feelings and talk about what is going on in one's life. In fact, journaling is foreign to South Africans because of the fear of someone reading their stories. In a further attempt to break down these barriers, Danielle asked them, what they think about us when they see us? They told us that we have perfect lives, we drive nice cars, and have a great place to live, and this hit us like a ton of bricks. I think all of us would agree that these kids have asked us "the right questions", the questions we ourselves don't want to answer. We have come here to minister to them and yet they are the ones ministering to us. Please pray that seeds would be planted and that we would not be discouraged but rather rejoicing in the fact that God is victorious!

At the Academy, they have "house parents" who look after the kids, cook meals for them, and speak into their lives. Since we arrived here on Sunday, we have all noticed what a difficult job this would be. These house parents are in charge of enforcing the rules and thus are under appreciated. However, despite their challenging role, they exude joy and love the kids with a Christ-like love. Our team has been blown away by how well they care for these students. Tonight we had a unique experience to pray over the "house dad", Mthobeli as he headed home for some much needed rest. In one of our activities, Karissa had the students write encouraging notes to the staff at Bridges. One student said that Mthobeli "seeks God until the end of this universe". It is such a blessing to be able to support the staff and come along side them in prayer.

Our last thought to share with you before we try and grab a few hours of sleep is a request. We ask that you would pray for Bridges. Pray for the spiritual battle going on here for both the hearts of its students and for the work that the Lord is doing here. God is reigning in this place and with that comes unhappiness from the devil. He is hard at work to try to thwart God's plan. Pray for our team as we face these battles and pray for the students. They have gone through more than we can even imagine and the wounds are deeper than any of us can see, only God knows the depths.

Tomorrow is the start of a busy weekend full of retreats for both the CHE's and students! God has so much planned and we cannot wait to see what He does! We have so much planned and would greatly appreciate a showering of prayers- for strength, health, energy, and more of His Spirit. We are so thankful for your support and prayers! We miss you all!