Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year

The last two weeks have been non-stop for the A-Team. Two weeks ago we were at a weeklong youth conference called Teen Street. There we worked as the service team. Our responsibilities were to prepare meals, run the evening coffee shop, and facilitate different activities. We were on the go from morning to night and it definitely took a lot from us mentally and physically. However, I have learned some valuable lessons as to what it looks like to be a servant not in the things you do, but who you are as you do them.

Due to some careless planning at the conclusion of Teen Street our team left for a rural outreach in Limpopo Valley. It was a week of ministry packed days. Everyday we traveled to a different village helping a local team put on an end of the year celebration for their weekly kids program. In the African culture not much preparation is done in organizing events. Our day started in the morning with a march through dirt road in the village while the bus in front of us shouted with a megaphone inviting people to the service. Then we went to the church and…waited. Waited for the children to go fetch water somewhere, build a fire, heat the water, and bathe.

When all of the children came the music began. I have experienced something like this only once before in India, the repetitive track. The same four songs played all week and went something like this “Heavy load, heavy load, God is gonna lighten up your heavy load” (repeat 8x) and “I am so glad Jesus took my sins away, he took my sins away, he took my sins away” (repeat 8x). We went outside and danced from the road, around the church, then danced in the church for about 45 minutes to the same songs. Later we played some games, which were again dancing games. After games we had praise and worship time. During this time we danced some more to the same track. Then the sermon came. In the rural villages the louder the better, so for an hour we listened to a loud passionate African man preach the gospel. We concluded the program with…you guessed it more songs and dancing. The same program was repeated for a week.

Needless to say, we are all in need for a vacation. In only two days the A-Team will be heading to Capetown to spend 10 days relaxing on the beach. I really look forward to this break as a time of replenishment mentally, physically, and spiritually. I am often being stretched very thin and high expectations are set to perform at your peak, especially when it comes to ministry. Somewhere in that I lost focus and priority for the things that I need to continue pushing through. It is strange not being home with my family and friends this time of year but being in the middle of summer tends to take away the holiday spirit. So, thankfully I am not feeling sad from being separated from home this time of year. My dad will be here in three days, joining me for a week of my holiday in Capetown. I am very excited to see him! I hope everyone back home has a wonderful Christmas and enjoys it to the full.

Isaiah 9:6
“For to us a child is give, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Prayer Points:

1. Nothing will hinder our time to relax
2. We will get recharged spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically
3. No members of our team encounters homesickness on Christmas

Love, Adam