JOIN IN - PARTNERING FOR TRANSFORMATION IN SA

The Last Three Months

​For the last three months I have been based in Cape Town South Africa, where I have been completing and helping to facilitate a Children at Risk School (Course) with Youth With A  Mission. One of the most impacting weeks for me was the teaching on Community Development. I've always been someone who loves the bigger questions behind the immediate issues. It was great to grapple with these issues... I want to feed and cuddle a hungry child, but I also want to know why they're hungry in the first place and what can we do to empower the community around them to make sure the children there aren't hungry. ​This teaching has opened the door for next steps...

The Options for What's Next

Emerging out of this intense course, there are a few options on the horizon for my next role out with YWAM Muizenberg including...
  • The main option that I'm sensing to pursue which is staffing and/or leading the second level schools I've been (and hope to go) through, specifically the Children at Risk School and the Community Development School. (The latter takes place in September and I hope to join the school, with a view to become a pioneering leader of the school to multiply it into other YWAM locations over the coming years. The Community Development programme in YWAM seeks to answer these big justice questions and to work with whole communities to see them flourish in all areas of their functioning and identity as beautiful humans made by God.)
  • Connected to but possibly separately, is an opportunity to work with the training team  at YWAM Muizenberg more broadly in the coming years. They have a new vision to equip and mobilise 1000 young missionaries annually for the next ten years. It's a huge vision, and would be exciting to be part of.
  • I also have the opportunity to get involved in a local impact ministry - the Dignity Campaign as a strategic development worker. The Dignity Campaign delivers vital education to children, particularly around the menstrual cycle and understanding of puberty and sex. The girls are also given reusable pads to use because so many of them are using dirty rags or newspapers. As well as the education day, there is a discipleship course and a mentorship program. The campaign has been picked up by a couple of other countries, so now there is a need to develop a way to roll it out internationally. I have been asked to think and pray about having a role in that.
  • I also hope to serve locally on a front-facing project such as the one in Lavender Hill I was volunteering at over the last few months. I'm exploring some options around child care of vulnerable children but more to come on that when I get out there. 

Moving to Cape Town

My hope is to relocate to Cape Town on a temporary residence visa in August/September after I lead a short term team from my Birmingham Church (Anchor) to Durban in mid-August. This relocation feels big and scary and in terms of logistics - almost impossible. I was feeling a bit anxious about this when I looked back over this year's journal and found a note on January 1st where I had spent some time praying and sensed God saying this was the year to believe for the impossible! 

How You Can Help...

If you've made it this far, thank you for reading! I would love your help to make this relocation a reality and join me in the story of what God is doing in South Africa and beyond. There's a number of ways you can do this! I'd be so thrilled if you would pray about partnering with me in one or more of the following ways: ​
JOIN MY
REGULAR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TEAM

This is my main area of need. ​I need to increase my monthly financial support by £400 to get a visa.  In the UK I have been able to freelance and work to supplement the missionary support, but that is not an option in SA. I know finances are very tight for so many people,  but even a small gift makes a big difference. Could you consider giving £5, £10, £20, £25 or £50 per month?
MAKE A ONE-OFF
​RELOCATION DONATION

​Moving country is no mean feat. Visa costs, medical checks, health insurance, shipping some of my belongings, buying a car (to stay safe and generally exist this is essential), an annual pass to Kirstenbosch (the only place I've discovered I can be out in nature alone and safe in SA) etc etc. I'm selling a lot of my things here, including Neal my beloved Kia Rio  but will still be a way off the costs needed to relocate. 
BUY A
​ T SHIRT

​My very talented friend Peter has designed a small motif or two that I am delighted to announce have been put on a range of t-shirts by way of a fundraiser to help with the move costs. Check out the Tees here! A small percentage of the cost comes to me :) 

Stay Connected...

Join My Prayer-Vine prayer Team

Prayer vine is a prayer communication app for missionaries. You don't have to join the program unless you want to, you will just receive emails with prayer requests as I send them out. 
Join my newsletter update email list

I send out a monthly email with thoughts and musings from the previous month's ministry and work, 
Join my WhatsApp SA Update Group

For the little and more frequent updates, you can join my WhatsApp group - and don't worry - it's admin posts only so you won't be bombarded with messages :)