Baie Dankie (Thank you very much :)

It’s hard to believe that December has arrived, and that in a few days I’ll be heading back to Nashville! For the past 5 months, “December” has meant…THE END. Not “the end” in a bad way, but the end of a beautiful chapter in my life. So of course, this has gotten me thinking and reflecting back on all that God has done in my life during this time.

Cape Town has dropped some wonderful and unexpected gifts into my lap. I could go on and on for hours, but I’ll try to narrow it down to a few that are at the front of my mind today (if you’d like the long version, let’s chat over a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha). Ok, here I go…

1. Summer has finally come to Cape Town---I thought it would never get here!! Praise God that we've gotten to see the beautiful Cape Town weather that everyone here has been talking about…even if it is right before we leave.

2. Zana and Natalie-- that God has allowed me to share this life-shaping time with 2 amazing friends…SO OVERWHELMING!! They have become so dear to me and God has used them to shape me more into His likeness.

3. Traveling--God gave me opportunities to travel around South Africa to see more of this BEAUTIFUL country! And we got to go see one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World---Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe!!

4. That my mom and aunt got to come to see and experience life as it has been for me in Cape Town!!

5. Simple things--Rooibos Tea, Cadbury Chocolate, Whole Wheat Rusks, Ms. Balls Chutney, and Sweet Chilli Sauce (these delightful treats are some uniquely South African staples that have become a part of my life…if you’d like some samples, I’ll be bringing plenty home).

6. I’ve been able to walk through the streets and into homes in the communities here---people have graciously and without question invited me into their lives.

7. Kids--I’ve been hugged on, tackled, kissed and loved by the most beautiful children that I’ll ever find in the world. Dirty, sticky, bare footed and full of life…they have taken a piece of my heart.

8. God has allowed me to speak truth into people’s lives, restore hope, and open their eyes to God’s love and purpose that He has for their life.

9. I've been able to build relationships with people who have an amazing and contagious passion for their community, and have heard stories and seen first hand how God is ALIVE and ACTIVELY working in Cape Town.

10. He gave me a “family” here---this consists of a random group of American missionaries and a couple of South Africans. It’s been so wonderful that God provided us with “family” away from home.

11. YOU—OH MY GOODNESS---YOU---Your faithful prayer and support have been AMAZING gifts to me over these past 5 months. God has blessed me so much to have a small army lifting me up in prayer, encouraging me along the way, and supporting me financially. I could not have come to SA or kept going without your faithfulness to me!!

That God loves me so much to give me this RICH AND FRUITFUL experience is completely humbling and overwhelming!! I have been changed...and I hope that in some way, you have too. It has been my hope that God would use this time to transform us all more into His likeness. We are all responsible for what we’ve seen, read, and experienced of South Africa and her people. Now we must decide how we will live in light of these things…

I know that this is only the beginning of the changes that God means to bring about in my life. The journey continues…

Please accept these scattered thoughts as my TOTALLY insufficient way of saying thanks to you for being a part of this exciting journey. God has used you in a POWERFUL way in my life, in the ministry of Living Hope Community Centre, and in Cape Town.

What a gift you are…

See you soon…

Laural