Hey, friends! I figure it is time for an update! H squad is currently in Nelspruit, South Africa for debrief! We have been here for almost a week, and will be headed to our next country in about 24 hours! South Africa definitely has a special place in my heart, and I would not be surprised if I returned one day. The people here are so inviting and intentional. Since my last blog we have had parent vision trip (PVT), closed out ministry, said many goodbyes, debriefed, gotten new ministry teams, and are currently getting ready for our next country along with preparing to be back home.

To update you all on the last country, the whole squad is now going to Ecuador. While there was a choice and a split a couple of weeks ago, World Race feels that it is the safest option for us to not enter Romania at this time. This was hard news to hear on both sides, but also such a blessing now that we will all be together again - or will we? Turns out in Ecuador there will still be a split. The Lord was preparing us all along. Due to ministry locations and housing, three teams will be at the main base while the other three teams will be about an hour away Monday through Fridays. There is also a fun twist to teams for the next two months. Each individual had the option to choose which ministry they would be at for the remainder of the Race! So now we have new ministry teams! We have been mixed and matched and will now do team life with different people on the squad. Because of this, there is now a great opportunity to get to know the people around us even deeper. To say the least, I am stoked for what is to come!

PVT week was one to remember. Parents and racers in the same place worshipping, ministering, laughing and crying together was a beautiful sight to see. Some had parents that could experience PVT week with them, while others did not have their parents with them. I was a part of the group that did not have a parent come. The Lord drew closer to me and made it such a sweet time with Him. We also got a surprise during this week. Our very own squad coaches, Don and Heather, flew out early to hang out with the non-PVTers! They loved us so well, spent quality time with us, and were truly there for us. They are so awesome and such a blessing. Throughout this week I got the opportunity to serve the squad and parents, and get to know them and share how the Father has been working in my life. 

At the beginning of the Race I felt as if the Father wanted me to take a back row seat in worship through song, and so I did. I truly believe you can learn so much by being on the back row. The Father has given me a heart for worship leading. I love being able to share my heart while worshiping through song and creating a space for the Lord to move. The Sunday that the parents were here the Lord answered one of my secret prayer requests - this one was one that I did not vocalize to others. That Sunday I had an amazing opportunity to lead worship at church! Having this opportunity initially left me speechless. I was so thankful. In the weeks before this the Lord had been reminding me of my heart for worship. Getting to lead that Sunday and have a front row seat to how the Lord was working and moving brought me to tears of joy. 

Closing out my time here in South Africa has been bittersweet. There were many hard goodbyes, but who knows? The Lord might call me back here one day!

We are closing out debrief now, getting Covid tested, and will get on about four different airplanes in the next couple of days on our way to Ecuador. I am so truly excited for all that the Lord has planned for the next two months! I cannot wait to experience Camp Hope with my mission team and tell you all about it soon!

God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.

Much love from Nelspruit,

KJ