Redefining Missions

Redefining Missions

     The first week here in Jeffreys Bay was difficult. It was such a drastic change from Swaziland where we had no WiFi and no distractions; there was really nothing to do but spend time with the Lord and each other. Having that much free time was beneficial for so many reasons, but far from the reality of what I’ll go back home to, and what everyday life looks like for me.
      Coming to Jeffreys Bay was like going home. It was so similar to home that all I  thought about the first week being here was, ‘I might as well be home because this doesn’t feel like a mission trip anymore.’ We suddenly had WiFi everyday, were surrounded by amazing food and shops, and our flat is beach front. Even in that first week when I lost sight of the purpose of being here, I knew God would use Jbay to redefine what I thought missions was. I didn’t know how, but I prayed that growth and new revelation would come out of it, and it has.
        It seems that when people go on missions overseas they begin to operate out of a different confidence and boldness than when in their home towns. At least, I do. It’s so much easier to pray for the sick and tell people about Jesus on the other side of the world. So, coming to Jbay has brought the world of missions and home together into the same picture. Whether it was going house to house or sharing my story with people, it has constantly pushed me out of my comfort zone and expanded my box of what I thought following Jesus looked like.
      Week after week I’ve been given the opportunity to share my story in front of people, something I didn’t think I had before this trip, whether it was to my team, in front of a small class or in front of 400+ students. Standing up and speaking in front of people has never been my first choice, but in repeatedly doing so it’s given God so much more space to be the only thing I have to lean on in a moment where I don’t have a plan or know what’s going to happen at exactly every second.
        Another thing here in Jbay is the community. While our team was here for the month we worked alongside a ministry called Global. They have a school, ‘Global Leadership Academy’ that we got to go to and help teach and do whatever they need. One week night,  our hosts and a couple others came over for a Braai,  or what we would call a Barbeque. That night they surrounded our team and poured prayer, words of encouragement and prophecy over us. It was such a clear picture of what the Body of Christ was meant to be and the kind of community I desire to surround myself with.
      I’m so thankful that this place has made living missions everyday a reachable and attainable thing. Not something that’s far off and impossible. Again and again it keeps being simplified and everything that makes it complicated fades. Because the truth is that the vision Jesus has for us is so simple. To love eachother and walk in his love and grace daily.  I’m excited to come back and find new ways and new space, in what seems like such a routine life compared to this, for God to work and show up in my life. 

 

    -Sandra J.
     

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