I'm in South Africa and I am safe!

So I am in South Africa and safe. I apologize for not posting something sooner, but I have had little Internet access. I am currently writing this from an cozy Internet cafe!

We have been in South Africa for 5 days, but to be honest it feels a lot longer. I think it has something to do with adjusting poorly to the time difference. A 16 hour flight kind of messes with you. Not a ton of exciting things have happened so far, we are just settling into our new home. All five girls are living in a house together, and the boys are still looking for housing. We have spent a lot of time learning how we will work as a team, and that's important. Its been great getting to know everyone, and although I love spending time with the 8 other people here with me, I am stoked to get to know students on campus and the families at Beam.

Everything is going great so far. I am so excited to be here, and I can not wait to share about the students we invest in and the kids at Beam! Tomorrow is our first day at Beam, and Saturday we are meeting with student leaders on campus to organize some events for first years students to get connected. I am so excited to meet the students and learn more about their lives. I plan on updating my blog soon after. I look forward to sharing me experiences with you very soon.

Please let me know how I can be praying for all of you. Talking to Lord about you and for you helps me feel more connected to home! Also, please feel free to email me any questions about my time here. If you are curious about something and don't feel like I am sharing enough about it, please email me and I would love to be more specific. I want to share my time in South Africa with you the best I can. Thanks again for your love and care! I am thinking of and praying for all of you.

All my thanks,

Amanda

Here are some ways you can be praying for our team:

1) The boys are still looking for housing, it has been a struggle to find a house close to where the girls are living. We are asking God to provide a place for the boys that is close to us for safety reasons, as well as for our unity as a team.

2) Our first day with Beam is tomorrow, and we are stoked to serve the families and the kiddos. Our hearts are to serve and love everyone at Beam with all that the Lord has given us. Please pray for us as we prepare to go and for our time with the kids.

3) Saturday will be our first time with the college students. We want to love them well and develop relationships with them. Can you please pray that we would meet some first year students who we can connect with over the year? This time is crucial for connections with students who we can invest in over the year. I can not wait to see what the Lord has planned.

Thank you!