Hi! I am glad you found your way here! Let me tell you a bit more about myself.
Who am I?
The million dollar question! I am an optimistic lover of tea, sunsets and good conversations. My family has a cat who thinks she is the queen of the household and a 7 year old dog whom I try teach tricks. Who said that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?
I have always loved people (especially children) and have always found joy through investing in people’s growth. I ended up studying occupational therapy after I left school. I love the profession! I have been working at a small hospital for four years with the BEST colleagues. I have made such good friends in my place of work – I do believe that outside of my family and a few close friends, the people who see me for 40 hours a week know me best – and they have accepted me regardless. What a blessing!
How I found Christ
Of all the things I can thank God for, the biggest is that I was raised in a Christian home. I have loved Jesus since I was a young girl. However, I consider my true salvation to have come at the age of 20. Around that time I became increasingly burdened by the knowledge of how sinful I am, especially in the light of God’s holy perfection. I decided to “up” my religious game by reading more Scripture with ALL the highlighter colours (I had an alarm scheduled for twice a day!), praying more and journaling more. I still felt distant from God and burdened by how sinful I am!! One day, in tears I prayed that God would show me all my sin so that I can deal with it. I sat, bracing myself for feelings of shame and condemnation. Instead I felt welcomed and embraced. The Holy Spirit showed me that because of Jesus’ sacrifice, when my Father looks at me, He sees that sacrifice! He doesn’t see my sin and feel the need to punish me – Jesus took my punishment! God has done everything possible to draw me into a closer relationship with Him. If I choose to focus on my sin and try to fix it by religious works instead of fully trusting His grace, the distance I experience is my own doing, not His. What great freedom and joy that realisation brought!
I am going to Zambia!
The latest development in my life is that I have volunteered as a missionary with the Zambia Project for 2020. I have been waiting for this opportunity for almost four years! I went on my first short missions trip to Swaziland in 2015. As part of the orientation before we left, the leaders showed a video demonstrating how much the world needs Jesus. For the first time, I felt a pull in the deepest part of my heart, saying, “I want to be part of this!” Later, in that same year, I changed churches. I became a member of Connexions Church, Benoni. I joined the church on another short term missions trip to Western Zambia with the Zambia Project. I loved the way the organisation approached missions work and hoped that I could join them. However I was bound to a contract at work. Just as well! The work that God has done in me and the things I have been exposed to since then, has been crucial to prepare me for whatever the future may hold.
I will be flying down to Lusaka and the then taking a bus to Mongu, Zambia at the end of January 2020. The images below provide a overview of where it lies respective to South Africa (scroll left).
What I will be doing in Zambia
I will be working as an occupational therapist (OT) with the Zambia Project’s Village of Hope. This consists of a malnourishment centre, a school and an orphanage. I will be working with the children there. The below video is of Megan, an OT who volunteered previously. It beautifully summarises and illustrates what I will be doing.
PPrayer points
My current season is drawing to an end. Some things that you can pray into:
I will be approaching the congregation in my church to invite them to partner with me in December. I might have to go to other churches as well. Pray that God works in the hearts of people whom He wants to partner with me.
I need to be finishing up my studies. Please help pray for motivation and that all goes well.
Zambia is experiencing a severe drought which makes that people living there are struggling for food. Please pray for them.
For more information on Zambia Projects and the Village of Hope, check out their websites. They also have newsletters that you can subscribe to.
I am excited about what is ahead!! To receive email updates of this blog, please subscribe below. You can also follow my accounts on social media.
Closing thoughts
In the last while, God has been talking to me about trusting His timing. Take two minutes to meditate on the following verse – what is God saying to you?
