Ok guys, there is so so much to fill you in on and after deliberating on it for awhile I’m going to do something I originally didn’t want to do but I think I simply have to in order to get some “Backed Up” info laid out.
So I’m gonna fire this off in a bulletin style update. This isn’t about eloquence, its about INFO.
-I stay in a bunk with the six other guys and I got a lotta love for em all.
Davie Ingram, Tyler Bussanich, Matthew Hussey, Andrew Anderburg, Ryan Carmichael, Kevin King.
Please take a look at all of their blogs.
-Jeffreys bay or JBAY is a major surf town
-Money exchange is very high
-There is a gym
-Street kids are all around, especially us guys (they call me “Batista”)
-For those who don’t know Batista is a wrestler and I get it a lot here
-Three main Cultures in Jbay are;
The black’s which are Xosa. The “x” is a “k” sound in english but really it is a click. Very Cool. Almost all of my personal ministry has been with this interesting and awesome culture.
The colored’s who speak Afrikaans.
The whites.
MINISTRY
-Monday to Friday we do Discipleship in the mornings and then in the afternoon our own Ministry
Wheres there’s been a fire.
that happened a week ago.
And there’s no money and no help and there’s a huge hole in the roof.
And 3 kids.
and you never would have known.
And you know you can help.
Yes this happened and its testimony to the spirit is real and not alone. There is much to say of Jesus’ work on this team.
Beat The Drum
-This community has some of the highest HIV statistics in the world
-The outreach was based on values and the undeniable need for the Holy spirit in living a Godly life
-I taught a grade ten class with three others
-Almost all are sexually active and are greatly misinformed about the dangers of this life style
-There are so many cultural and spiritual things working against these kids every day
-It was a difficult week, I was very nervous and it was tough to get going but God is faith full and it turned out amazing
-Many kids gave their lives to Jesus
-At the end of the week our team and all the kids had an opportunity to be tested for HIV/Aids
-Scared me to death. Honestly. I’ve made a lot of bad choices before. I was negative however some of these kids were not.
-I spent the week staying with a Xosa family in the community. Mr and Mrs Xaluva.
-We are all very tired.
I will have an entire new blog shortly regarding my own walk with the Lord. There are some very big questions I’m wrestling with and I don’t feel there’s enough clarity to comment on it just yet.
Please Pray for;
-The kids involved in beat the drum. They will need your support to push on and stand up against this disease.
-Against the taverns and Alcohol abuse
-My team’s energy, unity, and ministry. Personal pursuit of The Lord above all the “Mission” stuff here in Jbay.
-My leaders energy, guidance and wisdom.
-My own questions, growth, communication, pressure, reading, Sleep, wisdom, sacrifice and discipline. To be confident. Take risks.
Learn to LOVE MORE and MORE.
I know this post is a bit different but I feel it was really necessary just to answer a broad spectrum of inquiry.
I want you all to know that this is amazing.
I am growing. God is moving. Things are up and down and He remains our support line. I am being challenged spiritually all the time. I’ve been blessed to play drums three times since i got here! Praise.
Praise Him. He is so, so good to His people.
Love you all,
Blair.
I am inspired by the work that the Holy Spirit is doing in your life right now. As I read on about what you are going through and where God is taking you it becomes quite clear that this journey is about building trust, faith, love and so much more. It also seems perfectly clear that you must be there, not simply for those whom you are helping but for yourself. Isn’t it wonderful how God uses such journeys to perform his work on others and to perform his work on the person who is on the journey all at the same time!! How perfect, how awesome. Know that our prayers are with you our brother in Christ!! So many are praying for all that you are asking and for your safety as well. It is true that you are missed by many but I cannot help but feel that you are exactly where you are suppose to be right now!!! Blair may God be with you and all your team. Embark on your mission confidently, understanding that God is in charge and that it is all for the Glory of Him that you go. And as you learn to discern his voice and as you learn to trust him in a way that you could not possibly imagine may it fill you with confidence, may it motivate you and nourish you and allow you to grow. God Bless you and the team you are apart of.
I’m so excited to hear more about what you have been doing. We are praying for you everyday!! That your faith in the Lord would continue to grow. He is a great Lord and Savior! He has His hand of protection on you as you go about His work! Be blessed!!
You are missed – but it is so wonderful to hear how God is using you!!
Awesome to hear what has been happening with you and your team. Sometimes mission trips are not just what God is doing through you but His deep work within you. That deep work is so good because your Heavenly Father loves you sooooo much that He is committed to changing you from the inside out. He uses every experience in our lives…the good the bad and the ugly and weaves all the loose ends into a beautiful tapestry. The back of a tapestry looks messy and just a bunch of colours but the picture on the front is beautiful. He will use every experience, every challenge, every heartache, into a colourful tapestry that is only Blair. Be confident in Him Blair as He will never leave you, He wants the best for you, and He will complete the work He has started in you for you are His treasured possession. You and your team are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hey, dude, sorry to say that this is just the first time I’ve read your blog. Will be better about that in the future.
Just wanted to let you know that I’m so proud at how you’ve been digging in since Day 1 here. You have been drawing closer to Him and He promises that He will draw closer to you. Thanks for letting me walk beside you on this. I can’t tell you how much of an honor it is. See you when I get back from my trip.
P.S. You got some mad writing skills, by the way. And did you take the pictures yourself that are on this blog and your FB page? Man, you’ve been holding out on me! 🙂