Hey everyone! Dumela means hello in Swana, one of the 11 languages of South Africa, none of which I have mastered very well. I have spent a week in Africa now and don't know how I ever lived without it. It is absolutely beautiful here and dry!!! Praise the Lord for no humidity JSo story time maybe? I'll go in sections.

If you want to send me mail (hint hint) you can send it to:

P.O. Box 1284

Ifafi, South Africa

0260

Training Camp:

Amazing?!?! We opened everyday in worship and a concert of prayer which was great because God was literally the strength I ran off of. Lack of sleep mixed with awesomely long days equals a tired Chelsea. The bunk beds were three beds stacked up no mattresses just plywood, the Lord was my comfort. The showers were refreshing in the afternoon simply because they were a hose hooked up to a pipe that ran water colder than outside and it got a little cold. (I never took a morning or night shower). Don't take any of this as complaining it really was a lot of fun and made me appreciate running water. That week God definitely showed up. He really just prepared my heart and mind for where I was about to go. He's been showing me new things about living life with Him means. But I could spend three pages on training camp and you would never hear about Africa, so I'll stop.

South Africa:

We are staying right outside of Pretoria, about an hour out of Johannesburg, at a place called Alabanza. It's a like a camp, but you live in complete community with our team, our leaders and Alabanza staff. The FYM house is right outside of Alabanza, like a two minute walk. Imagine 40 college aged kids in one house, two toilets and 5 bedrooms. Ya, I love it! We have so much fun. My team is the epitome of cool and we have truly bonded in Christ. I will post pictures as soon as I can.

An day in South Africa looks like this: Breakfast at 8, personal quiet time to read, pray, have your discipleship or anything else from 8:30 to 9:30 then morning sessions (which are awesome) until noon. At noon you grab a sandwich and pile ten people in seven passenger vehicles and go off! Then we come home at dark (5) have some time until dinner at 7, eat some amazing food, then worship until about 8:30 and lights out at 11.

This week has been about surrender and giving it up. God has been showing me to let go of my security and trust completely in Him and His strength. Please pray that I will continually make Him my stronghold.

Ministry in Africa: This past week I worked in a township (basically a neighborhood) called Escomm (spelling?) We worked at a cresh (preschool) with an amazing lady called Mama Jenetti. I met some of the most beautiful children ever! I worked a little bit in the cresh, but the first day this little boy, Alee, caught my eye out in the street. I went out and started playing with him and before I knew it ten kids were all around me. All I did was blow bubbles and it was awesome. The next day (wed.) I went back and was able to build those relationships. A little girl named Chizale (Kay-za lee) stole my heart. I have a picture with me and all the kids, but no ability to post it. In each township there are Sagomas or witch doctors. When a baby is born they tie a string around their belly or one of their wrists to "protect" it from evil spirits. There is a lot of ancestral worship, so they call on the ancestors to protect the children. Spiritual warfare isn't any bigger in Africa than in the States, it's just a lot more out in the open. These children as babies are placed into demonic situations and it breaks my heart. At least half the kids in the cresh had strings around their bellies and Sedzani, a little girl I fell in love with out on the street, had one as well. It hurts to see that people here rely so heavily on spirits that only want to hurt them when Jesus is stretching out His hands towards them. Yesterday I played with the kids out on the street all day. Please pray for them! Annike, Dudu, Innocent, Travis, Sedzani and her little sister, Chizale, Elizabeth, Christen (Kristin), Angel, Alee, a neighbor girl whose couldn't talk so I have no idea what her name is and the other children who are just happy that someone wants to play. My hope and plan right now is to go back to Escomm and continue and strengthen relationships there. I love it!

Support Update: The Lord ALWAYS Provides.

I currently have $6,777 in my account with about $2,000 in pledges! Thank you to all my supporters. I have thank you notes but limited access to a post office, so please just know how much I appreciate all of your support, thank you so much! Thank you for your prayers, I truly feel like God has protected us and kept us safe and worked in all of us.

Prayer requests:

The people of Escomm- that they will see that Christ can protect them and be so much more than any string or spirit.

Team: Spiritual warfare is hardcore and we are learning so much about the authority we find in Christ.  Please pray that we never forget where our strength and unity comes from.

Next week: We are going into Swaziland tomorrow for about a week. The AIDS rate there is officially about 47% but that is only the people that have been tested. About 60% of the country in infected with AIDS. Please pray for out ministry that we will know what to say by simply allowing the Lord to speak through us.

I love and miss you all! Sorry if I forgot something

Chels