The first time I have ever been aware of God speaking to me was probably only two to three months ago. Amanda introduced that card with all those questions and explained that as friends and being in community we need to be able to confess our sins to one another. She went on to explain that we need to be vulnerable and open in order to grow. It brings back memories of the first time we both met Amanda when she did her talk on "Mental Toughness". Even though she was given the topic of "being tough" she concluded that in order to be strong we have to be weak. Mark 10:35-45 "...whoever wants to be first must be slave of all" "For even the
Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as ransom for many." From that point on it's quite clear now that God was trying to get through to me. But never the less I carried on with my life thinking I must have disappointed those other Americans who I thought were dying to help people become saved but "unfortunately" I already was...What closed minded thinking...God must have been pulling his hair out in frustration watching me...lol. Never the less, God got through to one of us and I am so thankful that it was my best friend, you Jade :) From that day, when we were both asked a series of questions about our faith, God started working in your life and I could see it, even though I didn't take it in. It was God's plan that you would seek him first, through Campus Crusade and Amanda, can you imagine if both of us had been like "yar yar we are Christians, we fine thanks" we both wouldn't be where we are today. Later, I kept thinking "wow I'm so glad God sent Amanda to show me the light..." meanwhile back at the ranch God was working through one of the closest people in my life, slowly but surely pulling me onto the right path. Don't get me wrong, God had been working through a lot of people to get through to me, especially Amanda. But the only time I became aware of it was when you became involved in Campus Crusade and with all walls broken down and completely vulnerable asked God to put you on the right path and asked Amanda to help you grow. Basically, you lead the way for me and I am beyond thankful for this, it you hadn't where would I be now... The concept of being weak and vulnerable before God really struck a chord in me that had been vibrating since the talk Amanda gave. I would find myself thinking, "I thought as Christians we are meant to be strong and steadfast? How am I suppose to be a steadfast Christian if I'm weak and vulnerable?" Then God gave me the answer, Psalm 51. The night my eyes were opened to what God wants for me was the same night I smsed you the verse. Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart..." This came to me because instead of just cruising through life I was pushed to make a decision on fasting and I didn't understand the sacrifice God wanted me to make. When we, as Christians, are pushed to these certain points in life is when God speaks to us. Not only did God give me the answers to "why I should be weak and vulnerable and why I should fast", he put all doubt out of my mind by confirming his word through Amanda. I asked Amanda to meet up so we could talk about the whole fasting thing and that I had decided to do the Daniel fast, and as we were talking she thought of a verse. The verse she turned to and read was Psalm 51:17. I was so overwhelmed at that point; it will be a feeling I will never forget. From that point on I truly believed and still do that I am one of the most vulnerable and weak people, and I love it! I praise God each and every day that he opened my eyes and heart to what He wants. I also thank God for working through you in the same way. We laugh A LOT together, but I never thought we would be able to cry together, and to have a friend like that is all thanks to God. It also makes things clear now why people think we sisters, because we really are sisters in Christ. As cliché as it sounds, no matter what, you will always be in my heart and be one of the closest people to me. I pray that God keeps working through you and Amanda, as He has been, and that he doesn't only reach me (which I know wont be the case!!) but that he uses you to touch many people’s lives and bring them to know our Savior Jesus Christ.
You are blessed and I love you lots
Jess
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ...”
-2 Corinthians 5:17
UKZN Students and ULCC Made New:
In the last two months, we’ve had the privilege of seeing the Lord bring together the movement at UKZN and the efforts of Ukukhanya Life Care Center (ULCC)! Our prayers from the beginning were to see the two ministries come together to serve the Kingdom...and God answered. The Center is still in its development stage, and unfortunately they’ve come across several setbacks in the last year and half, making it nearly impossible for them to open. Recognizing these obstacles, UKZN students clearly expressed their desire to serve, but were unsure how they could help. As we brainstormed different ways to be involved, we considered the Center’s greatest need, and found that it was something we could provide. To complete renovations and open this year, ULCC needed hands and willing hearts to help. It seemed to be a perfect fit; they had a need and we could meet it. The committee decided the best way to serve ULCC was to organize a workday for students at UKZN to help rebuild the center.
We set a date and started announcing our plans, hopeful that students would come. We showed up on Saturday expecting five or so students to join us. We were shocked to have fifteen students show up for our first workday! God clearly had bigger plans. ULCC needed hands, and the Lord provided. With so many students we were extremely productive. That day, we painted seven rooms, the sanctuary, and replaced several windows! As we assigned jobs, each student joyfully accepted their task. It was a full day, but the students never tired. I was humbled by how joyfully they served. Smiling and without hesitation they completed their jobs. For many of them, it was their first time serving in this capacity. As I walked around center I was overwhelmed with joy as I listened to these men and women sing worship songs as they labored for the Kingdom. It reminded me that this workday was about working for something eternal, and that our efforts that day would produce fruit that would last!
While the workday itself was a great pleasure to be a part of, my favorite part of the experience was hearing the students tell everyone about their time at ULCC in the days to follow. At Bible study, girls shared their excitement for the work they completed and eagerly expressed their desire to go back! It wasn’t long before the committee was planning another workday.
Two weeks later, twenty-five students joined us for our second Saturday! Students at UKZN who have never been involved with CCC showed up to serve. Once again, God certainly had bigger plans! Again, students eagerly accepted the jobs assigned to them. Our challenge that day was to relocate a donated tunnel garden. Before excavating the old location, we needed to clear a concrete slab that was covered in rubble. For hours the students moved cinderblocks, bricks, and trash to clean and clear the area. As we worked we literally saw transformation happening, not only on the center but in the hearts of our students! In the process of making this Life Care Center new, God was also changing the hearts of the students who were serving. They were experiencing, some for the first time, a taste of Christ reconciling the world back to Himself, in every way.
The day was packed and although countless tasks were completed, there was still a great deal of work to be done before the Center could open. The students wouldn’t leave without organizing another day to finish the job they started. A week later we were back at ULCC, this time over thirty students joined us! It was our last opportunity to complete the work the Lord had sent us to do. In only five hours we painted four rooms, demolished and painted the kitchen, replaced all the windows, painted the new bathroom, painted security gates and windows, and began moving furniture into the finished rooms. We had the privilege of seeing the Center drastically change in only three days! The best part is, the change that happened in those three days goes far beyond the physical. Each student was changed as a result of participating in this partnership. I joyfully watched students discuss their relationships with the Lord together, sing worship songs, and express to everyone at ULCC their hearts to selflessly serve for the Kingdom’s sake. ‘The old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor 5:17) The physical changes to the Center are important, but not nearly as important as the change the Center will stand for in the months to come. ULCC will be a great blessing to Ntuzuma!
Originally, we planned one workday at ULCC with five to ten students attending. Three Saturdays and over thirty students later, ULCC is ready to open its doors. The Lord clearly had bigger plans! It was humbling to see students so eager to serve. God took their willing hearts and gave them all the tools they needed to participate in the Lord’s action to make all things new, including themselves!
Growth and understanding: “I did a 180”
The Lord has swept the UKZN campus this semester, causing students to grow exponentially in their fellowship with Him and with the community around them. There are countless stories to share about seeing the growth in these students’ lives, but one in particular stands out.
Jennifer and Rose got involved with CCC after attending the camp we held in June this last summer. The two casually accepted an invitation to the camp from a friend, who was actively involved with the movement. Little did they know, it would be a turning point for both women. They have never taken their faith seriously nor ever pursued a growing relationship with the Lord, until that weekend. It was there that they felt the presence of the Lord and experienced solid community for one of the first times. They certainly left the camp differently than when they came. Eager to experience growth and understanding after the camp, Jennifer and Rose joined a Bible study that I would be leading the next semester. Each week we met and made our way through the gospel of John. In our times together we had the chance to ask questions and process through what it means to develop our relationships with Jesus. Each week the girls showed up with new questions. They were interested, but something was missing in their exploration.
A couple weeks ago our National Campus Director, Jackie Bland, visited the UKZN campus. During her visit, the committee planned a gathering with Jackie as the main speaker. The theme of the get-together was “I did a 180.” Jackie was asked to speak on what it looks like to surrender all areas of your heart to Jesus as you let Him turn your life completely around. She shared with twenty plus students how to move from being a casual Christian, to an active follower of Christ. Sitting in the front row that day were Jennifer and Rose. As Jackie shared her heart for Jesus and the work He’s done in her life, the girls listened intently, occasionally nodding in agreement. After several stories and examples of the transformation Christ has done in lives of many people, Jackie concluded her talk with a challenge. She asked each student to consider if they were truly letting Jesus turn their life around. Boldly, she said, “Have you done a 180?” It was encouraging to look across the room and see so many students seriously contemplating their answer to her question.
After the talk, I approached the two girls and immediately could tell that something had hit them. Our discussion was brief as the girls had to rush off, but they left eager and excited for our next Bible study! The next week I asked the girls to share their thoughts and before I could finish my sentence, big smiles stretched across their faces. Interrupting each other with overwhelming excitement, they shared with me the truth they had discovered from Jackie’s talk. Jennifer explained that she had realized what was missing in her relationship with Jesus. She was casually following the Lord and not actively pursuing a relationship with Him. Rose explained that she had felt like something was missing in her relationship with God as well, but until listening to Jackie’s talk she never knew what it was. Both women realized that they had accepted Jesus into their hearts at the camp, but hadn’t surrendered their lives to his control. With huge smiles on their faces they both said, “I want to do a 180!”
I can't believe it, but we are closing out our time on campus. Our team has two full weeks at UKZN and we only have three weeks left with Ukukhanya Life Care Center (ULCC). It been a very busy semester and the Lord has worked in ways I could have never dreamed before. It has been both a privilege and an honor to watch Christ work in the lives of so many men and women! It is a bittersweet feeling to be closing out our time in bible studies and in discipleship. As I look back its amazing to see how God has used the students to change there campus for the Kingdom. We have so much to be thankful for. Since the camp five girls Bible studies and two guys Bibles studies have been meeting weekly, there have been three successful work days at ULCC with thirty plus students serving, we've welcomed in a new leadership team just last week, and most importantly, the students at UKZN have grown in their intimacy with Jesus. There are so many exciting stories I want to share! I can't wait to sit down with all of you when I get home and tell you the many things I haven't been able to share with you over the year. For now, I wanted to let all of you know that we have just over a month remaining in our STINT year. I wanted to fill you in on what our last month holds, and ask you to join me in praying for our last 6 weeks in South Africa.
The next two or three weeks we'll spend most of our time on campus finishing up the year. Our last day on campus is the last official day for lectures. The following weeks the campus will shut down for a study break and for the exam period. So, the next two weeks is going to be an very busy and emotional time. We hope to continue to meet with students and spend good time with them if they have any free time during their study break. We hope to be a good support to them as they enter into their exam period and care for them well in their last few weeks. Our last day on campus we hope to have a social to end the year celebrating all the Lord's done in this school year. There is a lot to celebrate and be thankful for!
Here are some praises and prayer requests for our last few weeks on campus.
Praise:
Prayer:
Once we finish on campus we are left with a couple important tasks. We need to start closing out the lives God has built for us here, and prepare for the incoming STINT team. We were the first STINT team to come, but we are certainly not the last! After closing out our campus times we will spend a couple weeks in Durban closing out our lives and preparing for next years STINT team.
Here is how you can be praying for us in this.
Praise:
Prayer:
Once we finish closing out our lives here in Durban we are meeting up with the Pretoria team in Cape Town to start our debrief for the STNT year. We will spend time with some national staff at a debrief conference in our remaining time. After we finish our debrief we are back on a plane to make it home in time for Thanksgiving!
Here is how you can be praying for our Debrief time.
Prayer:
Thank you so much for all of your prayers and for all of your love and support. I hope this update gives you a good idea of what our last 6 weeks is going to look like. Thank you for joining with me in praying for my remaining time, it means so much to me. I just want to say thank you so much again for all you've done to send me here this year. It's an honor to serve Christ with you, here in South Africa.
God Bless,
Amanda
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need”
-Hebrews 4:14-16
He Understands:
This month at Ukukhanya renovations on the center were put on hold and a majority of our time was spent attending to the many physical needs the individuals and families in the community had. Addressing these needs brought us into several people’s lives and gave us a chance to care for them. In our times together, we’ve had the great privilege of getting to know many beautiful people. There is one woman who’s story has captured my heart. This woman, who I’ll call Grace, has deeply challenged my faith and led me into a greater dependance on Christ.
We first met Grace on a home visit with Pastor Prince. We made our way down a small dirt path to a small brick house where Grace’s mother welcomed us. She hugged me and quietly repeated thank you in Zulu, “ngiyabonga, ngiyaonga.” As we introduced ourselves Prince explained to us that earlier in the week this woman walked across the township to Ukukhanya seeking help for her very sick daughter. After exchanging a few hugs and words we walked through the doorway of their little home and met Grace. Her mother introduced us and explained why we were there. It didn’t take long for Grace to open up and explain her families struggles and the help they needed to survive.
Listening to Prince’s translations of their conversation we found out that Grace is twenty-six years old with three children. In their little one room brick home her mother, her three children, and two of her sisters children stay together. All of them sleep on the double sized bed that filled the small space they lived in. The two shared with us their struggle to grow enough food to feed their family in the cold weather and without any consistent income. Sadly their struggles didn’t stop there. As the conversation continued we learned that Grace is HIV positive and had been battling greatly over the last month. Without any source of income, as well as being physically unable to make it to the clinic, she was without proper medical attention for months. Our visit to her home that day was her first opportunity to visit a clinic and receive the medical attention she needed. In previous emergency situations Grace’s mother attempted to push her in a wheelbarrow up hill on the rough dirt roads 4 miles to the nearest clinic. There was no question that Grace and her family needed help. We phoned a doctor at the clinic and took her in immediately. As I helped Grace walk down the narrow dirt path to our car I tried to gather the right words, but our conversation was brief. I asked “How are you feeling? Can I help or do anything to make you feel more comfortable?” She answered me quietly “I’m okay. No thank you, I’m fine.” I didn’t know what else to say. I could only think that in the midst of our suffering nothing compares to the relief and comfort we feel when someone can say, “I know exactly what you’re feeling.” When we suffer we want someone we can relate to and someone who can walk through the mess with us. In that moment I wanted so badly to say, “I know” but I couldn’t.
At the clinic Ali and I sat with Prince while Grace received her first proper medical examination. As we waited, I replayed over and over in my mind our conversation back at the house and on our walk to the car. I looked around the clinic and in that moment found myself asking “God, where are you, and what can I do?” It was clear that this family was suffering in the broken reality of this world, but I would never know the pain they truly feel or experience. In all honesty, I felt inadequate to enter into their lives and care for them, because I would never truly understand what they’re going through. As we continued to wait, I wrestled with these thoughts, and the only thing I could think to do was pray. When Grace and her mom came back into the waiting room we heard from the doctor that her case was indeed severe. From the visit we learned that Grace has TB and arthritis, with AID’s as the underlying cause. We scheduled appointments for her in the coming week, to ensure that she would receive proper medical attention and medication to fight her disease. We left the clinic and brought her back to her home, telling her we would see her for her next appointment.
On our way home from the center both Ali and I were silent the entire drive. It wasn’t until we were almost home that I started to find comfort from the Lord in my confusion. I was reminded of the passage in Hebrews 4. Even though I will never understand the depth of Grace and her family’s suffering, Jesus does. “For we do not serve a High Priest who is unable to sympathize” (Hebrews 4:15). Christ came and suffered in every way to give us the chance to know Him. He truly is the only one who can say, “I know.”
Sports Science faculty: “This bible study is something we have to do!” - Jade
A couple months back I introduced you to Jade Davids and shared her exciting story with you. I’d like to revisit her story and update you on how God is using her to advance the Kingdom today! The Lord’s creative plan humbles me as I look back and think about all Jesus has done in Jade’s life.
In May this year the Lord creatively brought Jade into a relationship with Him. She attended an outreach for Sports Science students, that three of our student leaders, Sbu, Anele, and Mdu organized. These men planned this event after realizing there was little available to their peers for spiritual exploration and growth. Their decision to change that fact started with a survey, which eventually led them to organizing a speaker and discussion time.
Surprisingly, the boys asked me to be the speaker. I was asked to give a short talk on how students can engage their spiritual side while participating in and studying sports. Jade and two of her friends decided to randomly attend after seeing a poster in their class. The three of them sat in the front row that day! The talk was designed to communicate to students that finding success in sports is not about winning or losing, but to find yourself fully dependent on God. I shared my struggle in sports of desiring strength, pride, and power over humility, weakness and dependence on the Lord. Following the talk we had a brief discussion time where students who attended had the chance to process all they’d heard. After the talk Jade stuck around to chat with some summer project students. I remember looking over at her group as I finished a discussion with a few students and seeing the two summer project students praying over her. Tears streamed down her face as she tightly grasped a bible they'd just given her. I’ll always remember that picture. I knew that God captured her heart that day!
Two weeks later I had the privilege of officially meeting Jade and hearing her story at our CCC camp (retreat). When she talked about her new relationship with Jesus you could feel her passion. At the camp Jade expressed a deep desire to develop her relationship with God and others. Once we got back on campus Jade asked me if I would consider discipling her over the next semester. She’d spent her winter break praying through her growth and felt led to both discipleship and sharing her faith with others! So, for the past six weeks I’ve been meeting with Jade, focusing on her growth in Christ.
Our time has been spent praying for the campus, sharing our faith and exploring what it means to live as an example of God’s love at UKZN. A majority of our times together the Lord has put it on Jades heart to do something for women in the sports science faculty. Jade was bothered that there was nothing available to the women in her major. After praying for guidance and direction she felt God calling her to lead a Bible study! She was hesitant at first, but day after day her heart grew heavy for her peers. Setting her fears aside, she asked her friend Jess to co-lead a study with her. Today she is co-leading the first women’s bible study in the sports science faculty!
Jess and Jade’s bible study can be traced back to three men who felt burdened for their peers, and said yes to the Lord’s call. Three men were obedient to Christ and the Lord’s faithfulness is before us! This movement started with a few faithful and obedient men, and today God has used it to bring forward two faithful and obedient women! We truly serve a creative and faithful God.
On Campus:
- There are four women's Bibles studies on campus! Praise the Lord that He has brought so many women forward who want to learn more about Him! Please pray that the women involved will connect with Jesus and His Word. Pray that these studies will be a place for women to develop solid community with God and with one another.
- Jade is taking a huge step of faith and is starting a women's bible study in the sports science faculty. Please pray for her as she trusts the Lord to lead her in this study! Its exciting to see the Lord guide her in giving the girls in her faculty a place to learn about Jesus and His Kingdom through His Word.
- The Leadership team is planning a Social for the end of this week. The hope is that this time will be an opportunity for students to connect with one another and get plugged into activities with Crusade on campus and off. Please pray that students will be available to join us at the social, and get involved in serving their classmates.
Off Campus
- Ukukhanya has had to push back their opening date a couple weeks due to some renovation issues. They've started the construction on some new bathrooms, but the process has been really slow. The main water pipe was broken last week and has set things back a little .Please continue to pray for safety as we move forward with renovations, and pray that things will run smoothly.
- As the students move forward with partnering with ULCC they've decided to schedule at least one day a month to work with the Center. Please pray for these students as they organize their time with ULCC this month. The student at UKZN and the ULCC staff are really excited to come together!
Thank you for all of your prayers over the past year. Its such a great blessing to have so many people praying for our time here in South Africa. I have a special prayer request for one of my teammates Ali. Unfortunately prayer for the physical health of my teammates has been a consistent request over the last eight months. Earlier in the year we had to send home our teammate Dan home after he struggled with a digestive problem. For the last few months Ali has struggled with similar health issues. She's been battling a digestive problem and doctors have been unable to identify it. Its taken a long time to schedule an appointment with a specialist, but she finally been able to. Tomorrow Ali is going in for a procedure that will hopefully help doctors get to the root of her digestive problems. Please pray for her as she enters into the next few days. Pray that the doctors will be able to identify what's going on, so that they can properly care for her specific needs. Pray for wisdom for the doctors who are caring for her and trying to figure out what the real problem is. It will be a blessing to find out what's going on. It may take some time to receive results from the procedure and blood work, so please pray for a quick return on results. In the mean time please pray for her strength and energy as she moves forward.
Thanks you for taking the time to pray for Ali. I am confident that the Lord will comfort her in this time and give her everything she needs. I will update you as soon as we are informed.
Thank you
"Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:46,47
On the project's last day at Ukukhanya, Penny and Prince found it fitting to celebrate all the Lord's provided by making all of us a traditional Zulu meal! This special celebration was organized for the staff at ULCC and our STINT team to properly say thank you and goodbye to the summer project. We arrived on the last day to complete a few projects and enjoy great fellowship with the Ukukhanya staff, but got much more than that. I walked into the kitchen to see a massive feast being prepared. The girls (Phondi, Pretty, and Hillary) had been up since 6AM cooking and running errands to prepare for our meal together. It was an incredible sight. There were women running around the kitchen shouting out commands and assigning tasks to everyone. In the midst of all the craziness was massive amounts of laughter. I so enjoy spending time with the women at Ukukhanya. Their hearts are beautiful, and when they laugh with you life seems a little lighter.I had the privilege of helping them prepare countless dishes. While we were cooking I had a thousand questions for them and they graciously answered. They taught me a couple Zulu words and laughed at me as I tried my best to repeat. It was a great time.
As I spent time with these beautiful women my mind kept going back to this verse in acts. As we prepared our meal this piece of scripture came to life! With glad and sincere hearts these women prepared a meal for us to share in. We praised the Lord for His work, and enjoyed the favor of His people. All of this for the purpose of seeing God's people come back to Him. Isn't that amazing? I feel deeply blessed to have shared in this time with these women. They worked so hard to care for us. With all the passion in their hearts they prepared this meal. It was a great privilege to be a part of that. The Word is living, and we are blessed to experience in our days. It truly is an incredible blessing to be a part of the Ukukhanya family!
Here are some fun pictures of our time together! I got to try some new and exciting things...
(My roommate was nice enough to let me use some of her descriptions... she's the best)
Samp and Beans: a thick type of porridge made from coarsely ground corn (a staple in South Africa) mixed with beans.
Dombolo: big, round dumpling bread (each one the size of m
y head, no joke) that is used to soak all the juices left over from the chicken.
Sweet Potato: delicious! (Left) no need for explanation here...
Amadumbe: another type of sweet potato cooked in their skin in the fire.
Boerewors: huge spicy farmers sausage
Chicken Dust: fried chicken with seasoning (the seasoning is "dusted" on the chicken, hence the name)
Walkie Talkie: chicken feet and head (parts of the chicken that "walk and talk"). Yep, all of it! Everything from nails, beak, and eyes are all still there for the FULL experience.
We had quite the day!
"I will praise you, O lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders" Psalm 9:1
Here is a short list of things we can praise the Lord for. He has done great things! I surely can't list them all, but I wanted to list a few. Thank you so much for your prayers. We can feel your prayers all the way from South Africa :)
I just realized its been a while since I last posted some prayer requests. I apologize for my delay. I hope all of you are enjoying your summers! If you have a free moment, please send your prayer requests to my email (amanda.arias@uscm.org). I enjoy lifting you up in prayer and would love to hear how the Lord is working in your lives. Thanks!
Here is how you can be praying for the movement in Durban.
Ukukhanya Life Care Center:
