In the months prior to my departure for South Africa, I often found myself navigating through numerous books and passages of the Bible in search of something I could never properly name. Perhaps I was searching for confirmation that my planned year abroad wasn’t just a contrived plan that would give me something to do for a year, but rather a vital chapter in the overall plot of God’s story for my life. I know I often doubted myself in those days, but there was still that voice in my head telling me to forgo the doubts and believe in the plan and purpose set before me. I’ve never believed in coincidence, and the circumstances that led to my final decision were beyond coincidental.

Well, whatever the reason may be, I found a passage that stayed with me until the day of my departure, and a few weeks ago this passage came to mind again when I started to consider next year and the adventures it may bring. The passage is found in the first book of Jeremiah, verses 4-5 and 7-8:

The word of the Lord came to me:
“I chose you before I formed you in the womb;
I set you apart before you were born.
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
….
Then the Lord said to me:
“Do not say: I am only a youth,
for you will go to everyone I send you to
and speak whatever I tell you.
Do not be afraid of anyone,
for I will be with you to deliver you.”

I may not be Jeremiah, but the message he received years ago found its way into my heart and mind also, vanquishing any doubts I bore that may have prevented my future ministry in South Africa from succeeding.  Since then, I have received glimpses into God’s plan for my life and the journeys that lie in store. Of course, I do not know all of them, but that’s part of the adventure, is it not?

A few weeks ago, God gave me a taste of what is to come, and the certainty of that future has been validated again and again since that initial discovery. God’s plan for next year is this:

In January of 2012, I will be returning to South Africa for a second year.

I wish you all could see the smile on my face and feel the shiver that went down my spine just now. Repeatedly, I am astounded by God, His plans, and His provision.  He has blessed me in so many ways since I left those Virginian shores six months ago, and He continues surprising me with each passing day. I guarantee you, He is sitting up in Heaven right now laughing because, I’m sure, the sheer shock on my face is quite a comical sight to behold. I expected this year in South Africa to be a great experience with a lot of lessons learned and fun stories to write home about, but it has turned into so much more than that.

With each passing month, I find myself amazed at the blessings God rains down upon this place. New buildings spring up from the ground like spring flowers, and new projects appear around each corner. There are so many jobs that need doing and projects I want to be involved in that I simply cannot imagine leaving this place. I’ve recently started staying a few hours after school each Monday and Friday with our two oldest students, helping them with their basic schoolwork in addition to one-on-one writing help. Both girls hope to graduate by the end of next year, and I want to be here for that.  I want to help these girls achieve that goal, which means staying with them until the end of the finish line.

In addition, the Lighthouse project, which provides an education and home to local orphans, is about to reach a major stepping-stone at the end of this year as its main building reaches completion.  The Lighthouse will be able to hold 10+ children per “house,” and I want to be here on the day the current five children in the program (Zwavhudi, Shandukani, Solomon, Faith, and Adi) walk into their new home for the first time.  I’ve become very involved in their lives since I arrived here in January, and God has given me an incredible desire to help and love these kids to the best of my ability. Next year will be the first time they will be living in a real home together, and I don’t want to miss it.

A third project I am involved in is a singular one that requires one of my talents: writing. Shortly after my arrival here, Mr. Palmer and I were discussing a book he was writing, and I offered to help him edit it. Well, one thing led to another, and I am now writing the book, combining both my writing and his into one cohesive entity.  Although I cannot go into full details, I will say that the book revolves around the Shayandima School of Tomorrow and Build the Nations, the organization that leads it. God has been working in this place since the moment it was first thought of, and this book is going to tell the world about it. I’m still in the early stages of writing it, so an additional year here is fairly pivotal.

These are just three of the different projects I want to stay involved in, but there are so many other jobs and activities I want to stick around for.  I could do so much here, and I cannot believe God is giving me the opportunity to see these ideas, plans, and hopes come to fruition. God is truly working in this place and in me, and I’m glad I have all of you to share this with.

As I continue with my life here in South Africa, I hope you all will not only pray for me as I continue to discover God’s plans, but also for the Shayandima School of Tomorrow and the people that are being blessed through this ministry. Lives are being changed daily, whether they be within the school, on mission trips, or in outreach projects. God has great plans for this place, and I’m excited to be a part of it.

Here are some specific projects and needs that can be added to your prayer lists:

• Finances for next year. In addition to flight costs, I’ll also need financial support to provide for daily living expenses, mission trips, etc. Usually, $200 can cover a month’s worth of expenses, while $300 covers a mission trip into a neighbouring country. Of course, other expenses always crop up when you least expect it, so financial support is vital to my mission here as a volunteer.
• Mr. Palmer’s book. Despite the many years I have spent writing, I have never written non-fiction book before.  As such, this is an entirely new writing style for me, and I’m having a bit of trouble bridging the gap between fiction and non-fiction.
• The Lighthouse Project.  The main building is in its final stages of completion, but we’re still waiting for the local governmental to give us the thumbs up to proceed with the plumbing system.  Once given the approval, plans can move forward and, just maybe, the Lighthouse kids can move into their new home that much sooner.
• The Shayandima School of Tomorrow. The school is always looking for volunteers to help with the teaching and office work, particularly in the pre-school. We also need a bus that can be used for both the school and the mission base.

I know God will provide for all of these needs, especially with all of your prayers and support.  You all have kept me going since I arrived here in January, and your support and encouragement have been instrumental.  Thank you so much for all you have done, are doing, and will do. I look forward to sharing all of my South African adventures with you over the next year and a half.